Landshut

Landshut was founded in 1204 by Duke Louis I Wittelsbach. Not even 30 years later it already became residence, and after the division of the duchy of Bavaria in 1255 the capital of Lower Bavaria. In the 15th century the famous Landshut Wedding took place, one of the most splendid festivities of the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 16th century Lower Bavaria and Upper Bavaria were reunited. Although Landshut at that point lost its status as capital, the 16th century was the city's architectural boom era. After that, Landshut lost most of its significance, besides a short time of importance in the beginning of the 19th century, when the University of Bavaria resided a mere 26 years in Landshut.

For a brief time towards the end of World War II, a subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp was located near Landshut. During the war Landshut only had to suffer one major Allied bombing, when the area around the train station was heavily hit. However, most parts of the city were virtually unharmed by the war, and much of the medieval city centre is still intact.

Since the opening of the new Munich International Airport close to Landshut in 1992, the city has become an attractive business location. In 2021, it had 73,000 residents

Landshut is small enough to be explored on foot. The medieval city centre is a pedestrian zone with no motor vehicles allowed. Going by bike is an option, too. However, the extensive use of cobble stone pavement in the city can make for a very unpleasant ride. An alternative for the less sporty type is the city's bus network (StadtLinie). Its 15 lines will take you to every point of interest, within the city and the surrounding countryside.

• 🌍 Hofgarten, Pfeifergorigasse 1 (Bus: Landshut, Burg Trausnitz), stadtgartenamt@landshut.de. 6:00 — 21:00. After the city was founded in 1204 by Duke Ludwig the Kelheimer, today's Hofgarten was used as a zoo (Hag) until the middle of the 18th century. After that, the area was converted into a cultural enterprise and a state fur school for the cultivation of fruit trees was founded and silkworm breeding began. After the royal university was relocated from Ingolstadt to Landshut in 1800, the courtyard garden became the property of the university on September 30, 1804. At that time it was designated as an economic garden and was used for agricultural and forestry experiments until 1826. In June 17, 1836 the city of Landshut was able to acquire the Hofgarten after many years of negotiations, and it was made accessible to the public in 1837. (updated Jun 2023)

• 🌍 Church of St. Judoc (Jodokskirche), Freyung 629 (Bus: Regierungsplatz), ☏ +49 871 923040. Jodokskirche is Landshut's second oldest church, after Martinskirche. It was built between 1389 and the end of the 16th century in Gothic style. It features a 77 m (250 ft) high bell tower. 
• 🌍 Church of St. Martin (Martinskirche), Kirchgasse 251 (Bus: Altstadt), ☏ +49 871 9221780. Apr-Sep 07:30-18:30, Oct-Mar 07:30-17:00, closed M & F 10:30-15:00. The church's construction began in 1385 and it took over 110 years until it was completed, around 1500. With a interior height of 29 m (95 ft) and a bell tower that measures 130 m (430 ft), Martinkirche is not only the tallest church in Bavaria and the tallest brick building in the world, but also one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Germany and Landshut's number one landmark. 
• 🌍 City Residence Landshut (Stadtresidenz Landshut), Altstadt 79 (Bus: Altstadt), ☏ +49 871 25142. Apr-Sep 09:00-18:00, Oct-Mar 10:00-16:00, closed on Mondays. Duke Ludwig X commenced the oldest part of the city residence, the "German Building", in 1536. After a visit to Italy he decided to add the "Italian Building", inspired by the Palazzo del Te in Mantua. This addition is considered to be the first Renaissance building north of the Alps. There is a combination ticket available for the Residence and Trausnitz Castle (adults €8, concessions €6). Adults €3.50, concessions €2.50. 
• 🌍 Medieval city centre (Mittelalterliche Altstadt). Landshut's historic city centre is mostly preserved in the state it was 500 years ago, and doesn't have to hide behind other shining examples like Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Today it is a pedestrian zone with a lot of shops, makeshift concerts on the streets during summer and a Christmas fair during Advent. It also serves as one of the stages for the quadrennial Landshut Wedding re-enactment. 
• 🌍 Museum of Sculptures (Skulpturenmuseum im Hofberg), Am Prantlgarten 1 (Bus: Neustadt), ☏ +49 871 89021. Tu-Su 10:30-13:00 & 14:00-17:00. Opened in 1998, the museum is located mostly underground within a hill, atop of which Trausnitz Castle is situated. It has on display works of sculptors, who lived or worked in the city. The museum is specialized in the works of Fritz Koenig, who is best known for his sculpture The Sphere, which was on display on World Trade Center Plaza in New York City from 1971 until the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Adults €3.50, concessions €2. 
• 🌍 Trausnitz Castle (Burg Trausnitz), Burg Trausnitz 168 (Bus 7: Kalcherstraße), ☏ +49 871 924110. Apr-Sep 09:00-18:00, Oct-Mar 10:00-16:00. The medieval castle is situated atop a hill overlooking the city of Landshut and amidst the former castle park. The oldest parts of the structure were built from 1204, and the castle was continuously expanded until the late 19th century, serving as the Wittelsbach ducal residence for Lower Bavaria, 1255-1503. Virtually unharmed by the turmoils of numerous wars, Trausnitz Castle is one of the best preserved and most complete examples of aristocratic medieval architecture. During the Landshut Wedding it serves as one of the venues for the re-enactment. Adults €5.50, concessions €4.50. 

