How to Visit the Hall of Liberation (Befreiungshalle)
Hall of Liberation is a great day trip from Regensburg.
Read our travel guide on the Hall of Liberation, Germany (Befreiungshalle). It includes tips on what to expect, how to get, where to stay, and when to go.
The Hall of Liberation was one of the most impressive structures we visited on our trip to Bavaria. It's known as Befreiungshalle in German, and you can find it near the small town of Kelheim. Once you get there, the 45-meter-high monument is hard to miss as it stands proudly on the hill above the Danube River in the west part of Kelheim. Together with the nearby Weltenburg Abbey and Walhalla Memorial, the Hall of Liberation is a great day trip from Regensburg. If you have time, you can visit all these places on the same day as we did. So here's everything you need to know about the Hall of Liberation before you go.
How to Visit the Hall of Liberation
It was a beautiful spring day, so we just really took advantage of the great weather and explored the countryside around Regensburg. After starting at Walhalla and then visiting the Weltenburg Abbey, we finally made it to Kelheim. Our final stop of the day before heading to Regensburg was the Hall of Liberation, the Befreiungshalle. We parked at the designated area and continued to the visitor center to purchase the tickets. Normally, you can pay by card, but the terminal was down during our visit, so we had to pay in cash.
There is a small admission to the Hall of Liberation.
From the parking lot and ticket office, it's an easy 500-meter walk along the flat trail to the Hall of Liberation entrance. The monument faces Kelheim, nestled below in the valley like Walhalla. The structure's outer ring is lined with 18 giant statues standing on large rectangular pillars and representing old German tribes.
Even though we couldn't yet see the main entrance, the structure made a huge impression on us. Stopping at one of the information boards along the pathway revealed to us that the structure is not technically just yellow painted as we had thought. The walls have an interesting colorful pattern that was restored during the 2005 restoration.
History
King Ludwig I commissioned the construction of the Hall of Liberation in 1842 to commemorate the victorious battles against Napoleon, known as the Wars of Liberation (1813 and 1815). The 45-meter dome-shaped monument also celebrates the unification of all the German races. The structure was initially designed by Friedrich Gartner, who was inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome and medieval Italy. After his unexpected death, Leo von Klenze completed the Hall of Liberation (he also did the nearby Walhalla Memorial). The exterior features 18 statues (allegories of the German tribes), while the interior has 34 statues of Goddesses of Victory made of white marble.
Self-Guided Tour
Once we passed through the entry gate at the lower part, we climbed a short staircase and walked around the structure to take some photos with the free-standing pillars. Then we walked in and appeared in a huge hall with an enormous dome. You can easily explore the Hall of Liberation on a self-guided tour. If you want to learn more, you can also download a free guide. It's Befreiungshalle Kelheim, and you can download it from the App Store (there are QR codes on the site).
The Hall of Liberation commemorates German victories against Napoleon.
One of the biggest surprises of the Hall of Liberation is that the visitors are allowed to use the walkway in the upper part of the monument. We didn't expect that, so that was a nice surprise. Being able to climb to the Hall of Liberation's upper level is probably the main difference from the nearby Walhalla. After climbing 165 steps, we got to the highest point visitors are allowed to see. The view of the Altmuhl Valley from the top was worth the climb and effort.
On the way down, we stopped in the hall's middle section, which is also incredibly photogenic. In fact, that was probably my favorite part of the tour, as we could enjoy stunning views of the ornamented ceiling and floor. Back at the main level, we walked around the hall again and then back to the parking lot, from where we finally headed to Regensburg.
Photography
By the way, photography is allowed at the Hall of Liberation. That's great news, as the site offers tons of great photo opportunities.
The inside of the Hall of Liberation is really something else.
Opening Hours
You can visit the Hall of Liberation year-round. The monument is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from March to October. It remains open even during the winter from 10 AM to 4 PM (November to March).
Entrance Fee
You can freely roam the area around the monument. The Hall of Liberation has $4.50 admission if you want to go inside. That's a fair price even for travelers visiting Germany on a budget. You can buy the tickets at the visitor center beside the parking lot. They also offer combo tickets, including the Hall of Liberation, Prunn Castle, and Walhalla, at a reduced price.
