Köngen: Roman Times, Ulrich Bridge and Cultural Days
Accommodation in Köngen
Köngen can be explored through very different traces: the Grinario Roman fort tells the story of Roman settlement, while Ulrich Bridge is associated with Duke Ulrich of Württemberg and literary fame. There are also regular Cultural Days, a Saturday market and a digital tour. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment for your stay, you can decide whether history, a cultural event or a regular weekend plan should be the deciding factor.
Roman Traces and a Digital Tour
The Romans built the Grinario fort between 90 and 95 AD, and it was abandoned in 155. It was later used, among other things, to build a Roman bath. The Jupiter Column at the entrance to Köngen is also evidence of the community’s Roman settlement in the first centuries AD.
The column’s carved stones depict various scenes: the lowest, four-sided stone of the Four Gods shows four different deities. The octagonal stone of the gods of the days of the week bears a relief of the goddess of victory, Victoria; the other seven sides depict the seven gods of the week, starting with Saturday. Several specific motifs are thus brought together in one monument, rather than Roman history being merely alluded to in general terms. The park grounds and museum at Köngen Roman Park were inaugurated in 1988.
A digital tour leads from Ulrich Bridge to the Roman fort via 15 stops using the free DigiWalk app and takes about two hours. You can split it across several walks; the texts can be read or listened to on your smartphone. Check that the app is available before your trip.
Ulrich Bridge, the Castle and the Church
Ulrich Bridge is a landmark of the municipality of Köngen and is closely connected with the history of Duke Ulrich of Württemberg. It also achieved literary fame. Since 1975, the bridge has been reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Its historical significance and this use give it a distinctive place among Köngen’s attractions.
The castle and church also offer specific art-historical details. Köngen Castle displays portraits of Roman and German emperors from the Renaissance; the so-called Knights’ Hall is now of considerable art-historical importance. St Peter and Paul’s Church contains tombstones belonging to the Thumb von Neuburg family, as well as a Renaissance winged altar with Gothic carvings. Thus, Renaissance portraits stand alongside funerary art and an altar featuring Gothic carvings.
Cultural Days and the Weekly Market in Your Travel Plans
The Köngen Cultural Days have been held regularly at the Zehntscheuer since 1988. The programme includes cabaret, chamber music, theatre, music and lectures, among other events. If you’d like to plan your stay around an event, check the latest dates before deciding when to travel.
The Köngen weekly market takes place every Saturday in the pedestrian zone. Market hours are 08:00 to 12:00; from April to September, it starts at 07:00. Residents and visitors can buy fruit, vegetables, eggs and pasta, among other things. Vendors and producers from the region also attend on Saturdays. The selection also includes flowers, baskets, brushes and wooden goods, haberdashery, craft supplies and leather goods; clothing is not sold. Vendors and products may vary. Check the market hours locally before planning your visit.
The activities involve different timing considerations: the tour takes about two hours and can be split across several walks, the market takes place on Saturdays, and the Cultural Days follow their event schedule. When choosing a holiday apartment in Köngen, you can compare these planning considerations with your travel dates and decide which experience you’d like to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Erkenbrechtsweiler, Dettingen unter Teck, Plochingen, Filderstadt, Nellingen, Neckartenzlingen, Esslingen, Wernau
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