What is it with the town of Langquaid and birds? I’m not complaining or anything, it was only a question. However, you know I’m leading into something, right? Anyway, my first glimpse about this town was on a warm spring day, and on the lookout for the famous storks that call this place home.
No storks around? No problem, go see the Poultry Garden — it’s got all kinds of waterfowl and chickens.
What I found in addition to all the birds, was a town of old churches, as well as some great hiking trails through the Lower Bavarian countryside. I’d say it was a win-win, wouldn’t you?
Being the history lover I am, why not start with those churches? The Middle Ages in (and around) Langquaid saw a building boom of them, like the old Augustinian monastery Church of St. Michael, which has a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The same thing is going on at the Church of St. Jacob, but this one saw a Baroque renovation in the 18th century.
Ha-ha, if you think your church tour is over yet, it’s not. Don’t balk, how else will you see the late-Gothic (13th century) Church of St. Wolfgang, and the Romanesque Church of St. Agatha?
Technically more modern, yet still “historical,” is the town’s Marktplatz, surrounded by buildings from over three centuries (17th, 18th, and 19th). This is the place to be if you want to find out more about Langquaid’s great festivals — like the Bürgerfest (an every other year event in June). The one in 2013 brought thousands of folks to town on a quest for a good time.
So what if you came on an even-numbered year — just try to plan your trip around the second weekend in October for the Hellring-Dult, a multi-day event of food and fun.
As with most Germans, we appreciate a good party but still like peace & quiet. If you do too, then I’d say you’ll absolutely love all its hiking trails. Some are short (like the 3 km Nature Trail with information on water’s vital role in the area), or the 6 km Waldlehrpfad where you can learn about the forest, or the longer 15 km Legends & Fairytales Route along the Laabertal — where I’m sure you see plenty more birds. ;-)
