Ehingen’s history can be explored through architectural forms and historical milestones. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Ehingen and are interested in cultural history, you can choose between two main themes: the architecture of individual churches and early local and church history. Both perspectives focus on specific details, but they cover different periods.
Church Architecture in Ehingen
St. Stephen’s Church has a Late Gothic core. The single-nave building, with its flat ceiling, has a square tower on the south side; the base of the tower features a Romanesque stepped-gable roof. “Single-nave” describes the layout, while “flat-ceilinged” describes the form of the covering. The Late Gothic core and the Romanesque roof refer to different parts of the building and together create a layered picture of its architecture.
There is also a small, rectangular St. Martin’s Chapel dating from 1690 on the outskirts of Ehingen. In contrast to the different architectural features of St. Stephen’s Church, it is characterized by its simple ground plan and specific date. The two buildings thus offer different architectural points of reference: St. Stephen’s has several named structural features, while the chapel has a rectangular shape and a specific year.
Early Local and Church History
The names Heginga, recorded in 787, and Eginga, recorded in 888, are associated with Ehingen. Finds of row graves are evidence of settlement during the Merovingian period; in addition, the Abbey of St. Gall owned property in Ehingen in the 8th century. The names, grave finds, and abbey property represent different kinds of historical evidence: early place names, traces of settlement, and monastic holdings.
The church records also date back to 787. Records state that in that year the deacon Ato transferred property in Ehingen to the Abbey of St. Gall. The Ehingen branch became an independent parish in 1617. The dates mark different milestones: an early transfer of property and, centuries later, independence as a parish.
In the wider destination of Singen (Hohentwiel)
The wider destination of Singen (Hohentwiel) offers further perspectives on the history, landscape, and culture of the Hegau region. The Archaeological Museum of the Hegau presents the way of life of the people who settled in the Hegau from the end of the last Ice Age through the early Middle Ages. This regional time frame is broader than the records of the names Heginga (787) and Eginga (888) associated with Ehingen: the museum focuses on a long history of settlement, while Ehingen can be traced through specific place names and settlement finds.
In the wider destination of Singen (Hohentwiel), the Hohentwiel Fortress Ruins are a popular excursion destination for history enthusiasts and families. The “Hohentwieler” premium hiking trail is a 7.5-kilometre circular route across the heights of Hohentwiel and around the “Staufen.” Hohentwiel is also a 108-hectare protected habitat for rare animal and plant species. The 7.5 kilometres refer to the circular route, while the 108 hectares refer to the area of the protected habitat.
Another cultural highlight in Singen is the MAC Museum Art & Cars. It brings together classic cars, sports cars, and contemporary art; visitors can experience exhibitions, light art, photography, and temporary exhibitions in modern architecture. Guided tours in and around Singen also include hikes on Hohentwiel.
The Hohentwiel Taxi (route 8) connects Singen station with the Hohentwiel Information Centre via the Rathaus/Stadthalle and Landesgartenschau stops, and runs back the same way. It operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, from 8:05 a.m. to 7:05 p.m., every 60 minutes. If you plan to use this service, check the timetable before travelling.
Go to the overall travel guide: Mühlhausen-Ehingen.
