Market Square
Marktplatz

The Marktplatz in Ulm has been the natural center of the city since the Middle Ages. The square was built as a marketplace close to the main traffic routes and not far from the Danube, from where goods were transported to and from the city’s river port. Here, farmers sold their crops, fishermen their catches, and craftsmen offered everything from clothing to metal goods. Its central location made the square a meeting place and a place where the city council members could address the citizens.

Architecturally, the square is characterized by buildings from different periods, which together form a lively urban space, which is, however, characterized by a simplified reconstruction after the destruction of World War II. The most striking feature is the town hall Ulmer Rathaus, which stands on one side of the square with its rich Renaissance frescoes and the famous astronomical clock.

The Fischkasten-Brunnen on the Marktplatz in Ulm was built in 1482 and is one of the city’s oldest and most characteristic fountains. It was originally used as a storage place for live fish sold at the market, which explains its name. The fountain is decorated in Gothic style with a hexagonal basin and a column bearing figures of saints and the city’s coat of arms, symbolizing both faith and civic pride. Over the centuries, the fountain has served as a practical source of water for merchants and citizens, but today it is primarily a decorative monument and an atmospheric centerpiece of the square.

Old City Hall
Altes Rathaus

The Altes Rathaus in Ulm has a history that dates back to the 14th century. It was originally built as a trading house, emphasizing the city’s economic importance in the Middle Ages. Later, the building was converted into the seat of the city council, where the councilors made decisions on the city’s political and legal affairs. The town hall became the center of local power, and it was from here that Ulm was governed as an independent imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire.

Architecturally, the Altes Rathaus is a masterpiece. The facade is covered with colorful frescoes painted in the 16th century, depicting both biblical scenes and allegories of justice and social morality. These frescoes had an educational function and were intended to remind citizens and officials of their responsibility to God and society. A special attraction is the astronomical clock from the 1520s, which shows the time, the movement of the sun and moon, and the signs of the zodiac, which was an expression of the Renaissance fascination with natural science and cosmology.

Ulm Cathedral
Ulmer Münster

The Ulm Cathedral is undoubtedly Ulm’s best-known landmark and one of the most impressive church buildings in all of Europe. Construction began in 1377, and it was a time when Ulm as an imperial city experienced its greatest prosperity. The special thing about the project was that it was not initiated by a prince or bishop, but by the citizens of the city themselves. They financed the construction through gifts, taxes and donations, making the cathedral a symbol of the self-confident civic government that characterized Ulm in the Middle Ages.

However, work on the church spanned many centuries. In 1543, construction was interrupted due to the Reformation and financial difficulties. At that time, the tower was only about 100 meters high, and the rest of the building was unfinished. It was not until the 19th century that work resumed. This happened during the Romantic movement’s enthusiasm for medieval architecture, and in 1890 Ulm Cathedral was finally completed, more than 500 years after its foundation.

Ulm Cathedral is a highlight of late Gothic architecture. The church measures 123 meters long, 49 meters wide and can accommodate up to 2,000 people, making it one of the largest Protestant churches in the world. The most famous feature is undoubtedly the central tower, which at 161.5 meters is the highest church tower in the world. From the viewing platform at a height of 143 meters, on clear days you can see all the way to the Alps, and the view over the church and Ulm is also breathtaking.

Inside, the church is characterized by high ribbed vaults, which create a monumental spatial effect, and the light entering through the stained glass windows creates an atmospheric spiritual atmosphere. The nave is surrounded by aisles and chapels, and in the middle is the large choir, which is decorated with a number of unique works of art. The building is an example of the so-called bourgeois Gothic, where the architecture was intended to express both religious piety and the proud self-image of the city’s citizens.

The church contains a large number of works of art from different periods. The most famous are the ornate choir stalls, which were made by the carpenter Jörg Syrlin the Elder in 1469–1474. The stalls are decorated with figures of biblical figures, ancient philosophers and contemporary portraits, reflecting the humanistic influence of the Renaissance. On the walls of the choir you can also find sculptures and reliefs that are among the most important examples of German late Gothic art.

Hans Multscher, who was one of Ulm’s most famous sculptors, also contributed to the decoration of the church with works that combine religious symbolism with a realistic depiction of man. You can also see the church’s organ, which dates back to the 15th century. It has been expanded and restored several times since then, and today it is considered one of the largest in Germany.

Fishermen’s Quarter
Fischerviertel

The Fischerviertel is one of the most charming and historically significant districts in Ulm. The area lies along the Blau River, a tributary of the Danube, and in the Middle Ages the district was home to fishermen, millers and tanners who depended on the running water for their daily work. The district was characterized by lively activity with fish markets, small workshops and houses built directly on the water. It was a working area, but also a densely populated residential area, where families lived side by side in modest conditions.

The district is characterized by its many half-timbered houses from the 15th to 17th centuries, several of which are crooked due to the unstable foundations in the damp terrain. One of the most famous houses is the Schiefes Haus, which is now a hotel and has a pronounced slope that makes it one of Ulm’s greatest curiosities. Narrow alleys, small bridges and canals give the Fischerviertel an atmosphere reminiscent of a medieval Venice in miniature.

Today, the Fischerviertel has been transformed from a working-class district into one of Ulm’s most popular tourist destinations. The old houses now house restaurants, galleries, cafés and workshops that attract visitors. The special atmosphere of the district gives a sense of what life in Ulm must have been like in the Middle Ages. It is a living museum where architecture, history and the present merge.

