Ravensburg’s history

Trade and commerce enjoy a long High above the town, tradition in Ravensburg. Conveniently Ravensburg’s dazzling located at the crossroads of two inter - white landmark, the national trade routes, the free imperial Mehlsack, rises up. city grew into one of the most important Built in 1425, the tower trading towns in Swabia in the 14th was named “Mehlsack” century. Ravensburg experienced its or “flour bag” because heyday at the end of the Middle Ages, of its distinctive round in particular in the 14th and 15th shape and white plaster - centuries. work.

During this time, the city of Ravensburg amassed wealth and riches thanks to its flourishing linen and textile trade and paper making industry. Many of the large buildings that still shape the face of the old town were constructed around this time. The Great Ravens - burg Trading Society maintained trade relations throughout Europe and as far as Spain and the Netherlands. It was made up of members of aristocratic patrician families and merchants. The gravestone of Henggi Humpis, a foun - der of the company who died in 1429, is one of the oldest of its kind in Ger - many and can be found in the chapel of the Protestant church.

The town’s roots go back even further: From the 11th century, a settlement evolved at the foot of Ravensburg castle, the former ancestral seat of the Guelph family. The town earned its market rights early on and became a free Imperial city in 1276. Right up to the 30-Years War, Ravensburg enjoyed comfortable prosperity, and even arti - sans were able to make a good living The Veitsburg – first there. Ravens burg was one of the first mentioned in 1088 – towns in Germany where paper was is today a viewpoint manufactured. worth visiting Museum quarter Museum Humpis-Quartier

The Humpis-Quartier is one of the best- preserved late medieval residential quar - Guided tour: Thurs 6 pm, last Sun in the month 11 am ters in southern Germany. The Humpis www.museum-humpis-quartier.d e merchant family gave this group of buil - dings its present form in the 15th cen - tury. The museum is an unusual place Museum Ravensburger in which the town’s history and culture from the 11th to the 21st century can be Ravensburg is famous the world over for experienced in an authentic ambience. games, jigsaw puzzles and children’s The quarter com prising seven buildings books. You would have to look hard to presents an ex citing world that is wai - find a child's room that does not have ting to be disco vered. Visitors can take a toy or game with Ravensburger's a journey back into the Middle Ages trademark blue triangle on it. The com - through almost 60 rooms, lofts and ba - pany’s headquarters are located in the sements, before arriving back in the heart of the old town and are home to present day. New in the museum: the new Museum Discovery rooms on the topic of “The Ravensburger. Swabian Children” and “In Clothes Visitors can enjoy Contact”. an interactive jour - ney through the Ravensburg Museum company’s history of Economics and the world of Ravens burger products.

www.museum-ravensburger.de e k m o l Z h c i r n y Ravensburg W ©

Art Museum : o t o F Works from the collections of Peter and The Foundation of the Kreissparkasse Gudrun Selinka are presented on some Ravensburg is breaking new ground 900 m 2 of exhibition space. They include with its own exhibition hall. Visitors can works by German expressionists and the look forward to exciting stories about Cobra and Spur groups of artists. Fur - the economy from the last 200 years. thermore, the Art Six theme areas with multimedia dis - Museum presents plays explain new interrelationships. top-class tempora - Why did cows come to the Allgäu regi - ry exhibitions on on? And why did a company that made classic modernism whips and ski poles suddenly start ma - and contemporary king caravans? Come and find out! art. Extensive pro - gramme of events, Guided tour: every second Sun in the month 2 pm also for children www.wirtschaftsmuseum-ravensburg.de and teenagers.

Guided tour: Sun 3 pm, first Thurs in the month 7 pm www.kunstmuseum-ravensburg.de Ravensburg – City of Towers and Gates

Ravensburg’s numerous towers can be seen from a great distance. The old trading centre boasts over a dozen of the - se edifices that give the town its nickname of “The city of Towers and Gates”. Most were built in the 14th and 15th centuries. They vary greatly in shape and design: some are angular, some semicircular or circular – depend ing on what served best to defend the town. A walk through the narrow streets and alleys of the old town reveals well-preserved evi - dence of the town’s rich history.

