Altdorf, the one in Lower Bavaria, is a small village of only about 11,000 people. It’s a town where red tiled roofs make a bright contrast to the dark green trees that tower overhead. A hot air balloon ride over the countryside is the best way to see all of it.
There’s not a lot in terms of sightseeing around Altdorf, but that only gives you more time to eat and drink at a few festivals and markets. Like there’s anything WRONG with that? ;-)
Three sites in Altdorf are a must see, though. One is the Frauenkirche, a Romanesque church built in 1419. It’s filled with art painted around the year 1500, a Madonna statue from 1520, and an alter from 1690.
The second is the church of St. Nikolaus with art from around the same time period as the Frauenkirche. There are carvings from around the turn of the 16th century and an alter from 1670.
Do yourself a favor and brush up on Art History before you come here and you’ll appreciate the beauty of these two churches even more; and a visit to Altdorf’s local history museum (called Heimatmuseum) will help, too.
With all this done and seen, it’s time to relax with a beer and a pretzel. Pretzels are important in Bavarian culture and we can thank them for the doughy treat as they’re a Bavarian creation. You’ll find they are just as important to Oktoberfest as beer.
Eat them at the Altdorf Summer Celebration at the end of July, or try a pretzel dumpling known as Breznknödel. If you want something that goes deliciously well with a Bavarian Beer, eat some Bierwurst; a thick cut of meat served with bread. It’s easy to like a place when the food tastes so good.
You will be swapping the beer out for some wine during Altdorf’s Wine Celebration in August. Although, you might want to find something hot to drink while out shopping at the Christmas Market in December or cheering on a hockey game at the outdoor rink.
If you’re here that time of year, it is going be a bit too cold for that hot air balloon ride, though. I guess you’ll have to come back and visit again then. :-)
