Gutenzell-Hürbel can be explored through a variety of very different attractions: Baroque rooms at Hürbel Castle, the art of the former monastery church, the Herrschaftsmühle mill with its technical features, and a circular route through meadows, fields and woodland. This brings architectural and church history together with a practical way to discover the landscape on a loop trail. When planning a stay, you can choose which of these themes to focus on; the Wendelinus horseback procession also provides an annual event in September.
Hürbel Castle and the Herrschaftsmühle Mill
Hürbel Castle was extended in the Baroque style in 1723, with elaborate stucco ceilings, parquet flooring and a balustrade staircase made of black oak. The historic interior is largely preserved in its original state. It includes stucco ceilings dating from 1727, old doors and floors, and rare wallpapers from 1785, which were restored in 2016. These dates place various details of the building and its furnishings in their historical context. Interior visits are possible only with permission or by prior arrangement.
At the Herrschaftsmühle mill, an architectural detail meets a practical use of technology: its 500-square-metre roof is covered with handcrafted pantiles. A small turbine now operates its own power station in place of the former water wheel. Its distinctive features thus range from traditional roofing to electricity generation. If the current operating status is important to your visit, check in advance whether it is operating.
Church art and recurring events
The ceiling and wall paintings by Johann Georg Dieffenbrunner in the former monastery church in Gutenzell depict key biblical scenes: the “Last Supper,” the “Manna Miracle” and the “Wedding at Cana.” There is also a cycle of paintings of the apostles. The choir contains elaborately dressed reliquaries of Saints Christina and Justina. The biblical scenes on the ceiling and walls thus stand alongside the reliquaries in the choir.
A Baroque nativity scene with around 100 figures is also displayed in Gutenzell Parish Church. It can be viewed in the side aisle daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the fourth Sunday of Advent until February 2 (Candlemas). Since visits are limited to this seasonal period, it is best to confirm opening times in advance.
Another seasonal event is the Wendelinus horseback procession. It takes place every year on the third Sunday in September and marks the end of the year’s major equestrian processions in Upper Swabia. The ride begins at noon, when the bells ring at Gutenzell Parish Church, and passes through the village and across the woods and fields of Gutenzell to nearby Niedernzell. A pilgrimage Mass is celebrated there at the Wendelinus Chapel. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the exact date in advance.
A circular route through woodland and fields
The Gehren Loop starts at the “Laubacher Weg” car park in Gutenzell, runs past the sports grounds through meadows and fields, then passes through the “Laubacher Esch” and “Gehren” woodland areas before returning to its starting point. You can discover different plants in the two woods. The routes therefore differ: the Gehren Loop returns to its starting point, while the Wendelinus horseback procession continues to nearby Niedernzell.
Additional cultural attractions in the wider Biberach destination
In the wider Biberach destination, the Upper Swabian Museum Village of Kürnbach presents six centuries of history. More than 30 historic buildings offer insights into everyday life in times gone by. Also in the wider Biberach destination is the Steinhausen Pilgrimage Church, built by Dominikus Zimmermann and his brother Johann Baptist Zimmermann from 1728 to 1731. Steinhausen lies on the Way of St. James, which runs from Nuremberg via Nördlingen, Ulm and Biberach, and continues through Bad Waldsee, Weingarten, Einsiedeln and Le Puy to Santiago in Spain.
Discover more destinations: Königshofen, Dettingen An Der Iller, Oggelshausen, Kirchdorf An Der Iller, Bad Schussenried, Erolzheim, Langenenslingen, Laupheim.
View the wider travel overview: Biberach.