Guided tours The Tourist Information organizes guided tours for groups in English. Take a trip through historical Ravensburg, experience the most important epochs and explore the town’s sights in this 90 minute tour. Price per group (up to 25 people) 80 EUR.

Climb the towers Blaserturm: 12 April to 5 October every day from 11 am to 4 pm Mehlsack: 3 August to 28 September Saturday/Sunday 11 am to 4 pm Obertor (Upper Gate)

This gate is presumably Ravensburg museum district the town’s oldest and was rebuilt in 1431/32. Four new museums at The “poor sinners’ bell” the heart of the upper high up in the gable of town: Humpis-Quartier the 42 m high tower Museum, Ravensburger used to be rung during Museum, Ravensburg executions. Museum of Economics, and Ravensburg Art Museum.

Schellenberger Tower

Schellenberger Tower Liebfrauenkirche has been a ruin since it (Church of Our Lady) was hit by lightning in the 17th or 18th century. It is nicknamed “Katzen- liesele’s tower” after an old woman who used to live in the ruin with her cats.

The Liebfrauenkirche was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style. A beautiful tympa - num on the western portal portrays the life of Frauentor the Virgin Mary. (Lady’s Gate)

The Frauentor was built as part of the town’s fortifications in the 14th century. Pitch was poured down from the Grüner Turm (Green Tower) machicolation high up Town Hall on the 36m tower. It This tower was built in was completely rebuilt the early 15th century following a devastating and owes its name to its fire in 1982. green roof tiles. Unlike Ravensburg’s other mediaeval towers it has a round shape with a pointed pinnacle and small windows under a hipped gable roof. The tower is open Mehlsack from 3 Aug. to 28 Sep. (“Flour Bag”) Saturday/Sunday 11 am to 4 pm

Blaserturm (Trumpeter’s Tower)

M a t th ä u s M e r ia n , 1 6 2 3 The tower ist open from 12 April to 5 Oct. every day from 11 am to 4 pm Grain from all over Up - per Swabia was traded With its flat raftered ceiling in the municipal corn and simple mon umental house, called the forms, this church that “Schranne“, up to the dates back to 1349 fea - 20th century. Today, the tures the typical archi - building that dates back tecture of the mendicant to 1451/1452 houses order and was formerly the town library. a Carmelite monastery.

Kornhaus (Corn House) Evangelische Stadtkirche (Protestant church)

Spitalturm

Untertor (Lower Gate) The Untertor was built in 1363 as part of the town’s fortifications. Like The Seelhaus was found - the Frauentor, this gate ed in 1408 as a refuge has a machicolation to for pilgrims. The Leder - defend it against attacks. haus was built in 1400 Seelhaus for shoemakers, saddlers and Lederhaus and tanners to sell their (Almshouse and wares and was expand - Leather House) ed in 1512/13.

Church of St. Jodok

Gemalter Tur This church was built by (Painted Tower) the city of Ravensburg and Weißenau Monastery This tower that dates as a parish church in back to the 15th century 1385. The unplastered, is named after the former three-nave basilica has ornamental paintings retained its original char - that adorned it (diamond acter even today. patterns and coats of arms). In 1985 the paint - ings were restored. Publisher: City of Ravensburg Photos: Tourist information Ravensburg Cover picture: © Daniel Hartmann Layout: © 2013 d-werk Enjoy Ravensburg 2014 Ravensburg today

Rising high above the roofs of Ravens - burg, the Blaserturm marks the town’s centre. From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside as far as Lake Constance and the Alps or look down on the brightly coloured roofs of the old town below. Down on the town’s main square Marienplatz, the narrow streets Enjoy the southern at - and alleys round about teem with life. mosphere in Ravens - People stroll through the traffic-free burg’s numerous street square or relax in one of the many street cafés. cafés; young and old meet for a chat at the fountains. It is a colourful pageant in which people lingering at leisure mingle with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the warm months of the year, Ra - vensburg exudes a Mediterranean flair. Shopping in Ravensburg

The former free Imperial city of Ravens - burg with 50,000 inhabitants, nestled in the heart of the countryside between the Allgäu region and Lake Constance, is still the region’s economic centre. As in former times, when Ravensburg was a thriving trading town, it is now the shopping hub of Upper Swabia.

