FORTE CULTURA Station: Federal Fortress Ulm (DE), Danube fortress
One of the largest fortifications in Europe
Varied adventure programme in the Danube metropolis of Ulm/Neu-Ulm
The federal fortress of Ulm was built in the 19th century by the German Confederation as a large fortress system and was expanded into an imperial fortress until the early 20th century. It is still one of the largest fortified monuments in Europe today and was one of the five fortresses established by the German Confederation to secure its border against France at the time.
The two-country city of Ulm/Neu-Ulm on the Danube offers many tourist highlights. In addition to Ulm Minster with the highest church tower in the world, the fishermen's quarter, Wiblingen Monastery and the Weishaupt Art Gallery, the Federal Fortress with its more than 30 works of art and Wilhelmsburg Castle are particularly worth a visit.
The exciting and wide range of experiences on offer extends from museums and exhibitions, theatre and festivals to sports and nature experiences on the Danube, along the Danube cycle path or in the fortress glacis parks. Experience with FORTE CULTURA the unique flair of the fortified Danube metropolis of Ulm/Neu-Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein and the home of the Scholl siblings.
Get to know thehe federal fortress of Ulm know:
Ulm is a Major fortress system, consisting of town fortifications and outer forts in several rings around the town.
Wilhelmsburg (Plant XII) and Wilhelmsfeste (Plant XII-XVII)
Together with the Wilhelmsfeste, the Wilhelmsburg formed the citadel of Ulm Fortress. It sits majestically enthroned on the Wilhelmsberg and has shone in new splendour since its renovation in 2016.
It was once the strongest part of the main fortifications, measuring 200 by 130 metres. Up to 7,000 men could be stationed here alone.
The 1.3-hectare inner courtyard now hosts events and performances by Ulm Theatre in summer. The covered grandstands can hold up to 1,500 spectators.
Exciting guided tours of the Wilhelmsburg are organised regularly by the Förderkreis Bundesfestung Ulm e.V..
Fort Oberer Kuhberg (Plant XXXII)
Southwest of Ulm is the Oberer Kuhberg Fort, an outer fort of the federal fortress built in 1848-57 and modernised several times until 1939.
Already used as a prisoner of war camp during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, an early Nazi concentration camp was set up in the fort from 1933. The Oberer Kuhberg Documentation Centre - Concentration Camp Memorial gives today's visitors a vivid and interactive insight into the events of this period.
The fortress museum is definitely worth a visit. In the casemates, underground corridors and outdoor areas of the Oberer Kuhberg fort, many exhibits and models provide a comprehensive insight into the origins and function of the federal fortress of Ulm.
Upper Danube Bastion (Plant I)
The Upper Danube Bastion was built in 1843-55 as an artillery barracks not far from the Danube, on the south-western outskirts of Ulm, and was designed for a garrison of up to 2,253 men.
Today, the remaining areas are home to a colourful potpourri of adventure and leisure activities for young and old. These include the Danube Swabian Central Museum, the Turkish theatre Ulüm, the Popbastion, the Weinbastion, a skate hall, the Obscura cinema, the Club Schilli and the Roxy, which is located in the former factory halls of Magirus AG, which became world-famous for the production of fire-fighting equipment and lorries.
Lower Gaisenberg bastion (Plant XXI)
The lower Gaisenberg bastion is located in the eastern main rampart and was built from 1843.
Night owls and party-goers will find the Ulm University student café here, as well as the Charivari, a bar and meeting place with excellent live music events in a historic ambience.
Caponniere of the Courtine Plant XX
The courtine connected the Lower and Upper Gaisenberg bastions, but was largely rebuilt during the expansion of the town. The two-storey caponier with 16 embrasures has been preserved.
Today, only beats still shoot out of the fortress building, the CAT Club and the Jazzkeller Sauschdall offer a varied programme, not only for university students.
Fort Unterer Kuhberg (Plant XXIX)
Fort Unterer Kuhberg is the second largest fortress in Ulm. Today, the redoubt is home to numerous associations and initiatives. The Ulm Waldorf School has also set up in a barracks belonging to the fort.
Guided tours of the fort and its underground facilities are offered by the Förderkreis Bundesfestung Ulm e.V. and Ulm/Neu-Ulm Touristik GmbH.
