Gleßbrunnen

Useful Information

Location:	Wolkertshofen, 85128 Nassenfels. (48.793860, 11.254734)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:
Address:	Markt Nassenfels, Thomas Hollinger, Schulstr. 9, 85128 Nassenfels, Tel: +49-8424-8911-0. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Gleßbrunnen is the name of several karst springs near Nassenfels in Schuttermoos swamp, west of Ingolstadt in Upper Bavaria. The area is located on the southern edge of the Alb. There are a large number of karst springs where the karst aquifer emerges and eventually flows into the Danube, which drains the entire area to the south. This also includes the many springs of the Gleßbrunnen, which flow directly into the Schutter. The fact that the final end of the karst area is reached here can also be recognised by the fact that the Schutter and the springs form a wetland here - the Schuttermoos - due to the almost non-existent gradient. Underground, there are karstified reef limestones and the water flows through the karst crevices and caves in the rock. The valley itself is a former valley of the Danube, which flowed here from 250,000 to 130,000 BP, which is why the valley is also known as the Urdonau valley.

The name Gleßbrunnen is the official modern spelling, but historically it was also written Kläß-, Klees-, Gleiß- or Gläsbrunnen. The name is derived from the glistening, glassy surface of the water, in which trees and bushes are reflected. In fact, the locals used to regard the spring as threatening; people could not explain the bluish shimmering water from the eerie depths. And because they could not see the bottom in the centre of the pond, they even thought they could sink the church tower into it. People were also afraid that Irrlichter (will-o'-the-wisps) in the Schuttermoos would lead nighttime travellers into the Gleßbrunnen. In Nassenfels, therefore, the so-called ‘Irrglocke’ was rung in the evening so that hikers could find their way. This was only abolished a few years ago.

The spring funnels are all very close to each other and even merge several times, giving the impression that there is only one single spring funnel. There are five interconnected spring pots, the two largest with a diameter of 10 to 15 metres and a depth of 5 to 9 metres. They produce a total of 700 litres per second; in times of drought, the flow can drop to 200 litres per second. The water is 10 °C all year round and has a blue colour due to its high limestone content, caused by the filtering of sunlight in the water.

The water from the springs flows northwards in the Bründelgraben and away from the Schutter river. It bends twice to the right at a 90° angle and finally reaches the Schutter at the Unterhaidmühle mill. Like other canals in the area, the Bründelgraben was obviously created artificially. There is a second pond on the road to Unterhaidmühle. Although this is labelled Gleßbrunnen on OpenStreetMap, it is actually an artificial fish pond.

The Gleßbrunnen are located some 500 metres southwest of the Wolkertshofen village. Although they are freely accessible, they are not really developed. It is recommended to park at the playground in Wolkertshofen and walk to the spring pond. The easiest way to get there is to follow the tarmac road westwards for 400 metres. Then turn left onto the grassy path and follow it for 370 metres to the spring.

Another karst spring is located 1 km south-west near Egweil. It is used as a Kneipp facility and can even be reached by car, simply drive to the recycling centre and then follow the road.