Germany from A to Z: Ulm
We are taking a tour through Germany and every week we'll introduce you to a new town, guided by the alphabet. This time U leads us to Ulm — a city in southern Germany with the highest church tower in the world.
Banks of the Danube
The Danube separates Ulm in Baden-Württemberg (seen here) from Neu-Ulm in Bavaria. In 1810, a new border was created between Bavaria and Württemberg in the middle of the river Danube in front of Ulm. This place was strategically important for the Bavarians, which is why they founded Neu-Ulm on the other side of the river. Today the Danube banks are a popular promenade on both sides of the river.
Ulm Cathedral
During the Second World War, Ulm was destroyed by bombing raids — but the cathedral was miraculously left standing in the middle of the debris field. Ulm's landmark rises 161.53 meters (530 ft.) into the air. The cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany and has the highest church tower in the world. 768 steps lead to a viewing platform with an excellent panoramic view of the city.
Ulm Town Hall
Not far from the cathedral is the Town Hall of Ulm, an early Renaissance building with a richly painted facade. Worth seeing is a replica of Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger's aircraft in the stairwell. The Ulm tailor and aviation pioneer tried to fly with such an apparatus in 1811 but failed. His aircraft was burnt, he became impoverished and later died penniless.
Fishermen's and tanners' quarter
The fishermen's and tanners' quarter, at the confluence of the river Blau and the Danube, with its alleys, bridges, and half-timbered houses, is the most important old part of Ulm. It certainly wasn't as idyllic as it is today, because here the tanners worked with stinking animal skins, which they processed into leather. Seven mill wheels creaked away while the fishermen went out onto the Danube.
The Crooked House
Many buildings in the fishermen's and tanners' quarter from the 15th to 17th century have their foundations directly in the water. In the course of time, they've sunk into the soft ground and thus become crooked. This late Gothic half-timbered house was particularly affected and was named the most crooked hotel in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.
Federal Fortifications
From 1842 to 1859 a monumental city wall was built around Ulm and Neu-Ulm. This "federal fortification" made Ulm a garrison town, which served as the central southern German defense, supply and retreat facility of the German Federation. The 12.5-kilometer (7.7-mile) "Festungsweg" (fortress path) leads to the individual, preserved buildings.
Wilhelmsburg
Wilhelmsburg Castle, atop the Michelsberg hill, towers defiantly above Ulm. The citadel is the strongest of the federal fortifications and was regarded as the last place of retreat, but was never used in acts of war. In the meantime, it's been a refugee camp and accommodation for the Bundeswehr, Germany's army. It fell out of use in recent years but is gradually being revived through cultural use.
Water Tower
If you walk along the fortress path, you will also come to Ulm's Bavarian sister city Neu-Ulm. Its landmark is the water tower, which supplied Neu-Ulm with groundwater between 1900 and 1964. It is also connected to the federal fortification as it stands on former powder depots. It rises 47 meters into the air and is surrounded by Kollmannspark. Only the outside of the tower can be visited.
Einstein fountain
Albert Einstein, physicist and scientific legend, was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm. He lived in the city for only 15 months, but Ulm is of course still proud of its famous son. Some places are reminiscent of the genius, for example the EinsteinHaus belonging to the Ulm Adult Education Center or the fountain at the armory (seen here).
Schwäbische Alb mountain region
Ulm is located on the edge of the Swabian Alb, a rough and lovely natural area with waterfalls, rocks and more than 2,000 caves. One of the many excursion destinations is only half an hour away from Ulm — the Blautopf Lake in Blaubeuren. Many myths and legends surround the enchanted, turquoise-blue lake.