LANDSHUT, a lovely corner of Bavaria!

Landshut is considered a secondary destination.

When you are in Munich, the welcoming and pulsating core in Bavaria, it is difficult to divert attention from this attractive city, full of ideas to pass time among museums, fine mansions and shopping.

But, if you look just beyond its borders, you can discover endless towns and landscapes, which preserve the German authentic charm.

Landshut is one of these interesting places, a human-size city, capable of arousing quiet and cultural liveliness at the same time.

I really want you to get on the first available train and take a trip in this balanced, historical town, the witness of a glorious past, setting of funny television fiction, dominated by a labyrinthine park: the latter is much more similar to a dense forest, which keeps one of the most Bavarian dukes’ residence…

Have you still got doubts?

Landshut and its surprises are waiting for you!

Not only history: Elegance and Pleasantness at every step

 

Landshut has more than 800 years of history.

It was founded in 1255, when the Wittelsbach decided to settle here, transforming it into the capital of the region, as long as the sceptre passed definitely to Munich in 1503.

During these centuries, the village on the Isar banks went through a very prolific period in various aspects, because there was a prosperous middle class and the city was attended by many Italian architects and decorators, who introduced the Renaissance language.

Memories from this ancient but important age are brought back to life by a historical re-enactment, which is one of the most touching of the whole of Germany.

We are talking about the Landshuter Hochzeit 1475, which celebrates the wedding between Duke Georg and Jadwiga (Edvige), king of Poland’s daughter, which happened in Landshut in 1475.

The event repeats itself every four years, between June and July, and it has been taking place since 1903, proving itself as a bright example for all European costume re-enactments.

The most fascinating feature of this marriage is the total involvement of the inhabitants, who try to reproduce XV century hairstyles and context: buildings are antiqued, deleting any trace of modernity, while the centre is totally pedestrianized.

The city, spared by the Second World War bombing, is probably the most suggestive one of lower Bavaria and it succeeds in gathering provincial atmospheres and high-level tourist hospitality; people are often kind and sunny and visitors can enjoy among refined views and varied shops.

Landshut has a historical centre with a late Gothic structure and it pivots on the two main longitudinal roads, parallel to the Isar river.

The Altstadt (Old Town) is the fulcrum of the village.  There are historical buildings and monuments, to which typical houses with high pediments and pastel colours are added, directly referring to a medieval dimension.

The Altstadt is considered one of the most beautiful German streets.

Its palaces were built between 1400 and 1500 and some house numbers are worthy of being mentioned: at number 28 the ancient post office has a richly frescoed facade, at number 79 the Residenz is the first Renaissance building edified north of the Alps, while at number 315 there is the Town Hall.

Another jewel of this road is the St. Martin church, whose construction began in 1392, with the sole urban corporations’ contribution, showing how much the middle class was wealthy between XIV and XV centuries.

The most important and visible element of the church is the tower bell, made of red bricks, which is one of the tallest medieval towers in Europe with its 1300 meters; it is possible to go up in it and, after 495 steps, you can admire the enchanting view on Landshut and its surrounding environment.

Church construction works took until the beginning of 1500 and they were directed by the architect Hans von Burghausen, the maximum exponent of German late Gothic.

St. Martin church has a three naves structure and in the right one the valuable wooden Madonna is exposed: it is Hans Leinberger’s artwork, a sculptor who has made other famous creations in Bavaria.

As mentioned earlier, the Residenz has an unmistakable Renaissance touch, which however is not visible from the entrance, whose facade takes back to the end of 1700 (late Baroque style).

On the contrary, the facade towards the courtyard expresses the Italian influence together with the rooms. They contain marble mirrors and the ceilings are decorated with paintings with allegorical and mythological themes.

Not far from the Altstadt, the Neustadt is the second important road of Landshut historical centre. In the past it is used as a marketplace and, over time, has been enriched with prestigious buildings and churches in Bavarian Baroque style; nowadays, many of these elegant houses host private homes.

Keep calm, leave frenzy, because these two streets, above all the Altstadt, which seem to come out of watercolour, offer diversified possibilities for relaxing moments.

You can have a meal in one of many open-air restaurants and order a bowl full of plant-based food; alternatively, you can do shopping at the Müller chain store and buy a book about Bavaria and its history and amazing landscapes.