• 🌍 Bartlmädult Beer Festival (Bartlmädult), Grieserwiese (Bus 1, 10: Grieserwiese). Late Aug. One of the smaller and cozier festivals of its kind, with only about 200,000 visitors each year. In contrast to Oktoberfest in Munich, you can still find original Bavarian traditions at this festivity. 
• 🌍 Christmas fair (Christkindlmarkt), Ringlstrecherwiese (grass next to the Grieserwiese). Dec: M-Th 10:00-20:00, F Sa 11:00-21:00, Su 11:00-20:00. The Christmas fair in Landshut next to the Grieserwiese is the city's main attraction during Advent. The big illuminated Christmas tree and a cup of hot Glühwein (spiced wine) or alternatively Punsch in your hands and Christmas music and scents in the air will get you in the Christmas spirit. 
• 🌍 Landshut Wedding 1475 (Landshuter Hochzeit). Summer. Festival held once every 4 years (next: summer 2023). Landshut's biggest attraction undoubtedly is the Landshut Wedding, the re-enactment of the medieval wedding of George the Rich, Duke of Bavaria, and Hedwig Jagiellon, the eldest daughter of the King of Poland, in 1475. Basically the whole city becomes a stage, as the festival takes place all over town, with different venues like Trausnitz Castle, the medieval city center and the Residence, when over 2,300 actors (mostly Landshut residents) bring the Middle Ages to life. During the three weeks of the festivities, Landshut is flooded with over 700,000 visitors from all over the world and becomes a bustling medieval metropolis, when everyone gets carried away with medieval jousting, pageantry, feasting and knights' tournaments. It even became custom to the citizens of Landshut to wear hair and clothes to the fashion of the Middle Ages, even if they are not part of the acting crew. The downside of the spectacle obviously is, that accommodation gets extremely scarce within the city - however, the proximity to Munich provides a feasible lodging alternative. €2.50-36. 
• Short Film Festival (Landshuter Kurzfilmfestival), ☏ +49 89 62303416. The festival takes place for one week in late February, at four movie theatres in the city. The festival focuses on short films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. (updated Dec 2022)

• 🌍 City Center Landshut (CCL), Am Alten Viehmarkt 5 (Bus 5, 7A, 14: Am Alten Viehmarkt), ☏ +49 871 4303179. M-Sa 09:30-20:00. A huge shopping centre with fashion stores, groceries, barber shops, book stores, jewelers, drug stores, movie theaters and restaurants. 
• 🌍 Männerladen, Altstadt 18-20 (Bus 7: Obere Altstadt), ☏ +49 871 29475. M-W F Sa 09:30-18:00, Th 09:30-19:00. A shop that has everything in stock, that a modern, stylish man might need. Products range from cigars and spirits, through leather bags and hats, to flasks. 

• 🌍 Sausalitos, Innere Münchener Straße 6 (Bus 1, 7: Grätzberg), ☏ +49 871 9750583. Su-W 18:00-01:00, Th 17:00-01:00, F Sa 18:00-02:00. The Landshut branch of the Mexican-style cocktail bar chain, where you can get small Mexican dishes, too. It is a good meeting and jumping-off point for a long night out. Beer (0.33L) €3.50, cocktails €8. 
• 🌍 Stars, Meisenstraße 28 (Bus 2: Schwalbenstraße). The club is very popular with the locals and the youth of the surroundings of Landshut, even though prices are quite high. The music revolves around R'n'B, hip-hop and electronic music, and the crowd seems very peachy. Beer (0.33L) €3.50, long drinks €8. 

• 🌍 Hotel Goldene Sonne, Neustadt 520 (Bus: Neustadt), ☏ +49 871 92530. The rooms are nice and spacious and very clean. The included breakfast buffet is comprehensive. The hotel is especially known for its bike-friendliness, with a lot of information material, aided route planning, tools and even a pickup service, in case your bike has a malfunction, available. Double from €119, single from €89. 
• 🌍 Hotel Lifestyle, Flurstraße 2 (Bus 3, 8: Flurstraße), ☏ +49 871 97270. This hotel is close to Landshut Central Station. The rooms are bright and spacious and the breakfast buffet is included. A typical business hotel with all needed amenities. Double €99-140, single €79-115. 
• 🌍 Hotel Schönbrunn, Schönbrunn 1 (Bus 3, 14: Sparkassen Arena), ☏ +49 871 95220. A rustic hotel in the old Schönbrunn Palace. The rooms are bright and spacious, with classic furnishing. The hotel has its own nice and small beer garden. Double €95-115, single €65-85. 
• 🌍 Lindner Hotel Kaiserhof, Papiererstraße 2 (Bus 1, 2, 4, 10: Ländtorplatz/Stadttheater), ☏ +49 871 6870. Spacious rooms with nice and modern furnishing. The hotel has all amenities of a modern business hotel. Double €95-225, single €75-205. 

• 🌍 Wash & Fun, Luitpoldstraße 7 (Bus 2, 4, 9: Christuskirche), ☏ +49 871 4306454. M-Sa 06:00-03:00, Su 11:00-03:00. Internet cafe with five workstations, that also houses a DVD rental, a laundromat and a small casino. 

• Altötting. One of the most important and popular destinations of Catholic pilgrimage in Europe. 
• Bavarian Forest. A mountain range 100 km (65 mi) to the east, which is in parts a national park. 
• Freising. This quaint university town with its cathedral and the famous Weihenstephaner brewery is a 20-min car drive north of Erding. 
• Munich. The capital of Bavaria, its biggest city and the place to go for culture and arts aficionados, is 45 min away by train 
• Passau. A university city at the confluence of rivers Danube, Iller and Ilz, close to the Austrian border. 
• Regensburg. Beautiful medieval city at the shores of the river Danube, which is listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. 
• Salzburg (Austria). easily by bi-hourly train reachable Austrian city, in the English-speaking world probably best known for its part in the movie The Sound of Music.