Eichstätt

Understand

Until the 1972 redrawing of municipal boundaries,mit was administratively part of Middle Franconia. The seat of a bishopric and a small university, the town is fiercely Catholic, which may have played a role in separating it from the more Lutheran Middle Franconia.

Getting there

By train As the first train station sat outside the town (but more conveniently along the railway line) a secondary "Eichstätt Stadt" station was built later.

1 Bahnhof Eichstätt. 2 Bahnhof Eichstätt Stadt.

Getting around

Much of Eichstätt can be explored on foot, as the distances are very short. Otherwise, there is a bus network that connects the most important points in the city and the surrounding area. Another good means of transport in Eichstätt is the bicycle. Especially in summer, the cityscape is dominated by cyclists who follow the Altmühltal cycle path.

See

1 Jura-Museum. The Jurassic museum includes an original Archaeopteryx. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Museum für Ur- und Frühgeschichte auf der Willibaldsburg (Pre-historic and early history museum). (updated Dec 2020) 3 Diözesanmuseum Eichstätt. (updated Dec 2020)

Religious buildings As an arch-Catholic seat of a diocese dating back to the 8th century, Eichstätt is naturally home to numerous ornate Catholic religious buildings.

4 Dom zu Eichstätt (Cathedral). Dedicated to St. Salvator, Our Lady and St. Willibald, it is the cathedral church of the diocese of Eichstätt and is located in the centre of the city. The cathedral does not have a uniform architectural style and its origins go back to the 11th century: the Sacrament Chapel dates from the early Romanesque period, the towers from the High Romanesque period (12th century), the west choir (from 1256) with the bones of St. Willibald is early Gothic, the nave is High Gothic (14th century), the chapter sacristy with the Roritzer Chapel dates from the late Gothic period; late Baroque on the west façade. Particularly worth seeing in the interior of the church are the baroque Willibald Altar in the west choir of the cathedral, the Pappenheim Altar (11  m high), and the high Gothic main altar (from 1884, figures around 1480), the figures of the Siboto Madonna (1297) and the Buchenhüller Madonna (around 1480) and various grave monuments. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Residenz Eichstätt. The palace once used by the prince-bishops. Built in the Baroque style. The first section of the current three-wing complex was built from 1700 under court architect Jakob Engel and, according to the portal inscription, was already completed in 1702 with its west wing and probably also the east wing. Under court architect Gabriel de Gabrieli, who was appointed Engel's successor in 1716, the south wing was built while retaining the overall concept of his predecessor. From 1767 to 1768, the third court architect Maurizio Pedetti added the new staircas

Eat

1 Gasthof Krone, Domplatz 3, ☏ +49 8421-4406. Mainly classic dishes from the regional cuisine. Good value for money. When the weather is good, you can sit in front of the inn on the cathedral square or in the cozy courtyard.

Sleep

1 Gästehaus der Benedektinerinnenabtei St. Walburg, Abtei St. Walburg/Marienhaus, Walburgiberg 6, ☏ +49 8421-9887-0, [email protected]. 6 single rooms and 13 double rooms with shower/WC. The rooms are practically hotel standard, but the breakfast is more like a youth hostel. There is a kitchenette for guests, a small lounge with TV and direct access to the monastery's baroque garden. There are parking spaces for cars and storage for bicycles. double €72 incl. breakfast.