Cities & Culture
Ingolstadt: atmospheric and full of life
Ingolstadt, the university city and shopping destination on the Danube, boasts a delightful blend of tradition and history. At the same time, it is modern, urban and vibrant, wowing visitors with the Audi Forum, a world of automotive discovery that is not just for petrol heads.
Lovingly restored gabled merchants' houses, splendid city gates, imposing towers and an impressive fortress dominate the appearance of the city. Restaurants, art, museums, theatre and events breathe life into the city. The Audi Forum Ingolstadt with its 'museum mobile' and the Ingolstadt Village exclusive outlet shopping centre are further firm favourites. As is the picturesque Old Town, best accessed through the splendid Kreuztor gate, the most beautiful of the remaining town gates, Ingolstadt's most famous landmark and a delightful example of Medieval architecture.
Beyond the gate, some magnificent sights await visitors, such as the New Palace, the Asam Church with its famous Lepanto monstrance, the Old Anatomy building and the Old Town Hall. Next to this stands the city's oldest parish church, St. Moritz. A Romanesque church tower rises on its northern side, while to the south stands the slender Gothic Pfeifturm, formerly a city watchtower. 200 steps lead up to the top of this tower, which offers outstanding panoramic views of the city and the impressive late-Gothic minster, the largest hall church in southern Germany. Still to this day, the atmosphere in Ingolstadt is shaped by history, nice traditions and a romantic vibe that is guaranteed to suck you in.