Holzkirch: History, St. Barbara and prehistoric traces

Local history in two dates

Holzkirch was first mentioned in a document in 1362. In 1385, the town came into the possession of the Free Imperial City of Ulm. The two dates mark different steps: the earlier one indicates the first documentary mention, while the later one marks a change of ownership. Those interested in the town’s history can distinguish between these two clearly separate reference points.

St. Barbara: tower and church building

The massive west tower of St. Barbara is notable for its loopholes and the different periods in which it was built. The lower four stories are Romanesque; the upper story dates from 1783. This dating therefore does not apply equally to the entire tower: it distinguishes the Romanesque lower stories from the later upper story.

The nave and choir also have their own architectural features. Both are Late Gothic; a wooden ceiling dating from around 1486 is also documented for the nave. The choir is two-bay and polygonal: it is divided into two bays and has a multi-sided floor plan. These terms describe the building’s form, while the date around 1486 places the ceiling in time.

Prehistoric traces and location

Remains of a prehistoric rampart can be seen in the Kletthalde in the northwest of the Holzkirch district. A semicircular stone wall runs along the slope edge of the Trutteltal; this valley leads into the Lonetal. The location details place the traces within the district and also indicate the direction of the valley.

The Lonetal also forms the southern boundary of the district. The two geographical reference points are therefore on different sides: the Kletthalde lies in the northwest, while the boundary with the Lonetal is in the south. Together, these details provide a specific frame of reference for the local geography without conflating the prehistoric rampart with the southern district boundary.

Regional context: Alb-Donau district

Beyond Holzkirch, the Alb-Donau district is a regional destination in its own right; the district is part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. Its cultural sites include the Hohle Fels near Schelklingen, a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the discovery site of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Vulture Bone Flute.” Both finds are around 42,500 years old. In Blaustein lies the Stone Age village of Ehrenstein, a Neolithic settlement in the valley of the Blau and part of the transnational and serial UNESCO World Heritage property “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.”

The monasteries in the Alb-Donau district also offer a distinctive architectural focus. Blaubeuren Monastery was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1085; its buildings today date mainly from the Gothic construction period of 1466 to 1510. Obermarchtal Abbey stands directly above the Danube and acquired its present form between 1686 and 1795.

Routes in the Alb-Donau district

For walks, the regional options can be distinguished by distance and tour type. The 20 “Ice Age Trails” circular routes are 6 to 14 km long and suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Ice Age Traces” are 1 to 6 km long; the Reflection Trail is designed for multi-day tours. Cycling options include the 75 km “Ice Age Valleys” tour, the 115 km “Berg Bier Tour,” and the 186 km “Albtäler” cycle route, which has been awarded four stars. This information refers to the broader travel destination of the Alb-Donau district.

Discover more destinations: Nellingen, Breitingen, Lonsee, Westerheim, Ulm, Langenau, Berghülen, Erbach

Back to the main travel overview: Alb-Donau district.