Kirchen is a destination for travelers who want to combine historic buildings with a regional landscape theme. In the parish church of St. Martin, an 18th-century church building meets a Late Gothic tower; south of the town, St. Joseph’s Chapel commemorates the year 1702. When planning your trip, it is also worth distinguishing these local buildings from additional themes in the wider destination of Ehingen (Donau).

Building history in Kirchen

The parish church of St. Martin tells its building history in two stages. The church building dates from the 18th century, while its tower was retained from a Late Gothic predecessor. It therefore does not belong to the same building phase as the church building, but points to an older predecessor building. Anyone interested in architectural history can use this example to distinguish two periods in a single building. St. Martin cannot be reduced to a single construction date: the combination of a later church building and the preserved older tower makes its building history particularly vivid.

Another historical trace leads to St. Joseph’s Chapel. It stands on a hill about 500 meters south of Kirchen and was built in 1702 by local parish priest Johannes Dreher. The two buildings represent different historical periods: at St. Martin, a tower from the Late Gothic predecessor was preserved; for the chapel, a specific year of construction and the name of the local parish priest have been recorded. This makes it possible to explore Kirchen across different eras without conflating the building histories of the two sites.

Hiking in the region

The Ehinger Stoffelberg Loop offers a regional hiking option. It is known for its wide-ranging views toward the Swabian Alb and Upper Swabia. Open areas alternate with woodland; along the way are mills, the Stoffelberg Chapel, and Blue Quarry Lake. So, in addition to distant views, the route is characterized by the alternation between open countryside and woodland, as well as several named stops. If you prefer to focus on the landscape and stops along the way rather than building history, this offers a different way to explore the surroundings.

More things to do in Ehingen (Donau)

The wider destination of Ehingen (Donau) offers other themes to explore. One local guided tour covers the history of brewing and Ehingen’s beer culture; a tasting is possible afterward. If you plan to join this tour, check the booking arrangements. The tasting is an option afterward, not a firm commitment for every tour.

The Ehinger Fasnet is tied to a specific date: its highlight is a mask procession lasting several hours on Shrove Tuesday. Since event dates vary from year to year, check the date for your chosen year before planning your trip around it.

For cyclists, the Danube Cycle Path is another point of interest in Ehingen (Donau): it passes directly through the town center. Before setting out, check for current route information about detours. The additional themes also differ in terms of planning: the building history in Kirchen can be traced through historical dates, while the tour, Fasnet date, and cycling route each require separate practical arrangements or up-to-date information.

St. Martin and St. Joseph’s Chapel represent the local building history; the Stoffelberg Loop offers a regional hiking option. The tour, Fasnet, and Danube Cycle Path are themes in the wider destination of Ehingen (Donau). If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Kirchen, you can weigh up whether Kirchen itself will be the main focus of your stay or whether you will also plan activities in Ehingen (Donau). To do so, check the tour dates and Fasnet dates, as well as current information about the Danube Cycle Path.

Discover more destinations: Illerrieden, Amstetten, Lonsee, Asselfingen, Nellingen, Nerenstetten, Erbach, Emerkingen.

To the overview of the wider region: Alb-Donau-Kreis.