Discover Welden: Church Art, Linden Avenue and Trails

Churches and Historic Art

The parish church of the Annunciation of Mary stands on the site of a Romanesque church. Preserved foundations of the choir and tower bear witness to this. Notable details include a bell dated to around 1250 that bears the names Lucas, Marcus, Matheus and Johannes. It is one of the oldest bells in the district. The ceiling painting also makes the church remarkable: it is 13.5 metres in diameter and was created by Matthäus Günther in 1732 for 300 gulden.

The late Gothic Chapel of the 14 Holy Helpers stands prominently on a hill in the middle of Welden cemetery. Built in 1495, it served as a place of pilgrimage for people from Welden and the surrounding area during times of illness and hardship. In 1680, it was given a Baroque altar, Baroque furnishings and a ceiling fresco depicting Welden. The altar was destroyed by fire in 1967. The chapel thus tells the story of several eras, without equating its historic role as a place of pilgrimage with a present-day one.

Linden Avenue and Ganghofer Connections

On Theklaberg, linden trees line the footpath to Thekla Church. The avenue was planted in 1869 by the forester at the time, August Ganghofer, and is considered an impressive natural monument. The planting year, the person responsible and its connection to the path give the landscape a specific historical context: here, a walk along Linden Avenue can be combined with a glimpse into the history of the area.

The Ganghofer site in Welden also explores the family’s history. It opened in 2005 at the Gasthof Hirsch. Its permanent exhibition, “Habitats – the Ganghofers in the Swabian Holzwinkel,” shows the family’s life and work in and around Welden. If you plan to visit, check the visitor information in advance.

Cycle Path and Interactive Stations

The Weldenbahn cycle path follows the foundations of the Welden railway, built in 1903. Away from the roads, it runs through forests and fields to Aystetten, Horgau, Adelsried and Welden. The route thus combines experiencing the landscape with the history of the former railway line; the places named also help you find your way along the route.

The Ludwig-Ganghofer Little Rascals Trail offers a different kind of outing. It starts in Welden and leads past Schneeburg Castle site. There are five interactive stations along the way. Activities include digging up Ludwig’s lost treasure, stealing eggs like Ludwig and looking out over the forest from the observation tower. The tour is designed around hands-on activities and a range of stations, rather than simply walking from place to place. When planning a trip to Welden, you can therefore choose between two distinct options: cycling along a former railway line or a tour with activities to try along the way.

More Ideas in the Wider Augsburg Destination

The wider Augsburg destination also offers its own places to visit. The LandArt Bonstetten art trail is a 5.65-kilometre circular walking route where artist Hama Lohrmann personally explains his sculptures. The three-kilometre meditation trail leads from the Oberschönenfeld Cistercian Abbey to Weiherhof on the edge of the Schwarzachtal forest. The Augsburg district also has a well-developed network of cycle paths. These examples offer further ways to include culture, activity and landscape in your holiday plans for the Augsburg destination.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Welden, use your own interests as a guide: would you like to focus on the local churches and Ganghofer connections, include Linden Avenue in your explorations or make one of the tours described here the centrepiece of your stay? If Welden’s historic sites and local trails are what you want to shape your visit around, you can choose your holiday base accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Heretsried, Kutzenhausen, Horgau, Nordendorf, Fischach, Walkertshofen, Dinkelscherben, Lechfeld.

To the wider travel overview: Augsburg.