Pfaffenhofen a.d.Ilm can be explored from several historical perspectives: a guided tour, an underground telecommunications bunker, churches and a literature museum offer different ways to discover the town. In September, the folk festival adds an event with clearly defined dates.
City history on foot and underground
The Pfaffenhofen tour is a guided historical walk with around 15 stops. It leads from the town hall past the former town wall and the parish church of St. John the Baptist to the Marian column on the main square. As dates are subject to change, it is best to check the current schedule before your visit.
The bunker tour offers a different perspective, taking visitors through the rooms and winding corridors of the underground telecommunications bunker. The bunker covers more than 1,400 square metres. Advance registration is required for the tour; for safety reasons, the group is limited to 18 people. Check the dates and register in advance.
Churches, literature and traces of the town fortifications
The three-aisled parish church of St. John the Baptist was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style after the great town fire of 1388 and completed in 1409. Another historic church is the Church of the Holy Spirit, part of the former hospital: an unknown master builder erected it between 1716 and 1719 as the church of the former Franciscan monastery. The histories of the two buildings highlight different periods.
The Flaschlturm, the town tower at Platzl, is also a visible remnant of the former town fortifications. The Joseph Maria Lutz Museum focuses on literature. It displays manuscripts, photographs and awards, as well as correspondence with writers such as Thomas Mann and Stefan Zweig. Further exhibits illustrate the life and work of Joseph Maria Lutz. The cultural offering thus ranges from architectural history to literature.
Main square and September folk festival
Part of the lower section of the main square is a pedestrian zone. Park benches and water and light installations invite visitors to linger. The square is also the endpoint of the Pfaffenhofen tour. If you would like to combine the walk with a break, you will find a public space to relax here.
The Pfaffenhofen folk festival takes place in September, starting on the first Friday of the month and lasting twelve festival days. The programme includes three festival tents, a varied culinary offering with regional specialities, and modern and nostalgic rides. Individual attractions may change. Check the festival dates for the year in question when planning your stay. This lets you plan the folk festival as a distinct highlight rather than assuming it will be on without checking the calendar.
Further perspectives in the broader destination of Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm
In the broader destination of Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, the southern district is characterised by tertiary hill country with gentle elevations and valleys. The district has well-signposted cycle paths in the river valleys, as well as themed routes devoted to asparagus and hops. Themed hiking trails and walking paths in many municipalities also offer opportunities for excursions on foot.
In Wolnzach, the German Hop Museum presents more than 1,000 years of hop history. Topics on display include old hop weighing slips and the craft of brewing beer. These regional attractions complement the town’s history with landscapes, cycling and hiking routes, and hop history. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus your stay mainly on the historic sites in Pfaffenhofen a.d.Ilm or also explore other themes in the broader destination.
Discover more destinations: Reichertshausen, Manching, Gerolsbach, Wolnzach, Baar-Ebenhausen, Scheyern, MĂĽnchsmĂĽnster, Jetzendorf
Go to the broader travel overview: Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm.
