The castle towers over the city, the Isar River cuts through the center, and the Gothic church towers above all other buildings in the old town. There is much to discover and celebrate in this small town in Lower Bavaria. If you are looking for your next day trip from Munich, then you should put this place at the top of your list. Here you can enjoy the Isar promenade, which we lack in the state capital, and marvel at historical sights.
From castles and churches
Photo: Günther Dillingen/Pixabay
The birth of Trausnitz Castle in 1204 also marks the birth of the city of Landshut. Today, the complex houses the Bavarian National Museum and also has a beautiful courtyard garden. This is one of the oldest parks in Bavaria and covers 27 hectares. From up here, you can also enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city of Landshut, with St. Martin’s Basilica being particularly eye-catching.
The construction of St. Martin’s Church took 115 years. Its architecture combines elements of High and Late Gothic styles and it is one of the most significant Gothic monumental buildings in southern Germany. Its tower measures 130.8 meters, making it the tallest brick tower in the world and the tallest church tower in Bavaria. You can take guided tours of the basilica throughout the year to learn more about its history and architecture. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and costs €80 for the entire group, with up to 25 people able to participate.
Sights and royal wedding
Photo: Joh Lang/Pixabay
In addition to the castle and basilica, Landshut has other buildings worth seeing. Two of the old city gates are still preserved, the Ländtor and the Burghauser Tor. These contribute to the medieval charm of the city. The cityscape is strongly influenced by Gothic architecture, which is reflected in buildings such as the town hall and the Pappenberger House. If you are more interested in the Renaissance, you should visit the secondary residence of the Wittelsbach family. Ludwig X had it built as the first Renaissance palace north of the Alps. In general, there are numerous palaces in Landshut, including the Palis Pfetten, the Adelspalais, the Palais Königsfeld, and the Palais Etzdorf in Rococo style.
However, Landshut is not only known for its picturesque townscape, but also for its wedding. The Landshut Wedding is a historical festival that takes place every four years and lasts for several weeks. It is one of the largest historical festivals in Europe and recreates the politically significant wedding between Georg of Wittelsbach and Hedwig of Poland in 1475. During the festival, there are several wedding processions, knight and horse tournaments, as well as dances and other celebrations. The next Landshut Wedding will take place in 2027.
If you don’t want to wait that long, you can also visit the annual garden festival at Tausnitz Castle. Here, exhibitors present their products related to garden design and provide you with inspiration. There are also exciting lectures and live music. If you’re less interested in plants, you can simply stroll through the old town or stop at one of the numerous cute cafés along the Isar River. In any case, Landshut is worth a day trip from Munich.