St. Sebastian’s Chapel gives Balgheim a tangible cultural and historical connection: its history spans renovation in 1894, renewed decorative painting in 1907, and relocation in 1988. When planning a trip, it is worth distinguishing this local connection from the broader themes of the destination of Tuttlingen. There, landscapes, natural phenomena, trails, and museums offer different points of interest.

St. Sebastian’s Chapel: Renovation, Decorative Painting, and Relocation

In 1894, St. Sebastian’s Chapel in Balgheim underwent extensive interior and exterior renovation. The decorative painting was created by the artist Martin from Munich. Church painter Rauch from Saulgau renewed it in 1907. These two details record different works: the extensive renovation and the later renewal of the decorative painting.

In 1988, the chapel was relocated with minor alterations. Its furnishings, including figures by Kuolt, were preserved. Originally, the chapel stood on the B14. Its history thus distinguishes structural changes from the preservation of its furnishings as separate chapters.

Landscapes in the Broader Destination of Tuttlingen

The Tuttlingen district covers 734.4 square kilometers and extends across the southwestern foothills of the Swabian Alb, parts of the Baar, and the valley of the Young Danube. In the northern part of the district are juniper heaths and the region of the Ten Thousanders, with ten mountains over 1,000 meters high. The Danube breakthrough valley and the Höwenegg volcanic crater are among the district’s scenic highlights. White limestone cliffs also rise above the Danube Valley.

These names represent different landscape themes within the broader destination: the juniper heaths and highlands in the north, the Danube Valley with its limestone cliffs, and the Höwenegg volcanic crater. Those interested in nature and geography can therefore focus on the specific landscape features named, rather than treating them as a single destination.

Trails and Natural Phenomena

The Danube Sinkhole between Immendingen, Möhringen, Tuttlingen, and Fridingen can look different from day to day. In some places, the Danube carries a lot of water; elsewhere, it is completely dry or carries only a little water. Anyone wishing to experience this natural phenomenon should take its changing appearance into account.

The premium hiking trail “Donauversinkung” runs between Tuttlingen-Möhringen and Immendingen. The final section of the Albsteig leads over Rußberg, Bettelmannskeller, and Nonnehöhle near Wurmlingen directly to Tuttlingen. For both routes, it is advisable to check conditions before setting out. At Rabenfels in the Bära Valley, the climbing areas between the “Mister Wendl” and “Gebrüderweg” routes are open from August 1 to December 31; the current regulations should also be checked in advance.

For cyclists, Mühlheim an der Donau is directly on the International Danube Cycle Path. The route leads to the Danube’s mouth at the Black Sea and can also be ridden in short stages. This offers a different way to explore the region than the hiking and climbing routes mentioned above: the cycling route is specifically designed to be ridden in stages.

Museums and Culture in the District

The Neuhausen ob Eck Open-Air Museum features 25 historic buildings. They were dismantled at their original locations, moved to the museum, and restored there to their original condition. On the upper floors of the Künstlerhaus Scharf Eck in Fridingen is a museum about Hans Bucher, a painter of the Danube Valley; his life and work are presented across three floors. Be sure to take seasonal opening hours into account when planning a visit.

The Upper Danube Valley Museum in Ifflinger Castle features changing special exhibitions and permanent exhibitions on the history of the town and local rule, archaeology, Fasnacht, and more recent history. The three museums have different focuses: historic buildings at the open-air museum, the life and work of a painter at the Künstlerhaus, and changing and permanent subjects at Ifflinger Castle. This makes it possible to choose cultural activities in the broader destination of Tuttlingen according to personal interests.

Discover more destinations: Fridingen an der Donau, Durchhausen, Tuttlingen, Buchheim, Dürbheim, Schura, Böttingen, Trossingen.

Back to the broader travel overview: Tuttlingen.