Atmospheric and full of life: Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt – a town of many facets, full of history and tradition yet with a modern, urban flair, vibrant and full of life. A former seat of Bavarian dukes, this university and fortress town on the Danube has a delightful mixture of late medieval charm and lots of atmosphere.

The perfect combination of shopping and culture
Lovingly restored gabled merchants' houses, splendid town gates, imposing towers and an impressive fortress dominate the appearance of the town. Restaurants, art and culture and many events add extra colour and turn any shopping trip to the town into an enjoyable outing. Festivals and markets are held throughout the year, with museums, concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances rounding off the attractions on offer. Audi Forum Ingolstadt with its 'museum mobile' and the exclusive outlet shopping centre Ingolstadt Village are other firm favourites. As is the picturesque old quarter, best accessed through the splendid Kreuztor gate. This is the most beautiful of the remaining town gates and used to be part of the extensive fortifications. Today, it is the town's most famous landmark and a delightful example of medieval architecture.

Through Kreuztor gate into the old quarter
Beyond the gate, some magnificent sights await the visitor, such as the New Palace, the Asam Church with its famous Lepanto monstrance, the Alte Anatomie and the Old Town Hall – originally a group of four buildings completely redesigned in 1882 in a neo-Renaissance style. Next to this is the town's oldest parish church, St. Moritz. A Romanesque church tower rises on its northern side, while to the south stands the slender, Gothic Pfeifturm, formerly a watchtower. 200 steps lead up to the top of this tower, which offers fine panoramic views across the whole town, particularly of the late-Gothic minster, the largest hall church in southern Germany. The minster's massive roof truss consists of seven attics, one above the other, said to have been built out of 7,000 tree trunks. The vast church interior holds exquisite altars, reliefs and stone figures, portraits and wood carvings.

The town's university, which had close links with St. Moritz, was founded in 1472 as Bavaria's first state university. Thanks to its university, Ingolstadt flourished and became the intellectual and cultural centre of Bavaria for more than three centuries. The town still retains some echoes from that heady time, best experienced during a türmerey, a late-night guided walk through the town led by a 'genuine' medieval night watchman.