Ellingen: Residence, Palace Park and Toy Museum
Accommodation in Ellingen
Courtly architectural history and worlds of toys come together in Ellingen: the residence, the palace park directly behind it and the toy museum in the Pleinfelder Tor each offer a different perspective. The Palace Church and the parish church of St. George with the Mariahilf Chapel are also among the town’s special sights. This makes it easy to give your holiday a cultural focus without every discovery having to revolve around the same theme.
Residence, Churches and Palace Park
Construction of Ellingen’s present-day palace complex began in 1708; at that time, the Late Gothic Palace Church was given a Baroque makeover. At its core, it is a Gothic hall church built of sandstone blocks. The building therefore reveals both its older Gothic core and its later Baroque character. The rooms of the residence, with their stuccowork and furnishings by Michel d’Ixnard, are among Bavaria’s most important examples of Neoclassical interior design. Architecture enthusiasts will find several periods and styles in one place, rather than just a single architectural style.
The palace park begins immediately behind the residence. It offers a distinct experience alongside the interiors and architectural history: the Ellingen residence also opens directly onto the outdoors. The parish church of St. George with the Mariahilf Chapel adds another perspective on Ellingen’s churches. Together, these buildings offer different points of interest for a stay, whether you are more interested in the history of the palace, sacred architecture or the residence’s interiors.
Toys, Brewing Culture and Getting There
In Ellingen’s town centre, the toy museum in the Pleinfelder Tor displays an extensive collection of toys of all kinds. Special exhibitions on Märklin construction sets are held there regularly. If you would like to see one of these exhibitions, check the current dates. The museum offers a different focus from the residence: here, the variety of toys takes centre stage rather than architectural history.
Another facet of the town is the Fürst Carl Schlossbrauerei Ellingen brewery. It has been in operation since 1690 and offers Franconian beer specialities. If you are travelling by train, Ellingen station is a useful reference point: the residence is a 15-minute walk from there. Check the current timetable for your journey.
More to Discover in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen Destination
Beyond Ellingen’s architectural history, the wider Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen destination also boasts a rich Roman heritage. The Limes runs for around 40 kilometres across the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site there since 2005. Germany’s largest Roman treasure find is on display at the Roman Museum in Weißenburg, which also houses the Central Bavarian Limes Information Centre. Weißenburg’s Roman heritage also includes the Roman Baths. Numerous Roman watchtowers, forts and fragments of bath buildings elsewhere in the district bear further witness to this history.
The Wülzburg offers another way to explore the history of the wider destination: this former Ansbach Hohenzollern fortress stands above Weißenburg on the southern Franconian Jura’s highest hilltop, at an elevation of 630 metres, and is an impressive monument to Renaissance fortress architecture in Germany. Weather permitting, guided tours are offered there from May to October. Check the latest information before travelling. If you prefer following a route, the Weißenburg hiking trail “Via Biriciana” leads along old Roman roads to the Limes.
Routes and Water in the Wider Destination
In the wider Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen destination, you can also compare different activities in the Altmühltal Nature Park. The Altmühltal Panorama Trail runs for 200 kilometres along the Altmühl from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim and is certified as a “Quality Trail for Hiking in Germany.” The Altmühltal Cycle Path also connects Gunzenhausen and Kelheim, is around 160 kilometres long and runs through the Altmühltal Nature Park. Their shared endpoints, but different ways of getting around, can help you decide whether a long-distance hike or cycling route better suits your plans. If the certification is important to your plans, check its current status.
At Lake Altmühlsee, northwest of Gunzenhausen, activities include swimming, sailing and windsurfing. The 120-hectare Bird Island offers ornithological tours organised by the Bavarian Society for the Protection of Birds; check availability in advance. In the wider destination, culture, routes and nature experiences sit side by side, while Ellingen itself offers a distinct cultural focus with its residence, churches, museum and brewery.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Pappenheim, Raitenbuch, Solnhofen, Gnotzheim, Dittenheim, Theilenhofen, Langenaltheim, Muhr Am See.
To the overview of the wider destination: Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen.
