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Places to see
Germany
Baden-Württemberg

Tübingen District

Landkreis Reutlingen
Bad Urach

Shepherds' Run Monument, Bad Urach Market Square

Discover
Places to see
Germany
Baden-Württemberg

Tübingen District

Landkreis Reutlingen
Bad Urach

Shepherds' Run Monument, Bad Urach Market Square

Highlight • Monument

Shepherds' Run Monument, Bad Urach Market Square

Recommended by 90 hikers out of 94

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Geopark Schwäbische Alb

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    Location: Bad Urach, Landkreis Reutlingen, Tübingen District, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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    3. Höllenlöcher Bad Urach – Höllenlöcher Bad Urach loop from Bad Urach

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    April 26, 2025

    Shepherd's Run Monument by Peter Lenk

    The Shepherd's Run Monument by Peter Lenk was erected on the Urach market square to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Shepherd's Run. The monument depicts the shepherd's festival in its original form, without superfluous, site-specific decorations.

    The sculpture consists of several almost life-size figures depicting the shepherds' race and the occasional scuffle for victory.

    The Shepherd's Race has a long tradition: The Shepherd's Guild met for its general assembly in the old Free German Imperial City of Markgöningen as early as 1443. After the official matters concerning sheep farming were dealt with by the Shepherd's Court, the Shepherd's Race followed. Unmarried shepherds and shepherd's daughters raced against each other across a stubble field.

    The Shepherd's Run in Bad Urach

    Since 1723, Bad Urach has celebrated the Urach Shepherd's Race every two years, which dates back to an order by Duke Eberhard Ludwig. He wanted to spare the shepherds on the Alb the long journey to the Markgröningen Shepherd's Day at that time. The ducal decree led to the establishment of a "Neben- und Viertellade" (Neighborhood and Quarter Lodge) for the Shepherds' Guild, with permission to hold a Shepherd's Run. Even then, the people of Urach maintained the now traditional festivities: a large folk festival with thousands of guests takes place around the competition between young shepherds' sons and daughters with prize herding and the legendary Shepherd's Run for the Shepherd's Crown.

    The monument is complemented by a carillon tower, from which melodies ring out four times a day. The repertoire changes monthly, with songs tailored to the time of day and year.

    The bell melodies can be heard at the following times:

    9:01 a.m.

    10:01 a.m.

    12:05 p.m.

    3:05 p.m.

    7:01 p.m.

    Source: badurach-tourismus.de/attraktion/schaeferlauf-denkmal-von-peter-lenk-6d74ec1d92

    Translated by Google •

      April 26, 2025

      Shepherd's Run Sculpture for the Anniversary: Bad Urach will receive a work of art by sculptor Peter Lenk for the 300th anniversary of the Shepherd's Run next year. The local council voted in favor of this with a large majority. After the artist personally presented his design at the end of last year, the Bad Urach council has now decided to officially commission him. Peter Lenk, arguably one of the most important living sculptors in Germany, depicts the original and true core of the Shepherd's Festival in his sculpture "The Shepherd's Run." He dispenses with all site-specific and purely decorative elements. Of course, he also includes a healthy dose of humor, in typical Lenk style. According to current designs, the sculpture is intended to be the focal point of Bad Urach's market square. It will feature several almost life-sized figures depicting the shepherds' race and the occasional scuffle for victory. At the center of the sculpture will be a several-meter-high carillon, which will either play preset melodies or be operated manually using a keyboard. During the Shepherd Run, the popular festival melodies will also be heard there. During the discussion prior to the resolution, the city councilors particularly emphasized the added value for the city. The sculpture by the nationally renowned artist could become an invigorating attraction for visitors from far beyond the Erms Valley. Furthermore, the 300th anniversary of the Shepherd Run is a fitting occasion to create something lasting in the cityscape, thus visually placing the old traditional festival at the center of the city. The committee thus aims to create works of art in public spaces, representing our generation, for those living today and their descendants, that are of a quality no less than those left behind by previous generations in Urach. To give city councilors and residents a first impression of the sculpture and the carillon, the city administration commissioned the Hülben-based company CMC Engineers GmbH to create a visualization, which can be seen here: Shepherd's Run Sculpture by Peter Lenk Visualization 2022.

      Source: badurach-schaeferlauf.de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten-aktuelles/bad-uracher-schaeferlauf-skulptur

      Translated by Google •

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        Elevation 470 m

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        Thursday 18 December

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        Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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        Location: Bad Urach, Landkreis Reutlingen, Tübingen District, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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