Settlement history
Settlement History

It is truly justified to call the Ries and the surrounding countryside the land of castles: Still preserved castles, castle stables, and also ruins of former castles bear witness to the enormous wealth of the former lordships, as rarely found elsewhere. Especially worth to mention are the Castle of Harburg , one of the largest, oldest and best preserved castles in Southern Germany, Baldern Castle , the ruins of Niederhaus Castle , and also the Residence at Oettingen with its precious stucco work and its famous banqueting hall.



Harburg Castle, one of the largest castles in Southern Germany



Baldern Castle





Heilig-Kreuz Monastery, Donauwörth



Maria Brünnlein, Wemding



Residence castle Oettingen



Heilig-Kreuz Monastery, Donauwörth



Church in the monastery, Moenchsdeggingen



The convent of Kirchheim



Carthusian Monastery, Christgarten

Among the most important heritage of monasteries are the former Bene dictine monasteries of Auhausen and Mönchsdeggingen , the Cistercian convents Kirchheim and Klosterzimmern, the Carthusian monastery at Christgarten and the city monasteries of Nördlingen, Donauwörth and Wemding , together with numerous churches in the villages and towns, most of which feature valuable decoration.



Market Square, Bopfingen at the Ipf





Market Square, Wemding

Cities and towns were of special significance for the development of the cultural environment: The former Free Imperial Cities of Nördlingen , Bopfingen , and Donauwörth (until 1608), the former Residence Towns of Oettingen and Wemding, a town that belonged to Bavaria since 1467. This also includes the castle and town of Harburg, which in the mid 13th century fell to Oettingen and was a place of residence from 1493 to 1549.



The former Free Imperial City of Nördlingen, around which you can walk all the way on the completely preserved city wall

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