In Kaufbeuren, city history, art and a long pilgrimage route offer different ways to experience the town. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between a stay focused on exploring the town and a multi-day hike: the historic old town can be explored on foot, while the Crescentia Pilgrimage Route extends far beyond Kaufbeuren.
City History Between the Museum and the Town Wall
The Kaufbeuren City Museum presents the history of the former Free Imperial City in a modern permanent exhibition. There are also architectural landmarks: large sections of the historic town wall remain, along with numerous well-preserved towers. The Five-Button Tower is Kaufbeuren’s landmark. Together, the exhibition, town wall and towers offer different perspectives on the town’s history—from its presentation in the museum to surviving parts of the town fortifications.
The exhibition venues in the centre of Kaufbeuren are also easy to reach on foot, making it convenient to enjoy the town and its culture.
Art, Industrial History and Special Collections
The Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren presents changing exhibitions of 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century art, as well as exhibitions on cultural history. The Isergebirgs-Museum Neugablonz has a different focus: it offers insights into 400 years of German cultural and industrial history in the Jizera Mountains and presents the history of Neugablonz, Kaufbeuren’s largest district. Those interested in historical developments will find both a broad overview of cultural and industrial history and a connection to a specific district.
The Gablonzer Industrie experience exhibition focuses on the fashion jewellery industry. Its many exhibits include fashion jewellery, souvenirs, toys and bags. Unlike the exhibitions on city and art history, the focus here is on objects from the fashion jewellery industry. You can choose which topics to explore based on whether you are more interested in city history, art or the exhibits of Gablonzer Industrie.
Crescentia Monastery and the Old Town
Crescentia Monastery is located in the heart of the historic old town and is considered the cradle of Kaufbeuren. The Crescentia Memorial at the monastery displays valuable original objects from the secular and religious life of Saint Crescentia. These include clothes she wore on her travels and the decree of her canonisation. The monastery, memorial and historic old town thus connect the town’s history with insights into the life and veneration of Saint Crescentia.
From a Stroll to a Multi-Day Hike
The old town can be explored on foot. The Crescentia Pilgrimage Route, by contrast, is a circular route of almost 90 kilometres: it starts at the monastery in Kaufbeuren’s historic old town, passes through Mindelheim and Ottobeuren, and returns to its starting point. This offers two very different options—a visit to the town on foot or a longer hike through several places.
The route is recommended to experienced hikers over four daily stages. This is important to keep in mind when planning your trip: the stage recommendation is expressly intended for experienced hikers. Starting at the monastery also provides a direct connection to the town’s history, even though the circular route then leads beyond Kaufbeuren.
A Virtual Tour of the Puppet Theatre
The Puppet Theatre Museum continues to offer an online virtual tour of the world of puppet theatre. The former physical museum location is no longer operated as a museum. This means you can explore this topic without visiting the former site.
Whether you focus your stay on city history, art and museums or include the Crescentia Pilgrimage Route in your plans, the options differ in both subject matter and time commitment. This choice helps you discover Kaufbeuren and its history in a way that suits your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Schwangau, ObergĂĽnzburg, Eisenberg, Rieden am Forggensee, Oberostendorf, Biessenhofen, Nesselwang, RoĂźhaupten.
For the broader travel overview: Ostallgäu.
