On the Upper Swabian Baroque Route, stretching along for some 500 km or 311 mi, as well as the Swabian Spa Route, is the oldest therapeutic bath town in all of Baden-Württemberg, Bad Wurzach. Once you enter it for the first time you’ll know you’re bound to see one of the most precious of what Germany has to offer.
The Parish Church Verena is a little white church with an exceptionally tall tower (definitely a photo op!). Even more stunning is the larger church found in the Hauerz district. Sitting high on a hill, it looks more like a castle than a place of worship with its miniature turrets and clock tower.
Gottesberg is where you’ll find the Pilgrimage Church (known as Salvatorianerkloster). Built in 1709, it hosts the Festival of the Holy Blood (the church has a holy blood reliquary) on the 2nd Friday of every July.
But stop… There are other historical sights to see here in Bad Wurzach that shouldn’t be missed. (You didn’t think you were going to relax in one of the spas here that easy, did you? ;-) Schloss Bad Wurzach is another Baroque creation from 1728, which has been used as (besides a castle) a Catholic Seminary and POW camp for French Officers during the war. It’s now the place to enjoy concerts.
Ironically, Bad Wurzach, a fantastic spa town, once had its own Leprosy Colony. The former Leprosorium is now a museum with works from the famous German painter, Sepp Mahler.
Peat cutting was once a huge industry here, so fittingly enough, there’s a Peat Museum in town, too. The kids will probably rather go see the Alpakahof, though — a local animal park and petting zoo.
At the end of the day filled with with exhaustive sightseeing, and after visiting the cheese factory for some yummy local goodies, relax in any of the thermal bath spas that can be found here. The hot springs and mud brought in from the moorlands will work wonders in restoring your physical and mental health.
It might be difficult to tear yourself away from the hot springs, but the countryside is equally beautiful with many cycling and hiking trails for exploration. So take a close look when you hop to the next German city. ;-)
