Attractions

You'll appreciate that cars are banned from the narrow labyrinth of alleyways within Ravensburg's historic core. Two of the most evocative streets are Untere Breite Strasse and Charlottenstrasse, both of which lie near the town's central square. Lining the Marienplatz are the late-Gothic Rathaus; the 14th-century Kornhaus, once one of the largest corn exchanges in the region and now the town's library; and the Waaghaus, originally built in the 1400s as a warehouse for municipal supplies and now a bank. Look also for the old city watchtower and the Renaissance-era Lederhaus, the town's post office.

Also on the Marienplatz is the Karmelitenklosterkirche. Originally a monastery in the 14th century, it later housed a mercantile association devoted to the promotion of the linen trade. The complex's church can be visited every day from 8am to 6pm. Nearby, at the corner of Kirchstrasse and the Herrenstrasse, is the Liebfrauenkirche, the parish church of Ravensburg. Deceptively simple on the outside, the 14th-century structure has been radically but authentically reconstructed on the inside. Look for remnants of original stained glass and a heavy somberness reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

Ravensburg's only noteworthy museum is its Heimatmuseum, devoted to local folklore and handicrafts. It lies within the Volkhaus, Torplatz 7 (for information contact the tourist office), and is open Tuesday to Friday 2 to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 2 to 3pm. Admission is free.

Scaling the Ramparts -- Part of Ravensburg's allure is its well-preserved network of medieval fortifications, studded with defensive towers. The most visible is the 52m (170-ft.) Mehlsack Tower, adopted as the municipal symbol of Ravensburg itself. You can climb to its heights by means of 240 heavily worn, circular steps, but only on Sunday from April to October, 10am to 2pm. Entrance is 1€. Two other defensive towers can be spotted from the Marienplatz. These are the Obertor, the oldest gate in the city walls, accessible via Marktstrasse, and the Grünerturm (Green Tower), covered with moss-colored ceramic tiles, many of which date from the 14th century. Neither the Grünerturm nor the Obertor can be visited.

A Side Trip to Weingarten

A major archaeological excavation is located within the agrarian hamlet of Weingarten, a sleepy village 5km (3 miles) north of Ravensburg. To reach the village, take bus no. 1 or 2 from Marienplatz. In the 1950s, teams of archaeologists discovered one of the richest troves of German graves in the country. Artifacts from the dig lie in the Alamannen Museum, located in Kornhaus, Karlstrasse 28 (tel. 0751/405125). It's open Tuesday to Sunday 3 to 5pm (Thurs until 6pm). Admission is 3.50€.

Weingarten is also home to the largest baroque church in Germany, the Weingarten Basilica (tel. 0751/561270), which rises to about 60m (200 ft.). It was established in 1056 by the wife of a prominent official in the Guelph dynasty. Inside is one of the holiest relics in Germany, a mystical vial, which, according to legend, contains several drops of Christ's blood. The relic was entrusted to the convent by the sister-in-law of William the Conqueror, the Guelph Queen Juditha. Another highlight of the church is the organ, one of the largest in the country. Its installation required 13 years, beginning in 1737. Also noteworthy are the ceiling frescoes by Cosmas Damian Asam, one of the leaders of the Baroque School. The church is open daily 8am to 6pm.

Finally, if you can manage to schedule your visit for the day after Ascension (the Thurs 40 days after Easter), you can witness the Ludfreitag, a massive procession of pilgrims, at the head of which are more than 2,000 horsemen. The breeding of horses for this procession is a matter of quiet pride among local farmers.

For information on Weingarten, call the tourist office at Münsterplatz (tel. 0751/405232).