Pfrungen lies on the edge of the Pfrunger Ried. Nearby are the Chapel of St. Mary and the parish church of St. Sebastian in Pfrungen. Those choosing a travel destination for its landscape and architectural history will find two distinct perspectives here: the moorland on the edge of town and buildings, each with its own history.
Landscape: The Ried and Far-Reaching Views
The Pfrunger Ried is considered the second-largest moorland area in southwestern Germany. Pfrungen’s location on the edge of the Ried provides a clear connection to the landscape. The holiday village above the settlement offers far-reaching views: from there, the vista extends across the vast Pfrunger Ried to the Swabian Jura and the Alpine range. This distinguishes the town’s location from the viewpoint: Pfrungen lies on the edge of the Ried, while the distant view described here is from the higher-lying holiday village.
The Chapel of St. Mary and the Parish Church of St. Sebastian
The Chapel of St. Mary near Pfrungen is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its windows are designed in the Baroque style; a Neoclassical ceiling painting was discovered during renovation work. Remains of walls and a Romanesque window niche suggest that a chapel already stood on this site in the 11th century. The Chapel of St. Mary has been extensively renovated. It is on the road from Pfrungen towards Pfullendorf, right at the turnoff for Illmensee.
Another landmark in the town’s history is the parish church of St. Sebastian in Pfrungen. It is listed in the register of historic monuments as a special cultural monument. It originally dates from the 11th century; it was rebuilt in 1615. When dating the two buildings, the distinction is important: St. Sebastian originally dates from the 11th century, while the building remains at the Chapel of St. Mary suggest that a chapel stood on this site in that century.
In the wider destination of Wilhelmsdorf
Wilhelmsdorf also lies on the edge of the Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried, which is considered the second-largest moorland area in southwestern Germany. There, you can explore the Ried independently on four hiking trails. The starting and ending point of the hike is the nature conservation center in Wilhelmsdorf. The center also offers guided hikes through the Ried; ask there about current packages. Wilhelmsdorf is also an important stopover on the Oberschwaben-Allgäu cycle route. When planning a visit to Wilhelmsdorf, you can distinguish the options by mode of travel: the Ried can be explored on hiking trails, while Wilhelmsdorf is an important stopover on the Oberschwaben-Allgäu cycle route.
Wilhelmsdorf’s buildings include the prayer hall of the Evangelical Brethren, which stands in the middle of the square Saalplatz. St. Anthony’s Church, consecrated in 1999, features modern wall paintings. The Chapel of St. Wendelin stands on the grounds of the Wilhelmsdorf Museum of Rural Crafts and Culture. It was blessed in September 1993 by Dean Heinz Leuze of the Catholic Deanery of Ravensburg.
For the wider travel overview: Wilhelmsdorf.
