Kelheim

is a Benedictine monastery. The monastery, founded by Irish or Scottish monks in about 620, is considered to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria. It is also famous for its brewery (Weltenburger Klosterbrauerei). The brewery, in operation since 1050 and famous for its dark beer, is the oldest monastery brewery in the world.

baroque-style. While most visitors arrive for the beer, this church is not to be missed for its amazing architecture, beautiful frescos, and marble and gilded gold walls. Of particular interest is the fresco on the ceiling of the inner building. While it may appear domed and artificially lit, it is in fact an ingenious sleight-of-hand trick by the Brothers Assam (commissioned by a priest). The light radiates inwards from several windows concealed behind a ledge, and the ceiling is in fact completely flat. Notice especially the statue of the grinning man in the red-shirt leaning over the ledge down at the ground, he is in fact modeled after one of the Brothers Assam, immortalised in plaster.

A Neoclassical monument on the Michelsberg hill commemorating the victory in the Napoleonic Wars which Bavaria largely achieved by astutely changing sides at the exact right moment. The monument was commissioned by King Ludwig I. and completed in 1863 - the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig.

A catholic church

through the beautiful Danube Gorge "Weltenburg Narrows" on the way to or from Kelheim. Alternatively, cruise upwards from Kelheim to the Monastery and afterwards cross the river and walk your way back...the hike is by no means strenuous for most healthy people, saves a bit of cash, and allows you to see the scenery truly at your leisure.