Let’s say you find yourself in the town of Vilshofen — which is beautiful in itself — but you’re right next door to the 77 districts municipality of Windorf, a charming small town on the romantic Danube. This is a nationally recognized resort town, full of hotels and inns, private rooms and pensions.
Perfect, since you’ll need to rest up to see all (or almost all) of it.
For me, one of the best things about old villages are its old churches. Oh, c’mon, like you don’t know this about me by now? Anyway, in the village of Windorf itself is the Church of St. James — and you can’t miss it, it’s right on the Marktplatz.
The Church of St. George, originally a Gothic design, is found in Gaishofen. And over in Otterskirchen, you’ll find the Pestsäule (Plague Column) dedicated to 482 humans that died in 1649. Plus, there’s a church dedicated to St. Michael — whose beginnings were originally Romanesque. That’s right, that makes it a proper medieval church. Its golden Akanthusaltar will make you speechless.
Ratmannsdorf also boasts a gorgeous church, an onion domed one, making it seem not all that old — but its a Gothic original, so its facelift belies its real age.
All right, in all fairness, this is Lower Bavaria — so it isn’t fair to spend all your time in and out of churches all gosh-darn day. So, you’re best off visiting the Tourist Office (located at Marktplatz 23) to find all the finer details of what else there is to do here in Windorf.
Sorry, I can give you an overview — but the folks there are the most qualified. ;-)
Anyway, I can tell you about Windorf’s Observation Tower in the village of Ebersdorf. And with its height of 27-meters, it offers up the best views to see not only the Bavarian Forest, but also Bohemian Forest and the Alps.
Not only is Lower Bavaria known for its outstanding natural beauty, it’s also known for its cultural celebrations — and Windorf really knows how to show someone a good time. The cooler Autumn weather is perfect for a Wine Festival, and luckily if you can’t make the one September, there’s another in October.
November is also a good time to come, that’s when Windorf hosts its St. Martin’s Fest, and then later on comes the Christmas Market — in addition to all the other obligatory Advent and Christmas celebrations.
As much as I love Vilshofen, I’m sure glad I ventured over to Windorf — just like you will, too.
