Bach a.d.Donau – Viticulture and Architectural History

Bach a.d.Donau combines the history of viticulture with buildings from different periods. At the BaierWein Museum, the former wine press house, a historic tree press and equipment used in the vineyards and in winemaking take centre stage. The Catholic parish church of the Nativity of Mary adds its own architectural history to the town. If you are planning a stay, you can shape your visit around your interests in viticulture and architectural history.

Baierwein in the former wine press house

The former wine press house, later the BaierWein Museum, is a single-storey building with a shallow-pitched gabled roof dating from the Late Gothic period, probably from the 15th or 16th century. The museum’s central exhibit is a tree press dating from 1615, one of the oldest wine presses in Germany. The dates provide a contrast: the building is dated only approximately, while a specific year is given for the press.

The BaierWein Museum also displays tools for vineyard work and plant protection, as well as winemaking equipment, including a grape crusher, screw press and wine filter. The museum’s wine trail introduces the region’s main white and red grape varieties on information boards and in the museum grounds. The focus therefore differs from one place to another: the collection showcases tools and equipment, while the trail is devoted to grape varieties.

The parish church’s architectural history

The Catholic parish church of the Nativity of Mary has a nave, a narrower chancel and a tower over the chancel. A narrower chancel is less wide than the nave and forms a distinct part of the building. The church is dated to 1712, whereas the nave dates from 1979. Keep these dates distinct: the earlier date refers to the church, while 1979 is explicitly associated with the nave.

Wine-growing region and getting there by bike

Bach a.d.Donau lies in Bavaria’s smallest wine-growing region, along the Danube. The region covers around four hectares and currently has about 20 winegrowers. These figures give Baierwein a specific regional context; the museum and wine trail explore the subject through historic equipment and the region’s grape varieties.

You can reach the BaierWein Museum by bike via the Danube Cycle Path or the Danube Panorama Cycle Path, following the signs for the “Wine Route”. The directions for both routes give the same guidance: look out for the Wine Route signs. You can include this cycling route in your plans without needing to allow for a specific travel time.

More cultural and landscape themes in the wider Regensburg destination

In the wider Regensburg destination, the Walhalla offers a different architectural perspective. This neoclassical memorial and hall of honour lies on the Danube and is one of Germany’s important neoclassical buildings. Since 1842, it has honoured notable Germans and people connected with German history through marble busts and commemorative plaques. Its exterior is Doric, with 52 columns. In contrast to the Late Gothic wine press house in Bach a.d.Donau, the emphasis here is on its commemorative purpose and neoclassical design.

Also in the wider Regensburg destination is the Nepal Himalaya Park in Wiesent. Covering nine hectares, it combines Asian culture and nature with a Nepalese temple, a richly varied perennial garden and numerous Asian works of art. The park also includes a Himalayan garden and a Chinese garden, as well as more than 6,200 different plant species. This place therefore has a landscape focus distinct from the themes of viticulture and architectural history in Bach a.d.Donau: here, gardens, plant diversity and works of art shape the description.

Discover more destinations: Brunn, Duggendorf, Wenzenbach, Brennberg, Sinzing, Holzheim, Hemau, Tegernheim

Back to the wider travel overview: Regensburg.