Leipheim — Ostrich Trivia Meets Medieval Bavarian Swabia

Whoo-hoo! It’s trivia time again here at MyGermanCity.com, and the question at hand doesn’t involve anything about beer or lederhosen. Oh, there’s a hint. We’re in Bavaria. More specifically, we’re in Leiphiem in Bavarian Swabia.

Back to the trivia question. Does anyone know how many chicken eggs it takes to equal one ostrich egg?

Now, you faithful readers should know by now there’s usually a reason I ask such things. And new readers, there’s usually a reason I ask such things. ;-)

Anyway, the answer is: about two dozen chicken eggs equals one ostrich egg. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Ostrich Farmers that you’ll find spread out over 80 acres here in Leipheim.

Ha! Told you there was a reason.

Leipheim has more than just ostriches, in case you’re wondering. There’s an old Renaissance castle from 1559, known as Schloss Leipheim. Come to hear its history about its medieval origins from the mid-11th century.

What else? Let me think… Oh yes, there are city tours that’ll walk you around the Tithe Barn (called the Zehntstadel), that’s now a civic hall for cultural events. And the Diakonische Sozialstation that’s a half-timbered 16th century building.

One other framework house you shouldn’t miss is the Blaue Ente. Translating to the Blue Duck, it wasn’t built in 1647, it was REbuilt in 1647 — because it was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. Now it’s a Local History Museum that has exhibits on beer (remember, Bavaria!) and the 16th century Peasants’ War.

And I wouldn’t (couldn’t) leave out mentioning the St. Veit Church, whose construction started in 1330 and took 118 years (!) to finish. Amazing how its 45-meter high towers are still standing.

Built prior to St. Veit’s is the Hospitalstiftung zum Heiligen Geist or Holy Spirit Hospital in 1315; and built much later is the Evangelical Pfarrhaus (a Parsonage building) in 1580. Keep your camera handy when you pass by the Hauserlesturm, a water tower that was part of Leipheim’s medieval defenses — and you can see it from near & far.

Of course a stroll along the Danube, which slices through town, is just as lovely as visiting its old buildings. Anyway, Leipheim is a gate to the Swabian Alb, so hiking is an absolute must.

While you’re out there, maybe you’ll come up with a trivia question or two for me to try and answer. ;-)

 

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