Deggendorf
ENCHANTING BAVARIAN TOWN ON THE DANUBE RIVER

View of building on Deggendorf town square
View of building on Deggendorf town square© DIT – Deggendorf Institute of Technology

The Lower Bavarian town of Deggendorf is often called the gateway to the “Bavarian Forest”. Located in an idyllic valley at the foot of the mountains of the Bavarian Forest, Deggendorf is the perfect place to start exploring eastern Bavaria. And there are many cultural and culinary highlights waiting to be discovered there, as well.

Facts

33,750 Inhabitants ¹

7,799 Students ²

1 Higher education institution ²

WELCOME TO DEGGENDORF

Legend has it that a “dumpling” once saved Deggendorf from its enemies. This might sound like a joke, but it’s no laughing matter to the locals when they tell the story of a mayor’s wife who threw a dumpling into the face of an enemy spy. He returned home to report that the people of Deggendorf had so much food they even used it throw at enemies, upon which they surrendered. For this reason, the Bavarian dumpling, a speciality made of potatoes or breadcrumbs, has a special meaning for Deggendorf. There’s even a monument honouring the famous “dumpling thrower” – a fountain in the historic quarter. And when you order a coffee, you often receive a small, sweet “Deggendorf dumpling” made of sponge cake on the side.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre of St. Peter and Paul © Bettina Ruhland
Church of the Holy Sepulchre of St. Peter and Paul© Bettina Ruhland
The guesthouse "Zur Knödelwerferin" on the town square © Bettina Ruhland
The guesthouse "Zur Knödelwerferin" on the town square© Bettina Ruhland
Building at Deggendorf city center
Building at Deggendorf city center© DIT – Deggendorf Institute of Technology
Building at Deggendorf city center
Building at Deggendorf city center© DIT – Deggendorf Institute of Technology
Statue at Deggendorf city center
Statue at Deggendorf city center© DIT – Deggendorf Institute of Technology

You can find a quiet place for coffee at the Stadtplatz, for example. The square is situated right in the centre of town and is a popular meeting place with its many beer gardens, ice cream parlours and cafés.

Like all Bavarian towns, Deggendorf has its fair share of churches and monasteries. The best-known church in Deggendorf is the . Its steeple is quite extraordinary. It was completed 400 years after the church was built and is regarded today as one of the most beautiful Baroque church steeples in southern Germany. A former Capuchin monastery where the friars of the Capuchin Franciscan Order had lived until 1802 was converted into a centre for culture, music and art in 1990. Today it goes by the name and is a great place to enjoy yet undiscovered bands, experience an “Irish Night” and see theatre performances.

Tip

If you want to go on an excursion – either jogging or biking – head out toward Metten along the Danube River. And in the summer, go to a traditional Bavarian beer garden as often as you can.

Apart from its famous dumpling, the residents of Deggendorf have a second great love – the Danube River. Along the banks of the Danube, the takes place. This cultural festival is open to all generations and features live music, dancing, sports events and delicious food. But even during the rest of the year, the Danube is a popular place to take walks, go jogging or spend a beautiful summer evening with friends.

FRANCIS FROM COLOMBIA

LIVING IN DEGGENDORF

If you decide to study in Deggendorf, you can quickly be outdoors in nature and take marvellous excursions. For those who like biking (or “radeln” as the Bavarians say), there are many bike paths in and around town. You don’t have to be a professional cyclist either; there are easier tours that are doable in a day. A hike along the “Böhmweg”, however, is a little more challenging for your condition and your feet. This hiking trail starts at the Stadtplatz in Deggendorf and ends about 52 km away in the town of Bayerisch Eisenstein on the border to the Czech Republic. You can break up the trip into shorter sections and take your time exploring the vast expanses of the Bavarian Forest.

Most students kick off their evenings in Deggendorfat one of the many pubs and bars downtown. From there, you can go out dancing at a club. For an even cosier atmosphere, we recommend ordering a hearty Bavarian meal at a beer garden and a thirst-quenching “Radler” (mixed beverage with beer and Sprite).

Links

Numerous festivities are held in Deggendorf throughout the year. A special event is the “”. Bohemia was once a kingdom which now lies on the other side of the Bavarian border in the Czech Republic. Readings, concerts and exhibitions on Bavarian-Bohemian culture are staged all over town during that week, and restaurants and pubs serve up specialities that match. Every year in April/May, the town’s inhabitants meet in the festival tents at the Deggendorf Spring Festival on the festival grounds at Ackerloh. And at the end of November, residents ring in the Christmas season with a . It’s a small Christmas market which hasn’t lost its traditional character and most of the visitors are locals. About 40 booths are set up at the Altes Rathaus (Old Townhall) where you can drink mulled wine, eat piping-hot waffles and warm your hands around an open fire.

How to find a room in Deggendorf

Many university and college towns have dormitories or student halls, and a room there is often the most affordable accommodation. To obtain a room in a dormitory or student hall, you have to apply to your college or university’s student union (). Our ‘Find Student Hall’ function can be of practical help. You only need to make a few mouse clicks to get to the online application form. Find a room and more information about dormitories and student halls in Deggendorf.

Sources
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