Easy hikes and walks in Donauhänge Und Auen Zwischen Leipheim Und Offingen

The Lower Gate with its clock tower is one of Günzburg's landmarks. However, it is far more than just a striking, representative feature. It was once one of the most important entrances to the city. The tower keeper lived at the top and had to ring the bells hourly, day and night, so that the citizens knew someone was on watch. The many windows were not decorative, but provided a panoramic view. From here, the watchmen kept a lookout for enemies and fires.

The city center of Günzburg is particularly charming in good weather.

Günz, rear left Nau, front right Middle of the Danube

In front, the Nau Back left, the Günz Center, the Danube

The Marian pilgrimage site offers inner peace and meditation to local history enthusiasts and nature lovers, as well as those who are hectic with everyday life and want to enjoy a little peace and quiet. Several benches in front of the grotto invite you to rest. A "nature-oriented" Stations of the Cross lead between the Danube and the grotto.

The city area was already settled in Roman times in ancient times. For over 500 years, Günzburg belonged to the Habsburg Empire and thus to Austria. It was not until 1806 that the city was incorporated into the Kingdom of Bavaria. The almost completely preserved historic old town is particularly charming. The center of Günzburg is surrounded by largely intact city fortifications. At the center lies Günzburg's market square, through which Marktstraße runs. This divides the old town into two parts. It is bordered by two stone towers with gates. The town tower at the western end was built in the 14th century and can be climbed via an internal staircase. Buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries line the narrow alleys. The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is a magnificent Rococo building. The church was consecrated in 1780 and features an ornately decorated interior. The church was consecrated in 1780 and has a richly decorated interior. Source: https://www.faszination-bayern.de/orte-a-i/guenzburg/

The Lower Gate was built in the Gothic style in the 14th century. More precise information about the builders and the date of construction is unavailable. Dendrochronological analysis dates the oak logs above the first upper story to the autumn or winter of 1436. This provides a clue as to the construction period of the final gate structure. In its original form, the tower, with its square base and octagonal spire, can be seen in the city view in the "Mirror of Honor of the House of Austria." There, it already bears the name "Das under Thor" (The Lower Gate). The tower keepers and their families used to live in the tower keeper's room. The fifth and sixth floors served as both work and living quarters. The tower keeper was also a music teacher. To supplement his meager wages, he gave music lessons to the students of the neighboring Piarist college. On clear nights, the Piarists are said to have practiced astronomy in the uppermost tower room. In 1817, the Lower Gate was fitted with its first clock. The clock mechanism originally came from the old town hall (demolished in 1809) and displayed the hours and zodiac signs on a large dial, the quarter hours on a smaller one, and the phases of the moon in between. Source: https://www.altstadtfreunde-guenzburg.de/

Until the town fire of 1735, two buildings stood on this site. The trading company Brentano-Monticelli & Co. purchased both properties and had a grand town palace built in 1747. After the trading house's business in Günzburg declined, the company sold the property in 1758 for 11,000 florins to the Institute of the English Ladies, which operated a girls' school in the building until 1825. A chapel was established on the first floor around 1766. After 1825, a wine shop was established in the building, which was run by various owners until 1938. In 1938, the Günzburg Savings Bank bought the building and established a branch there, which still exists today. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brentano-Haus_(G%C3%BCnzburg)