Allmannshofen: Holzen Monastery, Pilgrimage and Trails

Allmannshofen combines the history of Holzen Monastery with the pilgrimage tradition around St. Moritz and a clearly named circular trail. The landscape is also part of the village’s character: the surrounding farmland is predominantly agricultural and part of Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park. Holzen Monastery is also relevant when planning a stay. The monastery complex includes, among other things, a restaurant and hotel. As operational details may change, check the latest information before making plans.

Circular Trail and Way of St. James

The Zeit-auf-dem-HOLZenerWEG is a 4.3-kilometre circular trail. Along the way, the Stations of the Cross lead to the St. Moritz hermitage; the route then follows the hillside through a sunken lane back to the village. On the return, the trail passes the Lourdes Grotto, the monastery garden and the Loreto Chapel. Its length and circular format give the trail its own character, while the Stations of the Cross and the named stops connect it to the village’s history.

The Bavarian-Swabian Way of St. James offers a different perspective: via Mertingen, it reaches the former Benedictine convent of Holzen near Allmannshofen, the destination of that stage. The area therefore features both a local circular trail with several stops and a stage destination on the Way of St. James.

Pilgrimage and Holzen Monastery

For centuries, the St. Moritz Hermitage on the northern edge of Allmannshofen was a pilgrimage destination. The reason was a wooden statue of St. Maurice. The present-day Church of St. Moritz replaced the old chapel in 1710. The pilgrimage tradition and the later construction of the church thus belong to different periods in the history of this place.

Holzen Monastery makes its own architectural statement. With its two towers, it stands on the hill above the Schmutter and rises prominently above the Lech plain. The monastery church features richly decorated Baroque furnishings and elaborate stucco work. In Allmannshofen, you can therefore encounter both the history of the St. Moritz Hermitage and the Baroque design of the monastery church in Holzen.

Village Life and Kneipp Facility

The Kneipp facility is in the centre of Allmannshofen, opposite Kirchberghalle. It offers foot baths and a classic arm bath for all age groups. Both treatments are available at the same facility, whose location in the village centre can be identified by Kirchberghalle.

The Johannimarkt in Holzen is also part of village life. It has a long tradition; since 1856, its organisation has been in the hands of the municipality of Allmannshofen. This historical continuity is a distinct aspect of the village alongside its pilgrimage tradition, monastery church and trails.

Landscape and Further Trails in the Wider Augsburg Destination

The farmland around Allmannshofen is part of Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park. The wider Augsburg destination offers additional nature and cultural experiences. The Bonstetten LandArt art trail is a 5.65-kilometre circular hiking route, where the artist Hama Lohrmann personally explains his sculptures. Another route is the three-kilometre meditation trail from Oberschönenfeld Cistercian Abbey to Weiherhof on the edge of the Schwarzach Valley forest. The two routes offer different themes: an art trail in a circular format and a meditation trail between the abbey and Weiherhof.

Cyclists can use a well-developed network of cycle paths in the district of Augsburg. The Stauden, Holzwinkel and Reischenau regions are part of Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park. Westwood Alpacas also offers regular alpaca hikes and excursions through the nature park. So, beyond hiking trails, the wider Augsburg destination also offers cycling routes and guided alpaca excursions.

View the wider travel overview: Nordendorf.