The Blautopf is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Baden-Württemberg. Photo: imago/Robert Harding
Bavaria has the Königssee, Baden-Württemberg has the Blautopf: when influencers look at the region, the blue spring not far from Ulm is often mentioned as a day trip tip. That should now be over for the time being.
Anyone who still wants to see this natural spectacle will have to act quickly: The Blautopf not far from Ulm is to be closed from Monday for an expected four years. The area around the intensely glowing karst spring in Blaubeuren is being renovated and modernized. The work is scheduled to run until December 2028.
According to the town of Blaubeuren, up to half a million people visit the Blautopf every year. The spring is located on the edge of the old town. The area around the spring is getting old and therefore needs to be extensively renovated. It is to be made more attractive and barrier-free. The local council decided in 2016 to redesign the popular tourist destination. Construction work will begin with the closure at the end of August.
This is done
The plan includes the construction of a new car bridge, the circular path is to be rebuilt and toilet facilities are to be built. The visible start of the structural changes will be the renovation of the historic weir at the Albwasserversorgung, where the pedestrian bridge will also be rebuilt. Suggestions have been collected from residents. Ulm offices have been awarded the contract for their design.
The reconstruction is not about a revolution, but about an evolution, explained Blaubeuren’s mayor Jörg Seibold (independent) on the city’s website. The concerns of the residents were taken into account, as were the extensive nature conservation requirements.
This is how much the conversion costs
“The planned total costs of the Blautopf area renovation are in the mid-double-digit million range,” the city explained. The municipality will bear at least 40 percent of the costs itself. The renovation will also be financed with federal and state subsidies. A grant of 2.4 million euros has already been approved, and further funds can be applied for in the course of the project. Around 2.2 million euros have been added through a state tourism infrastructure program. Further funding is also possible here.
The mammoth project is divided into twelve construction phases. “We have to take spawning and breeding times into account and ensure that ambulances can pass through the entire project and that residents have unhindered access,” explained project manager Manuela Irlwek. The city now hopes that other attractions will attract tourists. And there may be a viewing platform from September from which you can see the Blautopf despite the work.
Where does the blue color come from?
According to the city, the Blautopf gets its characteristic color from the light that falls on it. “All colors except blue are swallowed up when immersed in the deep water, only blue is reflected and thus visible to us.” The light is also refracted millions of times in the small lime particles in the water, so it appears bright blue.
The water comes from rainfall in the Swabian Jura. It collects in a huge cave system. Depending on the weather, the spring releases up to 2,300 liters per second. The water temperature is around nine degrees all year round. However, bathing in the 22-meter-deep spring is not permitted for nature conservation reasons.