Leaning House
Schiefes Haus

The Schiefes Haus is one of the most famous half-timbered houses in Ulm’s Fischerviertel. It has a history that dates back to the 14th century, when it was originally used as a residence and workplace for local craftsmen and fishermen who lived along the Blau River. The history of the house is closely linked to the city’s medieval development, where narrow alleys and canals were the lifeblood of both trade and daily life. The building was built on wooden foundations, which were typical of the area, but which over time gave way to the damp ground.

The most characteristic thing about the Schiefes Haus is its pronounced slope. The house slopes several degrees over the river, which has earned it the nickname Ulm’s crooked house. The building was built in traditional southern German half-timbering with wooden beams, small windows and slanted facades, which create a completely unique and charming architecture. Despite the slope, the house has stood stable for over 600 years and today stands as an impressive example of medieval building techniques.

Today, the Leaning House is both a popular tourist attraction and a hotel with a café and restaurant. Many visitors come to experience the house’s crooked angles and take pictures of the characteristic facade while enjoying the view of the Fischerviertel and the Blau River.

Butcher Tower
Metzgerturm

The Butcher’s Tower was built around 1340 as part of Ulm’s medieval city fortifications. The tower, which was part of Ulm’s city wall, served as both a defensive structure and a gate to the Danube. It takes its name from the city’s butchers, who, according to a popular legend, were imprisoned here in the 14th century for selling spoiled meat to the city’s citizens. The truth is probably less dramatic, but the tower was used as a prison for various offenders. However, the story of the butchers has stuck and given the building its distinctive name.

The tower is a striking example of medieval military architecture. It was built of brick with a square base and a height of around 36 meters. At the top, it is adorned with a characteristic octagonal spire covered in tiles. The most remarkable thing about the Metzgerturm, however, is its tilt. The foundation has given way over the centuries, so that the tower leans more than two meters to one side, which has earned it the nickname Ulm’s leaning tower.

Today, the Metzgerturm is one of Ulm’s most photographed monuments and a permanent part of the city’s tourist experience. It marks the entrance to the historic part of the Fischerviertel, making it a natural starting point for walks through the old alleys. The tower is naturally no longer used for military or prison purposes, but stands as one of the city’s most popular attractions.

The Arsenal
Zeughaus

The Zeughaus was built in the 16th century as the city’s arsenal and military warehouse. As an independent imperial city, Ulm needed strong defense, and armor, cannons, firearms and other equipment for the city’s militia were stored here. The building was therefore both a practical facility and a symbol of the city’s military strength and independence.

The architecture is characterized by the simple but robust form of the Renaissance. The thick walls and few decorative elements signaled security and functionality rather than representation. The Zeughaus was constructed to withstand fires and attacks due to its military importance. After Ulm lost some of its political and military importance in the 18th and 19th centuries, the building was given new functions and is used today for cultural purposes and events.

Schwörhaus

The Schwörhaus is inextricably linked to Ulm’s political history and democratic traditions. The building is the site of the annual oath-taking on Schwörmontag, where the mayor has sworn since the Middle Ages to govern for the benefit of the common man, which means for the benefit of the ordinary citizen. This custom has its roots in the city’s constitution, which guaranteed the citizens an unusually high degree of autonomy compared to other cities in the then Holy Roman Empire.

The current building was built in 1613 after a fire destroyed the former Schwörhaus. The architecture is characterized by a mixture of late Renaissance and early Baroque with a simple and dignified facade. Inside, a large hall was set up where ceremonies and political meetings took place. Today, the Schwörhaus is still the center of the city’s political ceremonies. Every year in July, citizens and guests gather in front of the house for Schwörmontag, where the Lord Mayor repeats the historic oath. The festivities continue with processions and events throughout the city.

Wiblingen Abbey
Kloster Wiblingen

Wiblingen Abbey was founded in 1093 by Counts Hartmann and Otto von Kirchberg as a Benedictine monastery. The purpose was both religious and political, as the monastery was to function as a center of Christian faith and as a means of strengthening the power of the nobility in the area. In the Middle Ages, Wiblingen grew into one of the most important monasteries in Swabia and became a place of learning and education. After secularization in the early 19th century, the monastery was dissolved and the buildings were given new functions, including barracks and a hospital, which saved the complex from decay.

Architecturally, Wiblingen is a masterpiece that combines Baroque and Rococo. The current buildings were begun in the late 17th century and completed in the 18th century. The monastery church, which was consecrated in 1783, impresses with its Baroque facade and an interior richly decorated with stucco, frescoes and sculptures. The most famous room, however, is the Baroque library, which was created in 1744. It is considered to be among the most beautiful libraries in Europe, and this is immediately evident upon a visit. The library hall is decorated with marble statues, ceiling paintings and golden ornaments, reflecting the ideals of the Enlightenment about knowledge and human reason.

Today, Wiblingen Abbey is an important cultural heritage and one of the most visited places in the Ulm area. The abbey church still functions as a parish church, while parts of the buildings house museums and exhibitions that tell about the history of the abbey, the Benedictine Order and Baroque architecture. The library is open to visitors and is a highlight for tourists who want to experience the pompous art and intellectual symbolism of the Baroque. The abbey is also used for concerts, cultural events and as a recreational area.