Donauwörth sits at the confluence of Wörnitz and Danube rivers.
The low rolling hills and embracing curves of the river bend were no doubt what motivated the original pair of fishermen to found the town. You may find yourself similarly enthralled, especially if you are looking for a good place to blend historical culture with natural beauty.
As a part of the Romantic Road, the town certainly has its visual appeal. The rivers have kept the town narrow, with the newer section distinctly separate from the historical zone. This means that you can stamp through the Rieder gate and imagine you’re an invading French grenadier without having to block out any high rise apartment buildings.
Naturally, you’ll want to snap back to reality before the locals drown you in the river, as they famously did to some 5,000 French troops over the years. It’s helpful sometimes to be in a flood plain! You can imagine the scene for yourself by hiking or biking along the river banks. The low elevation means that even if you’re not a hard-core athlete you can really enjoy the environment here.
If you’re in Donauwörth in the summer months, you’ll want to check off if it’s an even or odd year. For some reason, almost all the town festivals are held every other year. Depending on your preferences, you may want to come for the Children’s Festival and Jousting Events (even July’s) or the Town Street Fair (odd summers).
Every year, you can enjoy Donauwörth’s open air theatrical shows in July and August. You can buy some great local food at the Öko-Markt, Germany’s largest all-organic farmers market, and then settle in for a picnic and a show. Set against the backdrop of the 600 year old Town Hall and 700 year old church spires, it’s a lovely way to spend an evening.
Naturally, if theater isn’t your thing, you can always just watch a sunset over the river. The town may not be as big or as complex as other Romantic Road destinations, but it has been marked by battles, bombings, and buildings over the years to have real character.
As the largest church bells is Swabia toll the evening hours, you can raise a glass to the fishermen who started it all and thank them for having the good sense to stop here!
