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Gersthofen, outside of Augsburg, could be called the balloon capital of the world. Since 1786, Gersthofen has been a popular launch point for balloonists and today more hot-air balloons launch from this town than from all points in the world put together. So bring a picnic and watch the balloons take off! :-)

No wonder the primary attraction is a balloon museum. This museum, five stories high, features a variety of gondolas and thousands of balloon related displays and artifacts. Interactive exhibits encourage adults and children alike to explore and experiment.

In the winter, from November to February, a winter ice-skating rink is set up in the town hall square. Two new sports arenas, with artificial turf, lure top soccer teams to the area.

As with many German cities, this town has frequent markets and festivals. The town’s major festival is the Citizens Gersthoferstaße Fest and a lively Christmas market is held in the town square.

Gersthofen offers a variety of cultural events in the city center. Visit the Town Hall to see the sculptures on display, or check out the open-air cinema in the summer months.

Other attractions are a water park, the Gerfriedswelle Gersthofe, which features a diving tower, waterfalls and whitewater channels, water slides, a soccer field, fitness center, and coffee shop.

Five kilometers away, in the great city of Augsburg, you can explore dozens of museums including the Museum of Jewish Culture, the Roman Museum full of discoveries from the Roman ruins sprinkled throughout Germany, the Bertholt Brecht house, and the home of Mozart’s father, Leopold. Children will enjoy a trip to the Augsburg Puppet Theater Museum.

If you are looking for a more active adventure, the 1972 Munich Olympics canoe slalom course is one of the safest white water courses in the world. Although it has features with daunting names like the “washing machine,” the course has no dangerous submerged objects or rough edges. Rent a canoe and go for a ride.

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Archeological evidence indicates that Nottuln settled by people of the late Middle Stone Age, perhaps as early as 4000 B.C..

Nottuln is now a prime example of Baroque architecture with many lovely buildings built in the Baroque style. Many of the buildings were designed by the well-known Baroque architect Johann Conrad Schlaun.

The large buildings are grouped around a square in front of the former convent of St. Martin’s church. This convent was the first convent in the Westphalia area. Many of the Baroque buildings are massive, built of sandstone from local quarries. The Curia of the Reck, formerly part of the convent, is now the center of municipal life.

Amtmannei House is the architectural cornerstone of the town and is now its cultural center. The concerts that take place here have a national and international reputation.

The Cathedral of St. Martin, originally built in the 15th century, was damaged by fire in 1748. Johann Conrad Schlaun repaired it, adding a Gothic roof. In November the annual St. Martin’s Fair is held here. This Fair has been a part of Nottuln life since 1622.

In the Kirkplatz (Church Square) you can visit the oldest indigo cloth printing shop still in existence. They still use an old Westphalian technique using carved wooden blocks to print on cotton or linen fabric using indigo dye.

On top of the nearby forested hills is a 30 m high observation tower built at the turn of the 20th century. The Longinusturm offers a panoramic view although it now serves other purposes.

In 1952, the tower was the site of the first television broadcast in the area. Because the building had no electricity, the television was powered by a car battery!

By the way, Nottuln is one of the small town you will pass through on the famous 100 Castles Route, a popular bicycle tour visiting numerous castles and palaces.