Inscriptions of Germany (Baden-Württemberg)

Inscriptions of Ulm

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The city of Ulm is situated in Baden-Wurttemberg, on the banks of the Danube river. Former Free Imperial City (German: freie Reichsstadt), it is an economic centre due to various industries, it is the seat of a university, it has the church with the tallest steeple in the world, and it is the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Nowadays it has about 125,000 inhabitants.

Situated on the frontier between Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, the city of Ulm changed its "nationality" several times in its history but as a result of the Napoleonian wars and the subsequent political troubles, Ulm has found itself divided between the two states. The main part of the city, including the historical center, now belongs to the Baden-Wurttemberg whereas the former suburban parts beyond the Danube river are Bavarian now as a separate city named Neu-Ulm.

Ulm has managed to preserve a rich architectural heritage covering several centuries. And of course, there are many interesting inscriptions to be read.

Note on the legendary Ulm sparrow: According to a legend first documented in the 19th century, the inhabitants of Ulm had a big problem during the construction of their famous minster because they needed to bring a specially long beam into the fortified city. As they had put it crosswise on a cart, the beam could not pass the city gate. Just before destroying the city wall in order to make the gate larger, they fortunately saw a sparrow that entered a long twig into its nest holding it lengthways. This gave the Ulm inhabitants the idea of imitating the sparrow and this saved the city wall. Though this legend does not attest the inhabitants much intelligence, the sparrow has become a symbol of the city of Ulm and you will find all sorts of strange sparrows exhibited throughout the historical city. The original sparrow, which initially was placed on the top of the minster's bell tower but damaged by bad weather and air pollution, is now in a glass box inside the minster. Apparently there is no lack of humor in Ulm.

By the way, Ulm is situated in a Swabian region and the traditional Swabian noodles are called "Spätzle" (= little sparrows). What a coincidence!

Bibliography

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Arrival by Public Transport

Ulm is not only situated on the important European railway line going from Paris to Bratislava via Strasburg, Stuttgart, Munich, and Vienna but many other destinations equally meet in the central station of Ulm.

The Ulm central station is on the south-western border of the historical center. Exiting the station and taking the pedestrian subway you will find yourself in the main pedestrian street of the historical center of Ulm. If you like walking, you can easily reach all the inscriptions described here without using a car. But if required you can take a tramway or a bus go there or to return to your hotel after a long day of touristic activities.

For your regional trips in Bavaria, note that the so-called Bayern-Ticket (to be used only in local and regional trains but valid for five persons and one day) allows you to go even to Ulm though this is a station beyond the Baden-Wurttemberg frontier.

Indications concerning the arrival correspond to our personal knowledge or even experience, but we cannot assume any responsibility for their rightness. When you are reading this page, things may have changed in reality.

For regional, national, and international trains, see the online information of the Deutsche Bahn or that of your national railway company.

Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2012

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Last updated: July 31, 2019