At the Danube river.

Bavarian Jura

formerly a sea – today a rocky karst landscape and a wealth of limestone caves   

200 million years ago, forces of nature left behind a rather special landscape in the heart of Bavaria: the Bavarian Jura.
Kallmünz is situated at the confluence of the Naab and the Vils.
Kallmünz is situated at the confluence of the Naab and the Vils. – © Susanne Kammerer
Berching is one of the historic markets along the 300 km long circle trail "Fünf-Flüsse-Radweg".
Berching is one of the historic markets along the 300 km long circle trail "Fünf-Flüsse-Radweg". – © Gerhard Eisenschink
Prunn Castle is perched on an almost vertical Jurassic outcrop.
Prunn Castle is perched on an almost vertical Jurassic outcrop. – © Tourismusverband im Landkreis Kelheim e.V.
Prunn Castle
Prunn Castle – © Landkreis Kelheim
Hall of Liberation at Kelheim
Hall of Liberation at Kelheim – © Dietmar Denger
Hall of Liberation at Kelheim
Hall of Liberation at Kelheim – © Stadt Kelheim
Inside the Hall of Liberation at Kelheim 34 monumental goddesses of victory join hands in a ceremonious round dance.
Inside the Hall of Liberation at Kelheim 34 monumental goddesses of victory join hands in a ceremonious round dance. – © Tourismusverband Ostbayern e.V.
The Jurasteig Trail is a route for all seekers, where you hike along alpine paths and through meadows.
The Jurasteig Trail is a route for all seekers, where you hike along alpine paths and through meadows. – © Martin Gabriel

The traces of this former Jurassic Sea, which existed there for millions of years, are somewhat overwhelming for present-day observers: imposing rock formations and picturesque moorland grazed by sheep with delicate orchids and mystical limestone caves are typical for a karst landscape. Rivers meander through mighty rock faces, and man-made castles and palaces dominate the view. A journey through the Bavarian Jura is like a trip into many different worlds: in the history of our earth, in the underworld, in increasingly rare plant and animal kingdoms. 
 

The Weltenburg Abbey is located at the romantic Danube Gorge.
The Weltenburg Abbey is located at the romantic Danube Gorge. – © Tourismusverband im Landkreis Kelheim e.V.
Sensational boat trip through the narrow and rocky Danube Gorge.
Sensational boat trip through the narrow and rocky Danube Gorge. – © Schneck
Prunn Castle is perched high above the Altmühl river valley near Regensburg.
Prunn Castle is perched high above the Altmühl river valley near Regensburg. – © Schifffahrt Klinger GmbH
At the Danube river.
At the Danube river. – © Tourismusverband Ostbayern e.V., Stefan Gruber

Particularly sensational is a boat trip through the narrow and rocky Danube Gorge, one of the most beautiful and impressive sections of the c. 2800-kilometre-long River Danube. The final destination of the boat trip, which leaves from Kelheim, is Weltenburg Abbey, an old Benedictine monastery with a wonderful, baroque church and also the home of the oldest monastery brewery in the world.