Fort Unterer Eselsberg
Today, Fort Unterer Eselsberg is all about rock. The spectacular fortress location has become a refuge for live rock concerts and events with music from the legendary 70s and 80s. Well-known greats, newcomers and bands from the region regularly perform here.
Kienlesberg bastion and the western mountain front
The Kienlesberg bastion, built in 1843-1852, with its striking double caponier and the line leading from it to Wilhelmsburg, has been largely preserved.
The impressive grounds can be explored on foot or by bike along the „Dr Otmar Schäuffelen Trail“. From the top of the ramparts, there are fantastic views of Ulm Minster, the city and across to the Kuhberg.
Upper and Lower Danube Tower (Plant XXVIII and Plant XXV)
The two turrets on the banks of the Danube controlled the waterway. In addition to their cannons, heavy iron chains stretched across the Danube were also intended to protect the fortress from intruders.
Today, they are firmly in the hands of young people. The Lower Danube Tower is home to the Donauturm e.V. youth and culture platform and is a popular party location. The Upper Danube Tower, also known as the „White Tower“, is the home of the „Weiße Rotte“ scout tribe.
Fort Friedrichsau (XLIE plant)
Embedded in the „green lung of Ulm“, the Friedrichsau, there is a zoo with an aquarium, playgrounds and sports grounds, beer gardens, small lakes and the Danube stadium, as well as a fortress.
Today, Fort Friedrichsau houses the Friedrichsau Museum and provides a meeting place for the youth work of the Ulm Fortress Promotion Association. The fort is freely accessible.
Fort Albeck (Plant XXXIX)
Fort Albeck on the Safranberg, once the largest outer fort of the federal fortress of Ulm, is now home to the Danube Swabian Dance and Traditional Costume Group.
The association „Übermorgenwelt Ulm e.V.“ has also found its home at Fort Albeck. Members and those interested in science fiction, fantasy and horror conquer fantastic worlds in film, art, music, literature and games, also in cooperation with the Landesjugendring Ulm e.V. (Ulm State Youth Association).
Caponniere 4, New Ulm
From May to September, Caponniere 4 is all about art and culture in Neu-Ulm. The historic defence complex adjoining the glacis is part of the Ulm Federal Fortress and was attractively restored for the State Garden Show in 2008.
Its varied programme of concerts, readings, exhibitions and popular jazz matinees has made Caponniere 4 a popular meeting place in the centre of Neu-Ulm.
The cultural events in and around the Capponniere 4 monument are offered free of charge.
Glacis City Park Neu-Ulm with front walls, Caponniere 6
The Glacis grounds in the western part of the former federal fortress were transformed into an attractive city park for the 1980 State Garden Show. The legendary big band concerts, classical and rock or jazz events find their enthusiastic audience on the event stage. But relaxation, enjoyment and play are also not neglected in the well-kept park, with great playgrounds or the beer garden.
Ulmer Höhenweg
The new Ulm High Trail leads from Eselsberg, over Michelsberg and Safranberg to Böfingen. Over a distance of 20 kilometres, hikers are repeatedly offered fantastic views of the city and its federal fortress. Experience the varied cultural landscape of the Blau and Danube valleys.
Fortress path Ulm
Starting from the Wilhelmsburg, the 12.5 km long fortress trail leads along the main ramparts of the federal fortress. 32 information boards provide hikers with information about the buildings, the historical connections to the city and interesting facts about Ulm's Glacis Park and the Neu-Ulm glacis facilities.
Guided city tours in Ulm and Neu-Ulm
All information on guided tours for individual guests and private group tours in Ulm and Neu-Ulm
Other tourist routes
History
As a free imperial city, Ulm was directly subject to the emperor and was not beholden to any regional princes. The merchants of Ulm owed their immense wealth to this circumstance. To protect these privileges, from 1527 Ulm commissioned the modernisation of the city's defences with firearms. In the 17th century, the city's fortifications were extended.
Napoleon's policies fundamentally changed Europe. Ulm was awarded to the Grand Duchy of Bavaria in 1803 and thus lost its independence. In 1805, the traumatic events of the Franco-Austrian War also affected Ulm. Napoleon was victorious in the Battle of Elchingen and forced the Austrian troops billeted in Ulm to surrender. This paved the way for the French advance towards Vienna.
Ulm became part of the Kingdom of Württemberg in 1811 following an exchange of territories. In 1815, the German Confederation was founded and the Kingdom of Württemberg became one of its member states. In order to counter further attacks by France, it was decided to build the five federal fortresses. In addition to Landau, Luxembourg, Mainz and Rastatt, Ulm was also chosen to safeguard Austrian interests.
