Located on the banks of the Naab River, Schwandorf is a colourful town in the Upper Palatinate district of Bavaria. It lies on the edge of the Charlottenhofer Weihergebiet, a picturesque nature reserve that provides an important resting place for endangered birds. Schwandorf is home to a fine history museum and several churches that are worth exploring.
Things to do in Schwandorf
In the heart of town is the Stadtmuseum Schwandorf, which is dedicated to the region’s history. It houses furniture, books and clothing dating back to the 18th century, as well as ceramics created at the local pottery factory. Learn about the industrial and railway heritage of the town and hear about the events that took place here during World War II.
A short walk from the museum is the Parish Church of St. Jacob, which combines Gothic and Baroque architectural elements in its design. It is topped by an impressive tower envisioned by Heinrich Hauberrisser and houses a high altar based on a design by Georg Dengler. Paintings by Michael Wittmer decorate the altar and illustrate the martyrdom of Saint James.
Dominating the Hill of the Cross is the Kreuzberg Church, a bright yellow landmark that was rebuilt following a bombing raid in 1945. It’s an important pilgrimage site and associated with a nearby Carmelite convent, with its interior housing a revered painting of Mary Help of Christians. After your visit, be sure to follow the “Path of Inspiration” that winds through the surrounding forest.
Getting around Schwandorf
Schwandorf is around an hour’s drive from Nuremberg and 1.5 hours from Munich International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to the Schwandorf railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Schwandorf can easily be explored on foot.