Waal on the Singold: Local History and Passion Play

The Singold begins its course in Waal, and the town lies in a shallow hollow at its source, on the edge of the Allgäu landscape. This connects the town’s history with a distinct geographical setting. If you are looking for a manageable, specific starting point for your stay, the source, the historic old town and the parish church of St. Anna offer different ways to get to know Waal.

The Singold Source and the Townscape

The Waal circular hiking trail starts in Waal, a town known for its Passion Play, at the Singold source. Its starting point thus brings together two defining features of the town: the source and the Passion Plays. Check the current conditions for the Waal circular hiking trail before setting out.

At the market square, a Kneipp water-treading facility in the Singold is a popular stop for many families. It is another distinct landmark in the townscape. The historic old town is listed as the Waal ensemble and as an archaeological monument in the Ostallgäu district’s heritage register. For visitors interested in local history, these two distinct heritage designations offer a brief point of reference: they relate to the historic old town and its classification.

St. Anna and the Town’s History

The parish church of St. Anna probably dates from the 14th century. It was remodelled between 1470 and 1510 and given a three-aisled hall; its tower was also raised during the Baroque period. This makes it possible to identify several building phases at the church without reducing them to a single construction date. The bell also reflects the history of craftsmanship: it was made by Gregor Löffler, an Innsbruck-based cannon and bell founder. From 1524 to 1544, he served the Free Imperial City of Augsburg.

Waal Castle stands beside the market square and is the residence of the princely von der Leyen family. Along with the church and the historic old town, the castle adds further historical points of reference to the town centre, each of which can be distinguished when looking at Waal.

The Passion Play Theatre and the Market

The Passion Plays are also part of Waal: Manfred Dempf’s play “Who Do You Say I Am?” premiered here in 2023. In the same year, a total of 8,300 guests attended 20 performances at the Waal Passion Play Theatre. When choosing a theme for your stay, it helps to distinguish between the two: the town’s history can be seen in its buildings and heritage designations, while the performance figures record a specific historical event.

The Waal arts and crafts market attracts large crowds and is known far beyond the district boundaries. In July, the market offers a special selection of culinary fare. If you are planning to visit Waal for the market, check the latest event dates.

Choosing the Right Holiday Apartment in Waal

The local attractions offer different highlights: the Singold source and circular hiking trail reflect the landscape, St. Anna and the old town showcase architectural and local history, the Passion Play Theatre represents performance history, and the arts and crafts market features crafts and culinary fare. When choosing a holiday apartment in Waal, consider which of these interests you would like to shape your stay.

Discover More Places

Discover more destinations: Halblech, Mauerstetten, Füssen, Pfronten, Seeg, Marktoberdorf, Nesselwang and Biessenhofen.

For the wider travel overview: Ostallgäu.