But it is not yet time to immerse yourself in readings: if you take a marked uphill path, not far from the Altstadt, crossing a woods which looks like impenetrable, you will find a sturdy, huge mansion…

Its walls hide a lot of anecdotes and wonders.

 

Trausnitz Castle: features and curiosities

The castle is the most important monument in Landshut: it is a fortified complex that overwhelms the city and it is visible from every corner of the town.

Trausnitz was dukes of Bavaria’s residence since 1204, year in which the first stone was laid, to 1503; after this period, the castle was renovated with the willing of Duke Wilhelm V and this structural intervention changed the mansion in a princely Renaissance palace, losing its military connotation.

Works were directed by Federico Sustris, Giorgio Vasari’s pupil, who underlined Italian shapes, inside and outside.

Passing the entrance door, the Italian style is evident, looking at the two orders of loggias, while the most enchanting site in the castle is the famed Fools’ staircase: it is decorated with Alessandro Scalzi’s perspective frescoes, which portray some scenes from the Commedia dell’Arte (1578).

The Wunderkammer (Chamber of Wonders) is also noteworthy.

It represents Wittelsbach’s curiosities cabinet and contains unusual things, divided into four categories: Artificialia, which includes artworks made by humans, Naturalia with nature treasures, Exotica, which comprehends oddities from distant lands, and Scientifica with scientific instruments.

For centuries, Trausnitz has had different purposes, such as wool and silk factory, barracks, hospital, prison: in spite of the terrible fire in 1961, medieval buildings have preserved their original aspect.

Currently, the castle and the flourishing park, which coasts it, are magic locations for cultural events and thematic exhibitions, besides hosting a Bavarian National Museum of Munich detachment.

Following the pedestrian route, come back to the centre, imaging to be on a celebrated and entertaining set: a group of nuns is ready to lead spectators on its daily adventures.

 

“A cyclone in convent”: intrigues on the background of Landshut

 

This gracious town of 73.000 inhabitants is the perfect setting for the fiction “A cyclone in convent” (the original title is Um Himmels Willen), a television production composed of 20 seasons; it has been broadcasting in Germany from 2002 to 2021 on Das Erste, the main German national channel.

These 20 seasons include 260 episodes and 4 feature films, which have been distributed in diverse countries.

The protagonist is Sister Hanna Jacobi, interpreted by Janina Hartwig; it must be remembered that until the fifth season this role was held by Sister Charlotte “Lotte” Albers, played by the actress Jutta Speidel.

The nun is the Kaltenthal convent’s director and the series’ plots gravitate around two themes. To give help to those who are in difficulties in varied situations and to continue the fight to preserve the monastery; Kaltenthal’s major and Magdalene order’s Superior Mother, settled in Munich, would like to sell it because the convent is deemed unprofitable.

Shootings in Landshut, with the captivating view of the town hall and colourful houses of Altstadt, are unmistakable; other scenes are been shot in Niederaichbach Castle (a private residence), and in Munich.

The mixture is ideal: an elegant city, which encloses Mediterranean heat and German precision, a tower bell that reflects sunset’s nuances, coral stories with ironic pace and implied teachings…

It is impossible to get bored.

Moreover, thanks to this fiction, you can see Landshut’s foreshortenings also when you are far from its attractive streets.

 

But you don’t need images necessarily: Landshut is an indelible sight, even after many years.

It is similar to a superior mental condition, which imprints itself in the soul of those who succeed in grasping its simple beauty.

Take your time and identify yourself with graceful traits of this special town… rediscovering the pleasure to travel away from the usual tourist circuits.

Sources:

“A cyclone in convent” series. (n.d.). Marida Caterini/Anticipazioni Serie Tv. https://www.maridacaterini.it/soap-e-serie-tv-anticipazioni-puntate-trama/283412-un-ciclone-in-convento-serie-tv-trama-attori-cast-finale-dove-girato.html

The city of Landshut. (n.d.). Viaggio in Germania. https://www.viaggio-in-germania.de/landshut.html

Discovering Landshut. (n.d.). Tutto Baviera. https://www.tuttobaviera.it/landshut/

Landshut and Trausnitz Castle. (n.d.). Baviera Turismo. https://www.bavieraturismo.it/scoprire/landshut/

Monaco e la Baviera. (2015). Touring Editore.