Altenburg: Celtic Paths, the Schanz and Bridges

Altenburg combines the history of a Late Celtic settlement with paths and historic buildings. At its heart is the Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum on the Schwaben peninsula, which is surrounded by the Rhine. During a stay in Altenburg, you can choose between a focus on archaeological history, a cultural trail through buildings and squares, or a hiking route with a stated distance and approximate duration. The following highlights provide a starting point for finding a hotel in Altenburg that suits your interests.

Celtic traces at the Schanz

The Schanz, a defensive rampart approximately 800 metres long, lies on the southeastern edge of the village of Altenburg. It separates the Late Celtic Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum from the hinterland. The oppidum lies on the 233-hectare Schwaben peninsula, which is surrounded by the Rhine. In the 1st century BC, it was one of the most important large Late Celtic settlements north of the Alps. Archaeological finds point to trade, metalworking and coin minting in the settlement. The rampart and the finds show two different aspects of the oppidum: its separation from the hinterland and the activities that took place in the settlement.

Paths through Altenburg

The Altenburg Cultural Trail is a walking route passing important buildings and squares; its 18 stops include the Schanz, St. Jakobus, the Rhine Bridge at Rheinau and the Roman Bridge. Archaeological, religious and architectural-historical points of interest are brought together along the route. The Celtic circular trail is 8.8 kilometres long and takes about two and a half hours to walk. It starts at the village square in Altenburg, crosses the national border at the weir of the Rheinau power station and returns to Altenburg via the Rhine customs bridge at Rheinau. The 18 stops define the Cultural Trail, while the 8.8-kilometre distance and approximate walking time of two and a half hours indicate the timeframe for the Celtic circular trail.

In the wider Jestetten travel destination, ten information boards along the Celtic circular trail provide information about individual aspects of the oppidum and life there; two of the boards are in Rheinau. The trail was officially opened on 27 September 2025.

Bridges with different stories

The Rhine Bridge at Rheinau is a covered wooden bridge between Altenburg and Rheinau. Following several months of renovation work, it was ceremonially reopened in 1988. The Volkenbach Bridge, known as the Roman Bridge, is a different bridge: it was built in 1696; its use was prohibited in 1770 after its foundations were found to be damaged. Preservation repairs in 1892, 1937/38 and 1966 significantly altered the ruins. The hiking trail near the Roman Bridge remains an important pedestrian route. Both bridges are stops on the Cultural Trail, but they tell different stories of construction.

St. Jakobus on the Cultural Trail

The foundation stone for the present-day St. Jakobus Church in Altenburg was laid in 1711 by Abbot Gerold II of Zurlauben. The church was renovated again in 1961, taking on its present appearance. As one of the Cultural Trail’s 18 stops, St. Jakobus complements the Schanz and the bridges with a point of interest relating to church history.

Discover more destinations: Wutöschingen, Wehr, Laufenburg, Bonndorf in the Black Forest, Bad Säckingen, Waldshut-Tiengen, Lauchringen, Herrischried

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