Roman archaeological sites, churches with significant furnishings, viewpoints and green spaces give Kempten (Allgäu) a range of distinctive features. There is also the weekly market at Hildegardplatz. When planning a getaway, you can choose whether to focus mainly on the city’s history, its views and parks, or its culinary offerings.
Roman Times and Kempten’s History
The Cambodunum Archaeological Park presents Kempten’s beginnings in Roman times as an open-air museum surrounding the excavation sites. You can explore the grounds on your own; 15 interactive stations offer a multisensory experience of history. Independent exploration is the focus here, while the city’s museums offer other perspectives on its history.
On the first and second floors of the Kempten Museum, eleven themed rooms spanning different eras explore the city’s eventful history, from the Romans to the present day. The State Rooms of the Residence recall the splendid era of the prince-abbots in the time of the divided city of Kempten. The two places have different focuses: the museum covers many eras, while the Residence illustrates a particular historical period.
Kempten’s churches also tell different parts of the city’s history. St. Mang’s Church is Kempten’s oldest church and is now an Evangelical Lutheran parish church. Its high altar, carved from oak and limewood, has stood in the church since 1906. The Basilica of St. Lorenz is considered a landmark of Kempten; its lavish interior is also worth seeing. Visitors who want to make church interiors the focus of their stay will find two distinct options here.
Views and Green Spaces
On the Burghalde in the Old Town, you can see the remains of a medieval castle. The site also offers unobstructed views in every direction: the Alps are visible to the south, while to the west you can see the Residence of the prince-abbots and the Basilica of St. Lorenz. From this viewpoint, you can take in both the surrounding landscape and the city’s prominent buildings.
The twelve-hectare Engelhalde Park lies east of the Iller. It features two adventure playgrounds and a large climbing wall; the Way of St. James from Munich to Bregenz also passes through the park. If the playgrounds or climbing wall are important to your plans, check their availability before visiting.
Other green spaces each have their own character. Kempten’s Court Garden is laid out in the Baroque style and has terraces at different heights. The five-hectare Stadtweiher pond on the edge of Stiftallmey was created in 1494 on the grounds of the town monastery. An octagonal music pavilion is the focal point of Stadtpark; the park has hosted the Allgäu Festival Week since 1949.
Weekly Market and Cycling Routes
A weekly market with around 50 stalls is held twice a week at Hildegardplatz. Offerings include seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish, sausages and other cured meats, homemade pasta, plants, honey and other specialties from Kempten, the Allgäu, the Lake Constance region or Italy. The selection may vary with the season and from one market day to the next. At lunchtime, locals and visitors also meet at Hildegardplatz to eat freshly prepared Kässpatzen, among other things.
There is also a clear point of reference for planning a cycling trip: the Iller Cycle Route and the Allgäu Cycle Route cross in Kempten. Alongside the historic sites and the market, these two named long-distance cycling routes offer different themes to choose from for your trip. You can decide which to focus on based on your interests.
For the broader travel overview: Kempten.