How Much Time Do I Need
If you want to go inside, allow yourself at least 60 minutes for the Hall of Liberation. This is about the amount of time we spent at the site ourselves.
We visited the Hall of Liberation on a sunny day, and the views were spectacular.
When to Go
As mentioned earlier, you can visit the Hall of Liberation at any time of the year. Summer offers the best weather for a visit to Germany, but you need to be prepared for crowds at popular tourist attractions. Spring and fall are ideal for those who want a more relaxing time at this site, with a good chance for nice weather. You can visit the Hall of Liberation even during the winter if you prefer to avoid the crowds. Just be prepared that the weather is often cold, and days are fairly short in this part of Europe.
What to Pack
Wear clothing according to the weather, and make sure you have comfortable shoes to tackle all those steps that will take you to the top.
How to Get to Befreiungshalle
There are several ways to get to the Hall of Liberation, including by car, train, bus, bike, or foot. The easiest way to get to the Hall of Liberation is by car or on foot, depending on where you start your trip. We had a car for this trip, but if that’s not an option for you, check rental car rates here.
By Car: The Hall of Liberation is about 30 kilometers from Regensburg, 110 kilometers south of Nuremberg, and 110 kilometers north of Munich.
Parking
There is a relatively large parking lot at the main entrance. The parking is not free, and it was cash only at the time of our visit.
Shuttle: The sightseeing Ludwigsbahn train is another alternative to get to the Hall of Liberation from Kelheim. The blue-and-white shuttle departs from the main Kelheim pier (it's the one in the town center).
By Public Transport: When it comes to public transport, things are a bit complicated. The nearest train station is located in Saal (Donau), about six kilometers east of Kelheim's town center. There is also a bus station from which you can take a bus to Wöhrdplatz/Zentrum in Kelheim.
On Foot: If you stay in Kelheim, you can easily get to the Hall of Liberation on foot. The monument is less than 1.5 kilometers from Kelheim's town center and the main central parking lot (Wöhrdplatz - Parkplatz P5). Note that while the trail is well-maintained and relatively short, it's fairly steep, which is good to know if you have mobility issues.
By Bike: We passed a few cyclists along the way, meaning you can easily get to the Hall of Liberation on the bike as well. They had e-bikes, making the short climb look effortless.
By Boat: Similar to Walhalla, you can take a boat tour from Regensburg to Kelheim. Don't forget that the boats also run between Kelheim and Weltenburg.
Cruises are a popular way to explore attractions around Kelheim.
Where to Stay
You will find some accommodation in Kelheim and a few guesthouses in the nearby Weltenburg. Obviously, Regensburg offers the widest range of hotels for all budgets and preferences. Plus, the city is just a short drive from Kelheim. So here are the best hotels near the Hall of Liberation.
Regensburg | Novotel Regensburg Zentrum - This popular hotel features modern decor, air-conditioned rooms, a buffet breakfast, and private parking. Great value for money.
Regensburg | Hotel Orphee - Set in a baroque building in the heart of Regensburg, Hotel Orphee is a great place to stay. Expect beautifully decorated rooms, hard-to-beat locations, great food, and excellent service.
Kelheim | Dormero Hotel Kelheim - Situated in the town center, this hotel is considered one of the best in Kelheim. Expect clean, affordable rooms, a good breakfast, and fitness and wellness facilities.
Staying Safe
The Hall of Liberation is generally a very safe place to visit. Stick to the designated paths, especially if you decide to climb to the main viewpoint of the hall. If you arrive by car, don't leave your valuables inside it.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
We got a great view of Kelheim from the top of the Hall of Liberation.
Is the Hall of Liberation Worth Visiting?
We believe the Hall of Liberation is worth seeing for numerous reasons. The monument is just gigantic and well worth visiting even if you don't plan to go in. That would be a shame, though, as the interior is even more absorbing. Another awesome thing about the Hall of Liberation is that you can climb to the upper platform for even more stunning views. Plus, the monument is easily accessible by car or on foot, which is a short but rewarding little hike. Afterwards, we visited loads of ‘traditional’ castles, palaces, etc, including Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, and seeing Befreiungshalle was a nice change.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
