Day of the Ulm Federal Fortress
Once a year, the fortifications of Germany's largest preserved federal fortress open their gates
About Fortress Day Ulm
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Germany's Largest Preserved Federal Fortress
What surprises many visitors in Ulm: Between Württemberg and Bavaria, the city was Germany's largest fortress in the 19th century. Between 1842 and 1859, the German Confederation built a massive fortress belt around Ulm and Neu-Ulm – as a barrier against France. The belt comprises 40 fortifications, 24 kilometers of ramparts and, in its substance, has largely survived to this day. Embedded in parks, forests, and residential areas, the Federal Fortress today forms perhaps Germany's most impressive military-architectural complex from the pre-industrial era.
2026 Program – The 14th Fortress Day on June 7
The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, June 7, 2026 – the 14th iteration of this special experience day. In 2026, the Friends of the Ulm Federal Fortress Association will focus thematically on the fortifications of the Ulm Eselsberg: the forts, gun emplacements, and defensive lines in the north of the city, some of which are now surrounded by housing and others hidden in the forest. In addition, the Fortress Museum in Fort Oberer Kuhberg will be open with its collections and special exhibitions.
On offer:
- Guided tours through the individual fortifications (various lengths and themes)
- Special tours for families and children with age-appropriate explanations
- Information boards and displays with historical plans and photos
- Stands of the association with publications, maps, souvenirs
- Catering at selected locations
The complete program with meeting points, tour times, and special activities will be published by the Förderkreis Bundesfestung Ulm e.V. on the association's website shortly before the event.
Fort Oberer Kuhberg – The Centerpiece
The focus of fortress tourism is the Fort Oberer Kuhberg in western Ulm – a completely preserved fortification from the 1850s, which today houses the Fortress Museum. The fort was used as the Ulm-Kuhberg Concentration Camp (1933–1935) during the Nazi era; a dedicated memorial site commemorates this dark history. The site thus combines military architecture, German history, and political memory culture in a way that is rarely found in such concentration.
From Bulwark to Green Recreation Area
Paradoxically, the fascination of the Ulm fortress today lies in its tranquility and nature: what was once a bulwark against military threat is now a green ring around the city with glacis meadows, fortress parks, and walking paths. Strollers and cyclists experience the fortress walls as a backdrop for sports, picnics, and nature observation – a historical and landscape ensemble that the people of Ulm preserve and maintain with great care.
Fortress Day Ulm — edition 2026
Program June 7, 2026
The 14th edition of this Fortress Day in 2026 focuses on the fortifications of the Eselsberg – the northwestern ridge of Ulm, crisscrossed by a series of forts and gun emplacements. These works belong to the outer fortress line and their military-architectural substance has been largely preserved. They are usually not accessible outside of Fortress Day – June 7, 2026, is therefore one of the few opportunities to enter them.
In parallel, the Fortress Museum in Fort Oberer Kuhberg will be open with its permanent collection and special exhibitions. The Friends of the Ulm Federal Fortress Association offers the full spectrum of guided tours – from short introductions for beginners to in-depth tours for fortress enthusiasts.
Programme Fortress Day Ulm 2026
Sunday, June 7, 2026 – Full Day Program
- Fortress Museum Fort Oberer Kuhberg – Open, special exhibitions, concentration camp memorial site
- Eselsberg Fortifications – Open for viewing with guided tours
- Guided Tours in several time slots – Meeting points and times will be published on festung-ulm.de
- Special Tours for Families and Children – Age-appropriate explanation of fortress history
- Association Stands with publications, maps, souvenirs
- Catering at selected locations
Important Note
The complete 2026 day program (times, meeting points for tours, possible advance registration) will be published shortly before the date on festung-ulm.de. Bring sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, as some works are located in forests or on uneven terrain.
Highlights Fortress Day Ulm 2026
- 14th edition of the Day of the Ulm Federal Fortress
- 2026 Focus: Fortifications of the Eselsberg
- Fortress Museum Fort Oberer Kuhberg open
- Oberer Kuhberg Concentration Camp Memorial Site accessible
- Guided tours in several time slots
- Special tours for families and children
- Admission typically free or by donation
Prices Fortress Day Ulm 2026
Admission to most fortifications: free or by donation. Guided tours are sometimes free, sometimes by donation to the association. Advance booking for individual special tours is recommended. Current conditions immediately before the event on festung-ulm.de.
Practical information — Fortress Day Ulm
Getting There
By train: Ulm main station (ICE-Hauptbahnhof Ulm), from there by bus or on foot to the fortifications (10–30 min depending on the site). By car: A8 (Munich–Stuttgart) exit Ulm-West or Ulm-Ost, parking available depending on the fortress area.
Admission
Admission to the fortifications on Fortress Day is generally free; guided tours are sometimes free, sometimes by donation. Current conditions can be found at festung-ulm.de. Advance booking for individual tours is recommended.
Tip
Wear sturdy shoes – the fortress grounds are partly uneven, with stairs, earth ramparts, and unpaved paths. If you want to take advantage of the full day's program, allow 4–6 hours. A guided tour in the morning and a special tour in the afternoon make for a realistic day's itinerary.
Accommodation
Hotels in Ulm and Neu-Ulm in central locations; the Danube area around Ulm Minster and the Fischerviertel, in particular, offers beautiful city-center hotels with views of the fortress and minster.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Fortress Day Ulm
Bundesfestung Ulm — Werke auf dem Eselsberg, Fort Oberer Kuhberg u.a.
Festungsmuseum Fort Oberer Kuhberg, 89073 Ulm