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U-Pb-SHRIMP dating of zircons, zircon morphology, geochemistry and isotopic data of metamagmatites from the Bayerischer Wald (Germany) reveal a complex evolution of this section of the Moldanubian Zone exposed in the western Bohemian Massif of the central European Variscan belt. In the south-western part of the Bayerischer Wald Upper Vendian magmatism is constrained by SHRIMP ages of 555 \xb1 12, 549 \xb1 7 and 549 \xb1 6 Ma from metarhyolites and a metabasite. Inherited zircon cores were not observed. Zircon overgrowths yielding pooled ages of 316 \xb1 10 and 319 \xb1 5 Ma provide evidence for Variscan metamorphic zircon growth; cathodoluminescence imaging reveals a two-stage metamorphic overprint.\nIn contrast, Lower Ordovician magmatism and anatexis are documented in the north-eastern parts of the Bayerischer Wald by metagranitoids (480 \xb1 6, 486 \xb1 7 Ma) and a leucosome (491 to 457 Ma). Inherited zircon cores are found in Lower Ordovician metamagmatites indicating a Palaeoproterozoic-Archaean (2.70, 2.02 Ga) source region, presumably of Gondwana affinity (West African craton), and documenting Cadomian magmatism (>615 to 560 Ma).\nUpper Vendian magmatism is assumed at an active continental margin with ensialic back-arc development (\u03b5Nd(t) \u20134.58 to +1.22). An active continental margin setting, possibly with some lateral variation (accretion/collision) is envisaged for the Lower Ordovician producing granitoids, rhyolites, leucosomes (\u03b5Nd(t) -0.5 to -6.27) and andesites.\nA tentative palaeogeographic reconstruction puts the "Bayerischer Wald" in a close relationship with the Habach terrane (proto-Alps), as the "eastern" extension of terranes of the northern Gondwana margin.