Munich is undoubtedly a great city to live in, captivating visitors with its stately buildings, expansive green spaces, and rich cultural offerings. Nevertheless, you might occasionally long for a change of scenery and want to take a trip out of the city . One particularly noteworthy place that not too many day-trippers have on their radar is Kallmünz. This medieval market town has already won over artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Charles Johann Palmié.
The artists’ colony in the Upper Palatinate
Kallmünz is a market town near Regensburg, situated at the confluence of the Vils and Naab rivers. Its picturesque setting and medieval architecture, featuring small castles and castle ruins, attracted numerous painters from Munich and Berlin at the turn of the century. In 1901, Charles Johann Palmié settled in a local inn, which he named “Zur roten Amsel” and decorated with paintings created together with his artist friends from Munich. Due to its location between the Bavarian Forest and Regensburg, he also called the town the “Pearl of the Naab Valley.”
Soon after, other artists came to Kallmünz and founded a colony there. In 1903, both Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter arrived in the town and fell in love. They became a couple and put Kallmünz on the map. After his stay in the town, Kandinsky developed a new style and began painting more abstractly. Later, he would go on to found Expressionism in Murnau am Staffelsee.
A visit to picturesque Kallmünz
You can admire the “Pearl of the Naab Valley” in a variety of paintings that have immortalized the market town, such as Kandinsky’s “Rainy Day in Kallmünz” or Franz Skarbina’s “Night Watchman in Kallmünz.” To truly understand the artists’ fascination, however, you should take a trip to this little town yourself—it is picturesque in the truest sense of the word. You can view local art in galleries or find inspiration for your own creations.
The castle ruins of the same name tower over Kallmünz, visible from afar. From up here, you can enjoy the view over the Naab Valley. If you want to go even higher, climb the still-preserved keep. On the Schlossberg, you’ll also discover the “House Without a Roof,” Germany’s only furnished cave dwelling. Unfortunately, you can’t go inside, but the green wall in the rugged rock makes for a great photo opportunity . Kallmünz also boasts several pretty castles, such as the Silbermann Castle and Traidendorf Castle. Other highlights include the old town hall and St. Michael’s Parish Church, which also define the town’s skyline.
