Kröning: Hilly Countryside and Pottery Tradition
Accommodation in Kröning
Kröning lies in the hilly countryside of Lower Bavaria, between the Isar and Vils valleys. The landscape is fertile and relatively sparsely populated, with small villages, hamlets and isolated farmsteads scattered across the area. Narrow, elongated strips of woodland run along the edges of the valleys. Those interested in rural architecture and a cultivated landscape shaped over time will find more than just one place to discover here: the scattered settlements and the history of pottery-making shape Kröning in different ways.
Hilly Countryside, Woodland Strips and Blue Clay
The gentle hills, narrow woods along the valley edges and scattered settlements give Kröning its rural character. Blue clay is extracted near Groß- and Kleinbettenrain. This clay formed the basis of the once-famous Kröning pottery tradition, a craft practised mainly in widely separated villages, hamlets and isolated farmsteads. The history of the craft is thus closely linked to the local landscape and its settlement pattern, although its traces are not confined to a single centre.
Since the 15th century, Kröning pottery has been a staple in peasant households as well as in bourgeois and electoral households. This makes pottery-making a distinctive way to explore local history: it tells the story of a rural craft whose products were used across different social milieus. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, consider Kröning if you are interested in the connection between its hilly countryside, regional craft traditions and historic buildings.
Bödldorf and the Kröning Potters’ Houses
Typical Kröning potters’ houses have survived in Bödldorf to this day. The listed ensemble comprises houses 1 to 6 and preserves an unusually intact building tradition. Its distinctive features include old half-hipped roofs and upper storeys, some of which are plastered and built using log construction. These architectural forms give the ensemble its distinctive character and make it possible to trace local building traditions through specific buildings.
Bödldorf 4 is a listed former potter’s farmstead dating from the second half of the 18th century. The hamlet chapel is also part of the village’s architectural history: this small, solid building has a gabled roof and a roof turret and dates from the 18th century. Together, the ensemble, former farmstead and chapel illustrate different historic architectural forms without collapsing them into a single building type.
Historic Buildings in the Districts
Other notable buildings can be found in the municipality’s districts. Wippstetten is home to a listed granary dating from 1732. This log building with a half-hipped roof is an example of historic storage architecture. Wippstetten is also home to a pilgrimage church, built in the Gothic period and later extended in the Baroque style. Its rich furnishings include monstrances and chalices, as well as a Rococo cabinet for votive offerings.
Kirchberg is home to the listed parish church of St Florian and Wolfgang, a hall church with a set-back choir and attached side aisles, dating from the second half of the 15th century. The freestanding church tower probably belonged to an earlier church dating from the 12th century. The settlement of Kirchberg is also said to date back to the 8th century. Dietelskirchen is home to an Art Nouveau church. The buildings therefore differ in their age and design, ranging from Gothic church architecture and later Baroque extensions to an example of Art Nouveau.
A Stage of the Martinusweg
A longer route is another way to include Kröning in an active trip: the Martinusweg includes the 23 km HW-32-02 stage from Kröning to Geisenhausen. Take the stated distance into account when planning your day. This lets you factor in your preferred pace of travel, alongside your interest in local history and landscape, when choosing where to stay.
For the broader travel overview: Gerzen.