Marienplatz in the centre of Ravens burg is the ideal starting point from which to explore the town: visit Bachstraße, for example, a bustling street with a stream flowing through it, or the lovingly restored Marktstraße. Ravensburg offers a wide choice of stores with all kinds of goods, chic boutiques and attractive shops that guarantee a pleasurable shopping Weekly market experience. The town’s pedestrian are - J Farmers and gardeners as invite you to take a leisurely stroll, or C from the region offer fresh combine a browse through the shops R produce at the market in with a tour of the historic old town – R the historic Marktstraße. either by yourself or as part of a guided Every Saturday from 7 tour every Wednesday and Saturday. am to 1 pm. The historic town centre can be easily reached from the eight car parks loca - ted around the town centre or from the railway and bus stations. Playing in Ravensburg

A popular day out for families is Ravens - burger Spieleland, a theme park situa - ted between Ravensburg and Lake Constance. With more than 50 attracti - ons grouped into seven theme areas, it promises unforgettable moments for all ages. The best ideas from Ravensburger games are larger than life here. The company’s headquarters with the Ravensburger Museum is located in Ravensburger Spieleland Ravensburg at play on Ravensburg’s old town. Opening times see 13 and 14 September. www.spieleland.de

But that's not the only place where ga - mes are played: Every September at "Ravensburg at play", the entire town is transformed into a giant playroom. On the last weekend of the summer holidays, the centre of town is transfor - med into a giant playroom.

Culture in Ravensburg

Ever since it was built over 100 years ago, Ravensburg’s concert hall has borne witness to its inhabitants’ passion for theatre and music. Ravensburg offers a wide variety of cul- tural events, many of which can be enjoyed in the historical atmosphere of architectural monuments. The Zehntscheuer offers cabaret among others, puppet shows are put on in the Brotlaube, and the Ravensburg Theatre stages spectacular Concert hall, performances. Tickets for events can be bought in the tourist built in 1896/97 information office.

Events in Ravensburg

3 March "Rose Monday" carnival procession 3 May Jazztime in town May - August Concerts in the town hall 28 June Ravensburg city run 25 - 29 July Rutenfest - historical town and children's festival 13 - 14 Sept. Ravensburg at play 28 Nov. - 21 Dec. Christmas market

You can find more information on events, a newsletter, etc. at www.ravensburg.de A Rauenegg

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8 Gentner 100 m B33 Meersburg Weststadt Initiative Ravensburg Jah B30 Bodensee nst C r. Friedrichshafen Historic tour of the town (approx. 1 hour)

1 Waaghaus (panel 1) 7 Museum Humpis-Quartier Built in 1496/97 as the town’s trad- (panel 21) ing house. The first floor with its Living quarters of the Humpis pa - late Gothic interior was used as a trician and merchant family com - drapers’ hall and ballroom. prising seven buildings. Built from 1375 to 1503. Late Gothic oriel 2 Blaserturm (panel 2) with family coat of arms, 1435. Fire, clock and look-out tower in Gothic interiors. Today Museum the centre of town. A tower watch - Humpis-Quartier. man (Blaser) was posted there un - til 1911. Height: 51 metres, 212 steps. The tower can be climbed from 30 March to 3 November.

