Ulm Minster (Ulmer Münster)

The basics

Ulmer Münster is a place of worship that is free to enter if you want to say a prayer, light a candle, and admire the interior. You must pay to climb the steps to the views from the 528-foot (161-meter) steeple. You can stop at two lower lookout points or climb the 760-odd stepped staircase to the top viewing platform. Views sweep over Ulm, the Black Forest, and—on clear days—the Alps.

Take an Ulm walking tour or private tour to learn about the church’s history. Many tours highlight the church as they pass through the old town. You can also visit the church for concerts or events throughout the year.

Things to know before you go

• Renovation works on the church steeple often take place, and the viewing platform is often closed—check if it's open before you go.

• For a person of good general fitness, the climb to the top viewing point takes 30-45 minutes.

• The last section of the climb to the top viewing point is up a narrow, single-track spiral staircase.

• Anyone can attend the protestant masses held in German on Sundays, but general sightseeing is prohibited during services and other events.

How to get there

Ulm Hauptbahnhof is around an hour by train from Stuttgart or around 1.5 hours from Munich. Ulm Münster is an easy 10-minute walk from this central Ulm train station. If you happen to be in Ulm's old town, you can’t miss the church, as its steeple dominates the city's every angle.

When to get there

Ulmer Münster is open daily, year-round, from morning until late afternoon, with extended opening hours from April through September. Avoid Sundays for sightseeing, as the church limits entry to those attending the masses and organ concerts. If you visit in winter, time your visit to catch the Christmas markets outside the church or catch one of the special Advent organ concerts inside.

The Israelfenster

While Ulm Münster was left mostly unscathed in World War II, some of its windows were damaged. One of these windows was replaced by a window known as the Israelfenster. This stained-glass window was created to commemorate the Jews of Ulm who were killed in the Holocaust. You can see it today above the church’s west door.