Hopferau: Zuse’s Z4, the castle and soapmaking

Zuse’s computing history and Hopferau Castle

Konrad Zuse lived and conducted research in Hopferau for nearly three years, bringing his Z4 computer to working order there. Research and technical implementation are equally part of this Hopferau story. The Z4 is a notable subject for anyone interested in the development of computing technology: here, a story of technology is connected to a specific place.

Hopferau Castle offers a different focus. It was built as a hunting lodge in 1468 and represents a part of the town’s history that is clearly distinct from Zuse’s work on computers. If you enjoy combining historical and technological themes on vacation, Hopferau offers both, without needing to conflate their stories.

Soapmaking and the Kneipp facility

At Leovinus Naturkosmetik in Hopferau, Dietrich Zarnack makes soap. As a “glass” soap workshop, the business offers a glimpse into the work, and visitors can watch the soap being made. The focus is therefore not only on the finished product, but also on the craft behind it. This complements the stories of the castle and computer with a look at a different kind of work.

The village district of Heimen in Hopferau has a Kneipp facility with a barefoot path. Together with the soap workshop, it adds two other types of experience to the options: craftsmanship in one place, and the Kneipp facility and barefoot path in the other. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay. That way, you can tailor your search to the kind of vacation you are planning.

Regional experiences in Ostallgäu

The wider destination of Ostallgäu offers a regional perspective through its landscape. The mountains in the southwest of the district belong to the Vilser Gebirge, while those in the southeast belong to the Ammergebirge. At 2,082 metres, the Hochplatte is the highest mountain in Ostallgäu. This overview describes the region and complements Hopferau’s local stories with a landscape perspective on Ostallgäu.

Ostallgäu’s network of trails also offers a range of options. There are 32 local hiking routes that showcase special treasures in nature and in the towns. The RadReiseRegion includes regional cycling routes that extend throughout Ostallgäu. Each is 25 to 76 kilometres long, consistently signposted and has its own theme. This makes it possible to choose between hiking routes and themed cycling routes when planning; the cycling routes also have a specified distance range.

On Lake Forggensee in Ostallgäu, the Forggensee cycle path runs all the way around the lake. Forggensee is more than 15 square kilometres in size, Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir. During the summer season, Forggensee boat trips regularly run excursions. If you are planning a boat trip, check the timetable in advance; for the cycling tour, the route around the lake is the main focus.

In Ostallgäu, Neuschwanstein Castle has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 12 July 2025, together with Linderhof Palace, the King’s House on Schachen and Herrenchiemsee Palace. A guided tour is required to visit the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. If you include these castles in your plans, you should therefore plan to visit them on a guided tour.

For a winter vacation, the Alpspitzbahn Nesselwang in Ostallgäu offers another regional perspective: it provides access to the ski run around the 1,575-metre-high Alpspitz. The ski area has family-friendly slopes and a children’s ski area. Operating conditions may vary by season, so check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Rückholz, Wald.

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