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Authored by Jamie Kathleen

Part of the charm of rural Bavaria is exploring the small villages that are spread out around the countryside. A scenic hour and a half drive from Munich, for instance, will take you past farms, forests, rivers and enormous wind turbines.

While there is much of the Bavarian countryside to explore, one small town does rise above the rest, and with it’s charming architecture, colorful houses and ancient castle ruins, Kallmünz is a medieval town which should not be missed.

A Guide to Kallmünz, Germany. 

The small town of Kallmünz, Germany can be found where the Naab and Vils Rivers join and continue together as one through the Bavarian countryside. The first historical record of the town dates back to 990 A.D., though it was possibly a settlement long before that time.

There are many incredible buildings to enjoy on a self guided walk through Kallmünz. Many are painted with bright colors and have intricate designs carved or painted into the exterior. Some are even built right up against the looming stone wall that reaches up to the town’s castle ruins. One house is actually build into the rock, and is known as the “house without a roof.”

To hike up the mountain to the castle ruins, you can either climb via a steep path and reach the top quickly, or enjoy the scenery of the town by opting for the longer, more level route. Though another option is to become absolutely, irretrievably lost on the way down and find yourself a mile outside of town! It’s fun either way.

There are beautiful views in all four directions from the top of the mountain. If it’s a fairly clear day you will have panoramic views of the Bavarian countryside – trees, hills, mountains, and rivers. A young couple enjoying a couple beers while perched atop castle ruins is a photo opportunity which is there year round. Germans love their beer!

+ Historical Fact +

In 1713, the plague hit the nearby town of Regensburg. Thousands of people died in the city and it started rapidly spreading to the neighboring villages. The people living in Kallmünz were afraid and promised to build a chapel to honor St. Sebastian if they were spared from the plague. It passed by Kallmünz without touching them, and in 1762 the church was built.

 Current Festivals and Traditions in Kallmünz

+ Castle Festival +

Every first Sunday of August there is a festival held at the castle ruins with music, food, drink and fun for the whole family.

+ New Year’s Eve at Kallmünz +

Every year, an hour before midnight, the rifle and cannon members meet at the marketplace in Kallmünz to walk together to the castle, where they have a big campfire with punch, mulled wine, sparkling wine and gun salutes.

+  Johannifeuer (Mid-Summer Fire) +

There is a Summer Solstice celebration in Kallmünz with a “huge midsummer fire” after dark on June 20th. Before lighting the wood, the children walk through the town with torches.

+ Classic Car Parade +

There is a group called Oldtimerfreunde that meets on the 1st Sunday in June to parade restored, classic cars through the streets of Kallmünz.

Night Watchman Tour

A night watchman will guide you through Kallmünz as if it were medieval times, calling on his horn and singing. He tells tales of the history of the town and how whenever the town was in danger from enemies, fire, or flood, he would blow the horn to warn the villagers.

Guided Tours by Night Watchman run October – March at 6pm, and at 10pm during the summer. The tour meets in Vilsbrücke and lasts one hour and 30 minutes

Price: Adults 7€, children 4€.

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Jamie Kathleen is a family travel blogger and grad student who travels, writes, and explores. She is currently in Europe and blogging about her family’s adventures at www.northofsomething.com.

Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Featured Pinterest Photos CC Brian Snelson & pfatter. 

    49 Comments

  1. I went to a place like that when I was in Germany. Unfortunately, I was only 14, and I did not appreciate it at the time like I should’ve.

    • I can totally relate! I did a lot of traveling when I was younger and as much as I enjoyed it, I don’t think I fully appreciated it (or took enough photos)!

  2. such a beautiful place! the castle festival sounds so fun!!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

    • Doesn’t it! Would love to be there one year for that :)

    • I totally agree Sandy! I’m hoping we can make it out this year :)

  3. The fact about the the plaque not even touching the town is so bizarre! What great information here. Europe is a dream destination for me and I would love for my entire family to go including my children, but I think they need to grow up a little more and then take an international vacation.

    • Isn’t it!! So crazy how it could have just completely passed over an entire city. At that stage I probably would have built a church too!

      Europe is one of my favorite destinations in the world – so much culture and history, definitely a decent idea to save up for when your children can appreciate and remember the experience :) Such a great spot for a family vacation though, Europe has so much to offer for those traveling with kids :)

    • That little fact totally floored me, too. I hope you and your family have a great time in Europe when the kiddos are older!

