In Holzkirch, buildings and landscape tell of different historical periods. At St. Barbara, Romanesque and Late Gothic features can be distinguished, as can a later upper tower storey. Remains of a prehistoric rampart are visible at the Kletthalde. For visitors choosing this destination, this provides a clear theme for their trip: historic architecture and archaeological traces, complemented by a distinct perspective on the landscape.
St. Barbara: Several Building Periods in One Place
The solid west tower of St. Barbara has loopholes. Its bottom four storeys are Romanesque, while the upper storey dates from 1783. The nave and choir also display distinct yet interconnected features: both are Late Gothic; the choir has two bays and a polygonal shape. “Two-bayed” describes its division into two bays, while “polygonal” refers to its many-sided shape. The nave also has a wooden ceiling dating from around 1486.
These details do not point to a single construction date, but instead present a layered picture: Romanesque tower storeys, a Late Gothic nave and choir, a wooden ceiling dating from around 1486, and the upper storey from 1783. What appeals to architecture enthusiasts is precisely the opportunity to consider the different features separately, rather than assigning St. Barbara to a single period.
Local History and Traces in the Landscape
Holzkirch was first mentioned in a document in 1362. In 1385, the town came into the possession of the Free Imperial City of Ulm. The two dates mark different historical points: the first documentary mention and the later change of ownership. This gives the town’s history a short, clear sequence without conflating the two events.
A different kind of historical connection can be found at the Kletthalde in the northwest of Holzkirch’s municipal district. Remains of a prehistoric rampart are visible there. The semicircular stone rampart runs along the slope above the Trutteltal, which leads into the Lonetal. This description connects a specific edge of the terrain with the course of the valley and places the visible traces in their landscape setting.
The Alb-Donau district as a broader thematic setting
Beyond the local architectural and landscape features, the Alb-Donau district offers its own regional setting for culture and nature. Near Schelklingen is the Hohle Fels, a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the site where the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Geierknochenflöte” were found. Both finds are around 42,500 years old. In Blaustein, the Stone Age village of Ehrenstein is a Neolithic settlement in the Blau valley and part of the transnational serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.”
The monasteries also represent different historical periods. Obermarchtal Abbey stands directly above the Danube and acquired its present form between 1686 and 1795. Blaubeuren Abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1085; today, it consists mainly of Gothic buildings dating from 1466 to 1510.
The region’s walking routes differ in length and character, helping you choose a suitable tour. The 20 “Ice Age Trails” circular routes are 6 to 14 kilometres long and are suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Ice Age Tracks” range from 1 to 6 kilometres; the Contemplation Trail is designed for multi-day tours. The themed cycling routes range from the 75-kilometre “Ice Age Valleys” tour and the 115-kilometre “Berg Bier Tour” to the 186-kilometre “Alb Valleys” cycle route, which has been awarded four stars.
Discover more destinations: Ehingen, Ă–pfingen, Schelklingen, Ulm, Dietenheim, BerghĂĽlen, Lonsee, Griesingen.
For the overall travel overview: Alb-Donau district.
