Anyone planning a stay in Mengkofen will find a tangible historical landmark in the parish church of the Annunciation. Its construction history, frescoes and tomb plaques connect several periods. Also adding their own character are trails in the municipality, the heated outdoor pool in Puchhausen and the Aitrachtaler folk festival. Church history, outdoor activities and events thus offer distinct focal points for planning a trip.
Baroque traces in the parish church
The parish church of the Annunciation in Mengkofen was built in 1717 by Franz Adam Freiherr von Lerchenfeld. The frescoes on the Baroque barrel vault were uncovered during interior renovations in 1988. The building therefore brings together two periods: its construction in the early 18th century and the later uncovering of the vault paintings. The dates help distinguish the construction history from the renovation.
The interior also contains tomb plaques commemorating the deceased members of the von Lerchenfeld family who ruled the estate, dating from 1653 to 1753. Their dates begin before the church was built and extend to the middle of the 18th century. Together with the information about the church’s patron and the frescoes, the plaques tell of several historical traces of the von Lerchenfeld family. Visitors interested in the church will therefore encounter not just a single year of construction, but a sequence of different historical records.
Trails and outdoor pool in the municipality
The municipality of Mengkofen can be explored on quiet side roads and forest trails by bike or on foot. A specific cycling route is the paved bike path, which runs partly alongside the road from Mengkofen to the Gäuboden town of Straubing. It is around 25 kilometres long. This offers a choice between exploring within the municipality and following a cycle route to a named destination.
Puchhausen has a heated outdoor pool with a paddling pool for children and a swimming pool for adults. The two pools are intended for different user groups. This adds another clearly defined leisure option to the trails through the municipality.
Folk festival, Tunding and Mengkofen Castle
The Aitrachtaler folk festival developed from the Herz-Jesu-Fest in 1975. The festival’s traditional flea market takes place on Saturday. The story of its origins and the market offer different insights into the event: its origins point to its development, while the market is a specific part of Saturday’s programme.
In Tunding, the church stands on an artificial hill surrounded by a moat. Its interior furnishings are Baroque and date from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its elevated setting and furnishings each provide their own architectural highlights. Mengkofen Castle serves a different purpose: it is a central venue in the municipality for professional development, cultural activities, conferences and celebrations, and forms a creative and social hub for the community.
More attractions in Dingolfing-Landau
The wider Dingolfing-Landau destination offers further, distinctive nature experiences. The “Vilstal bei Marklkofen” nature reserve covers almost 175 hectares and provides a habitat for numerous animal and plant species. The Vilstalsee, covering around 100 hectares, lies within this nature reserve and is ideal for walks and bike rides; boating, sailing and surfing are also possible there. These landscape and water-based activities complement Mengkofen’s church, event and trail offerings with a different focus.
Discover more destinations: Loiching, Mamming, Landau an der Isar, Dingolfing, Eichendorf, Pilsting, Reisbach
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Dingolfing-Landau.