  4. The ruins look really scenic. They have a lot of scenic attractions here.

    • Absolutely – Europe and German in general is so great for that :)

  5. Thanks for sharing this location. It looks like it’s full of history and the Castle festivals sound like a lot of fun!

    • Glad you enjoyed Jamie’s guest post Chanelle! Germany is such a fabulous destination for fascinating history and fabulous traditions :)

  6. I would love to visit Bavaria, it looks so beautiful, and I especially like the idea of the Midsummer torch parade. I’m putting it on my bucket list!

    • Glad to hear! I hope you manage to make a trip happen soon :)

    • Bavaria is pretty gorgeous year-round! I hope you make it our here one day, Sara-Jayne!

  7. I have never been to this part of Europe and would love to spend time backpacking around and learning all the history. This is a great guide that will be reference if I ever plan a trip to Germany!

    • Glad you enjoyed the guide Angela – I hope you manage a trip to Germany soon – really is such a fantastic spot for a backpacking trip, and the history is just fascinating!

  8. Oh Kallmünz looks lovely! I’ve always wanted to visit Germany (or Europe in general!) The “house without a roof” looks like quite a sight, I’d look to see that in person some day <3

    • I hope you have the chance! Germany truly is such a stunning location, and its small villages are the best!

    • The house without a roof is an incredible sight! It looked like there were people in there walking around, but I don’t think visitors can tour it. Pretty interesting to walk up to, though!

  9. I had never heard of this place before this post. I really would love to explore places like this!

    • Glad we could introduce you to Kallmunz!

  10. My husband’s aunt lives in Berlin. I’d LOVE to head over there and explore one day.

    • Family is a great excuse for travel! Hope you manage to make a trip happen soon :)

  11. Looks like a fantastic place! I probably would have taken the route that got me lost too.

    • Getting lost is the best way to explore a new place :D

    • haha thanks, I’m glad I’m not the only one! My husband is so good with directions and I’m the WORST!

  12. I had never heard of this place before this post. I really would love to explore places like this!

    • Glad we could introduce you to Kallmunz!

  13. I’d never thought about the plague hitting anywhere but England before! Great post, we love Germany.

    • Wiped through nearly all of Europe! Except Kallmunz from the sound of it!

  14. This looks like a great place to visit. I really wish I could do more international travelling. It would be so fun to visit here.

    • I hope you have the opportunity to make some international travel happen soon :) Germany would be a great place to start :)

  15. Your photos are amazing! This looks like a beautiful place to both visit and explore.

    • Glad you enjoyed the post Tammilee – and agreed, Jamie’s photos are beautiful – I can’t wait to travel myself!

  16. My husband visited Germany and he really enjoyed it. I so got the itchy feet and want to travel!

    • I’m glad your husband had a good time in Germany. I hope you can make it out here one day too :)

  17. I need to get back to Bavaria, I only visited Munich during Oktoberfest, and whilst we took a day out to go to Schloss Neuschwanstein, I didn’t see much of the area apart from those fun tents. Our drive to Neuschwanstein was stunning. I had hoped to sleep the whole way but the mountains we drove up and past were just too gorgeous.

    • We haven’t made it out to Neuschwanstein yet, but hopefully soon! I’ve heard to many great things and seen so many spectacular photos. I’m definitely looking forward to Oktoberfest as well :) Thanks for reading!

  18. I’d love to see the castle ruins. I wonder if I’ll ever get to make a trip there.

    • I hope you do, Tami! There are so many castle ruins all over Germany, and many castles and city walls still standing. It’s incredible!

  19. This uis why I love blogs. You can always visit foreign places without leaving home. I would love to go but can’t at the moment.

    • I couldn’t agree more, Margarita! I love hopping around my favorite travel blogs to check out all the amazing places that are out there.

  20. What gorgeous photos! I’ve always wanted to go to Germany :)

    • Thank you Chrissy! I really hope you can make it to Germany one day and see it for yourself!

  21. I love Germany – yes I didn’t had this town on my list – so thank you for pointing out another wonderful place to visit in this country! It looks like a wonderful one!

    • Have a wonderful trip Loredana!

  22. Hey,

    Thanks for sharing a great stuff about Kallmünz, Germany. it’s really a historical place in Germany

    • Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks Neal!

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