3 Lederhaus (panel 3) Market hall for shoemakers, sad- dlers and tanners. Built around 1400, enlarged in 1512/13. Paint- ed in 1574 and expanded in 1905/06. Today it is used as a post office and official building. 8 Ravensburg Museum of Economics 4 Seelhaus (panel 50) Around 1470, Jacob Humpis lived Founded in 1408 by the patrician in the building on Marktstrasse 22. Frick Holbein as a hostel for pilgrims Previously, the land had allegedly with 21 beds. Guests were belonged to the residence of the expected to help the founder Möttelin family of merchants. From achieve salvation through prayer. 1823, it housed the oldest district savings bank in Württemberg. After 5 Town Hall (panel 4) 1937, the building was used by Built in 1386. Two late Gothic Otto Maier publishing house. Since coun cil chambers. The oriel on the 2012, it has been home to the Mu - norththern facade dates back to seum of Economics set up by the 1571. The Ravensburg ell at the Foundation of the Kreissparkasse eastern entrance was an imperial Ravensbu rg. measure of length (61.59 centime - tres). It is well worth taking a look 9 Ravensburger Museum inside. Town house of the Knights of Schellenberg zu Kißlegg 6 Gäldrich patrician mansion (panel 22) (panel 20) Built in 1416 as the residence of Late mediaeval residence of the the merchant family Möttelin. patrician and merchant family Gäl - Owned by the Knights of Schellen - drich von Sigmarshofen. Built in berg zu Kißlegg from 1500 - 1650. 1436/93 as a stone house. The late Murals date back to the 18th centu - Gothic interiors can be admired in ry. Since 1883 headquarters of the the salesrooms of the music shop. book and games publishers Otto Maier (Ravensburger AG). T oday "Ravensburger Museum". 10 Ravensburg Art Museum 14 Romanic House (panel 25) Former production building belon - Built in 1179. Romanic window in ging to Ravensburger book and the rear with cushion capital. In the games publishing house. Since 13th century, it housed the imperial 2013, new Ravensburg Art Museum trading house, the town hall and the with the Selinka collection. The bakers’ market hall. From the 14th museum building won the German to the 16th century, it was the town Architecture Award in 2013. residence of the patrician family Humpis. 11 Former Franciscan convent of St. Michael (panel 23) 15 House of the Great Ravensburg Originally a beguine convent found - Trading Society (panel 26) ed by the patriciate of the town in Main office of the Humpis merchants 1395, the building was used as a who imported luxury goods from Franciscan convent from 1406 to Italy, Spain and Poland from the 1811. The convent church of St. 14th century to the beginning of Michael that was next door to the the 16th century. The family com - Mehlsack was demolished in the pany was formerly known by the 19th century. name Great Ravensburg Trading Society. Since 1530 it has housed 12 Mehlsack (panel 24) the inn Zum "Schwarzen" Mohren. The round tower was built between 1425 and 1429 to defend the town 16 Gänsbühl (panel 28) against attacks from the castle si - Originally a hollow that was home tuated higher up. The name comes to the town’s commercial district from the shape of the tower, which from the 12th to the 14th century looks like a flour bag. Height: 51 with mills, tanneries, dye works meters, 253 steps. The tower can and a lime kiln. be climbed from 30 March to 3 November. 17 House of Ravensburg Museum Society (panel 29) 13 Obertor (panel 27) Part of the Humpis quarters. The Late mediaeval town gate facing half-timbered building was con - towards Wangen. The gate tower structed in 1470 by the mayor and that presumably originated in the tradesman Wilhelm von Neidegg Hohenstaufen era was rebuilt in as an extension of his front-facing 1432 and 1485. Height: 42 metres. house in Marktstraße 47. Gothic Behind the gate on the right is the interiors. former gate watchman's house. 18 Brotlaube/Old Theatre (panel 14) Market building erected in 1625 for bakers, butchers and furriers. The Renaissance hall was used as a theatre from 1698 to 1881. Tourist Information Ravensburg Opening hours: Kirchstraße 16 Monday to Friday 88212 Ravensburg 9 am - 5.30 am Phone +49 (0)751 82-800 Saturday Fax +49 (0)751 82-466 10 am - 1 pm [email protected] www.ravensburg.de/tourismus

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