It was fascinating to find out almost a quarter of Bruckberg’s forty-three villages were totally forested. Might not seem like a big deal to you, but when you’re this close to the city of Landshut, it’s nice to know you’re only a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of big-city life — wouldn’t you say?
What’s really remarkable about this part of Lower Bavaria (even if it hasn’t been developed by urban sprawl) is it’s been hustling and bustling for centuries, all the way back to the Neolithic Age — that’s some 6,000 years ago. However, the tumuli found around here didn’t come along until the Bronze Age, which ended some 3,000 years ago. Give or take a century, or two. ;-)
The bulk of what’s to see here in Bruckberg came along much later, like starting from the Middle Ages. You’ll find a whole bunch of old churches, which really are the highlight. I really couldn’t choose a favorite, but I’m partial to St. John the Baptist Church, whose origins go back to when Romanesque architecture was in style — even though it got a Gothic and Baroque renovation.
Speaking of Gothic architecture, there was a building boom about that time — giving Bruckberg its St. Stephen Church (15th century), the St. Gallus Church (also 15th century) — even though its tower wasn’t added on for another few centuries. Another Gothic church found in town is the Church of the Assumption, while another Baroque structure awaits at the chapel in the village of Bruckbergerau.
I got all excited about some of these other churches, that I almost forgot the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul (in the village of Gündlkofen) started off as a Romanesque church, too; although you’d never know it from its more modern Rococo makeover. And the Church of St. Paul, another Romanesque original, almost didn’t make the list here.
Yikes, I must be slacking today. Time for another coffee, I guess. Good thing there are quite a number of places here to grab a cup, along with a yummy bite to eat.
Great, now I got the energy to tell you about Schloss Bruckberg. The castle itself dates back to 11th century, but now boasting some 4 wings, a courtyard, and a tower.
Another cup of coffee and I might have the energy to clean this massive castle. ;-)