King Wilhelm I of Württemberg appointed the Prussian Major Moritz von Prittwitz and Gaffron as his fortress construction director in 1838. Major von Hildebrandt was appointed fortress construction director on the Bavarian side. The fortress of the German Confederation was completed between 1842 and 1859.
The physicist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein was born in Ulm in 1879.
Ulm is also the home of the Scholl siblings, who organised the student resistance against National Socialism in Munich with the „White Rose“. The „White Rose Memorial Centre“ in Ulm commemorates this today.
Architecture
From 1527, Ulm's medieval city fortifications were modernised according to Dürer's fortification theory. Remains of these fortifications can still be seen on the banks of the Danube in Ulm. In the 17th century, the city was fortified using a bastion system modelled on the Italian system.
Construction of the federal fortress of Ulm began in 1842. A polygonal main rampart was built as a belt around the city and a further belt of 16 independent outer forts to control the surrounding hills. Two thirds were on the Württemberg side and one third on the Bavarian side of the Danube, today's Neu-Ulm. The federal fortress of Ulm was characterised by the neo-Prussian or neo-German fortress style and consisted of a total of 53 fortifications when it was completed in 1859. The estimated construction costs totalled 16.5 million guilders and were mainly covered by French restoration payments. As a central fortress of the first rank and a „large battlefield“, Ulm could accommodate up to 100,000 soldiers.
After the dissolution of the German Confederation and the founding of the German Reich, Ulm was developed into an imperial fortress from 1871 to 1916, before the city began to be defortified towards 1918. As the Treaty of Versailles of 1918 did not apply to Ulm, the fortress did not have to be completely demolished. As a result, Ulm still has one of the largest fortifications in Europe today. Numerous buildings throughout the city, including almost all the forts and almost the entire city wall of the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm are still preserved.
The Federal Fortress of Ulm also offers a wide range of nature experiences in many sections inside and outside the walls. For example, the „Glacis-Stadtpark Neu-Ulm“ with its water playground and the cosy „Barfüßer-Biergarten“ is located in the setting of Caponniere 6.
The Friedrichsau attracts as Green cabinet of curiosities with the „Naherholungspark Friedrichsau“, Fort Friedrichsau (Werk XLI) and even a nature theatre.
The „Ulm Fortress Trail“ connects preserved buildings of the fortress ring and provides information on 32 boards about their origins, function and post-military use. The hiking trail allows you to discover Ulm's federal fortress over twelve kilometres along its main ramparts. In combination with the „Ulmer Höhenweg“, the geologically interesting and varied cultural landscape between the Swabian Alb, the Blau and Danube valleys can be explored.
Water lovers will also find many opportunities to experience nature along the Danube. A great spectacle is the annual Nabada (Swabian for „swimming down“, a water parade on Schwörmontag, the penultimate Monday in July.
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Fortresses of the German Confederation
Bulwarks against France (1815-1866): In order to protect the German Confederation from revolutionary movements and possible expansion plans of ambitious neighbours, some fortresses were designated as federal fortresses in 1815 and extensively expanded. These included Mainz, Luxembourg and Landau, Rastatt and Ulm.
Event highlights in the fortress city of Ulm/Neu-Ulm
- JANUARY/FEBRUARY: Ulm Fool's Leap
- MAY-JULYUlm tent Music and culture festival in the circus tent
- MAY-AUGUST: Glacis Open-Airs Cultural programme in Glacis Park Neu-Ulm
- JUNE: Landesposaunentag (every two years)
- JULY: International Danube Festival (every two years) Culture, culinary delights and encounters on both banks of the Danube
JULY: Swim Monday (penultimate Monday in July) with Swearing speech, Nabada (water parade on the Danube) and Serenade of light - JULY/AUGUST: Open-air highlights on the Wilhelmsburg (Open air theatre of the Ulm Theatre, Storm the castle)
- AUGUST: Ulm Wine Festival
- SEPTEMBER: Culture night Ulm/Neu-Ulm, Open Monument Day, Einstein Marathon
- DECEMBER: Ulm Christmas Market on the Münsterplatz and Medieval Christmas market in Neu-Ulm
Discover numerous other events in the fortifications of the Federal Fortress of Ulm: tourism.ulm.de
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