The highest church tower in the world is located in Ulm (see also Guinness Book of Records). From the “Ulmer Münster” (yes, you can climb up many stairs …!) you have a great view across the two cities. With a bit of luck and at the right weather conditions, you can even see the Alps! The Old Town of Ulm is especially charming and offers many medieval buildings, half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways to stroll around.
TOURIST INFORMATION
When you travel to Ulm, you are actually visiting two federal states in the south of Germany. Ulm itself is located in Baden-Württemberg. On the other side of the Danube is Neu-Ulm, which belongs to Bavaria. The two-state city of Ulm/Neu-Ulm is a wonderful mixture of imperial city flair on one side of the Danube and typical Bavarian lifestyle on the other side.
The fishermen's quarter (“Fischerviertel”) is the most beautiful part of Ulm's Old Town with many half-timbered houses, little alleyways and creeks. The fishermen's quarter is also home to the “Leaning House”, which now houses a hotel. But not just any hotel! According to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the most tilted hotel in the world!
There are also a host of other buildings worth seeing in Ulm. When strolling through the city, you should definitely not miss the town hall, the Schwörhaus, the Metzgerturm and the Grabenhäusle. Ulm's Old Town is relatively compact. So you will find all the highlights very easily.
The Berblinger Tower is a new attraction - an observation tower built in 2020 honoring the aviation pioneer Albrecht Berblinger, also known as the “Tailor of Ulm” on the occasion of the 250-year anniversary of his birth. The tower is accessible and has an incline of 10 degrees. It must have felt something like this for the Tailor of Ulm when he attempted to fly across the Danube river!.
Take your time to discover Ulm and Neu-Ulm!
“Schopperplätze” on the Danube
The Danube is the elixir of life for the people of Neu-Ulm. Without this river, the city would not exist. The reorganisation of the European world meant that Bavaria and Württemberg set their new border directly in the middle of the Danube at the gates of Ulm in 1810. Karl Ernst von Gravenreuth, President of the Upper Danube District, saw this as a strategically important point for Bavaria. In 1811, he obtained authorization to found a political municipality called ‘Ulm on the right bank of the Danube’. Neu-Ulm has existed ever since.
The Schopperplätze on the banks of the Danube provided work for many Ulm residents who made transport barges known as ‘Ulmer Schachteln’. Since the 16th century, the “Schießhaus” has been located not far from the river banks. There is a shooting wall here for training purposes for the citizens of Ulm, so that they are not only armed but also trained for attacks. Social life has prevailed here for centuries. People from Ulm stroll along here for the children's festival and for fun, and the people of Neu-Ulm occasionally come here for the folk festival.
Today, these jobs and trades have disappeared, and the Edwin-Scharff-Haus - the venue of this conference - now stands on the square.
Federal fortress
The federal fortress of Ulm was built between 1842 and 1859. The 12.5 km long complex consists of several sections, some of which are still completely intact. The smaller part of the fortifications is located in Neu-Ulm and is mainly made of brick. In 1859, the federal fortress in Neu-Ulm included the glacis (ramparts outside), moat with a lunette, the escarpment wall with 4 caponiers and associated blockhouses as well as two (later three) gates and a railway gate. Around half of this complex has been preserved in Neu-Ulm.
The fortress trail, which was initiated in 2009, invites visitors to explore the fortress. At 10 stations on the Neu-Ulm side and 22 on the Ulm side this trail presents the structure, how it worked and how it is still used today.
