Lehningen has a picturesque, village-like and welcoming feel. Its architectural gem is the small Catholic Church of St. Ottilia in the centre of the village. For a more active perspective, the short “Lehningen Loop,” with its two very steep climbs, offers a different focus.

Church and Village Scene

The small Catholic Church of St. Ottilia stands right beside the road towards Hausen. Its imposing tower stands out with a distinctive roof of colourfully glazed tiles in a diamond pattern, as well as arrow slits in its walls. Remains of the defensive wall, demolished in the early 1980s, can still be seen.

The branch church of St. Ottilia was built around 1500 as a choir-tower church. Following extensive restoration in 1746, artisans from the Allgäu decorated the interior with rich ceiling stucco and three altars. The construction period and later furnishings mark different phases in the building’s history. In a choir-tower church, the choir is located in the tower.

Cycling Tour and Chapel Trail

The Lehningen Loop is a short cycling tour, but it is also characterised by two very steep climbs. Its short length and gradient profile should be considered together when choosing a route; the fact that it is described as short does not mean the climbs are gentle. The tour is suitable for mountain bikes.

The Biet Chapel Trail offers a different focus. It runs along the ridge between the Nagold and Würm valleys and passes numerous impressive chapels and churches. In the Lehningen section, the branch church of St. Ottilia is listed. While the climbs and bike type guide the choice of the Lehningen Loop, the Chapel Trail draws attention to its ridge and sacred sites.

Art in the wider destination of Tiefenbronn

In the wider destination of Tiefenbronn, St. Mary Magdalene Church offers a distinct art-historical focus. The church was donated and was first mentioned in the first half of the 12th century. It has five late Gothic winged altars, including the high altar by Hans Schüchlin, dating from 1469, and the Magdalene Altar by Lucas Moser, dating from 1431/32. The latter is devoted to the themes of remorse, penance and conversion. The high altar is one of the most significant winged altars in southwestern Germany. Its large retable, with wings painted on both sides, a predella and a superstructure, is designed as a Marian and Passion altar.

The Gothic choir of St. Mary Magdalene dates from around 1350 and has a high ribbed vault. The valuable stained-glass windows were made in Strasbourg in 1370 and supplemented by Emil Wachter in 1976. The most important treasure in the church’s treasury is a Gothic tower monstrance by the Augsburg artist Jörg Seld, dating from 1500. Tours of St. Mary Magdalene can be booked by prior arrangement through the parish office or by contacting Annemarie Gindele on 07234 4211.

To the overview of the wider destination: Tiefenbronn.