Easy hikes and walks around Marbach am Neckar

Originally built as a smaller Marian chapel, the structure was extensively expanded into a town church around the year 1600. From this era (1602) also dates the striking spiral staircase tower with the city's only surviving Renaissance portal, the so-called Wilder Mann Door. During the Palatinate War of Succession, French troops burned Marbach almost completely. The town church was destroyed down to its outer walls; the vaults collapsed. Under the direction of the ducal court master builder Matthias Weiß, the church was reconstructed in the Baroque style. During this time, the choir also received its characteristic late Baroque steeple. The town church is considered the central baptismal church of famous Marbach personalities. Its most famous godchild is the poet Friedrich Schiller, born on November 10, 1759. The historic baptismal font, at which Schiller was baptized, is still in active use by the Evangelical Church community of Marbach today.

The Wendelinskapelle in Marbach am Neckar is a late Gothic, former private chapel directly next to the Upper Gate Tower, known for its architectural peculiarities and its eventful history. The chapel was built between 1430 and 1433 on the site of a former secular building (of which a cellar was preserved). It was first mentioned in documents in 1433 and endowed as a private chapel. During the Palatinate War of Succession, the building burned down almost completely in 1693, after which the roof collapsed. The ruin did not receive a new roof until 1721. After renovations in 1727 and 1743, the building lost its religious function. The town subsequently used the former chapel as an archive, grain store, armoury, and fire department depot. At the beginning of the 20th century, a transformer station was curiously housed in the historic building. After extensive renovation in 1977/1978, the building was released for commercial and cultural purposes.

The birthplace of Friedrich Schiller in Marbach am Neckar has a multifaceted history, closely linked to the economic hardship of his family and the later emergence of the German poets' cult. The building at Niklastorstraße 31 is a typical craftsman's house from the 1690s. After the old town of Marbach was almost completely destroyed by the devastating town fire of 1693, the house was rebuilt on the salvaged cellar remains of the previous structure. Characteristic of the reconstruction phase of that time is the striking, trapezoidal floor plan of the house.

The Protestant Alexanderkirche in Marbach am Neckar is one of the most important late Gothic hall churches in southern Germany. It marks the oldest settlement core of the city and is located outside the medieval city walls in the area of the original village of Marbach. The present-day monumental church building was begun around 1450 by the famous Württemberg master builder Aberlin Jörg. The project was intended to strengthen the then residence of the Counts of Württemberg with a representative house of worship. Completion took place in 1490.

The facility is located at an exposed altitude above the vineyards. From the natural monument Galgen and the orientation table there, there is a view over the Bottwartal valley to the Stromberg, the Lemberg and the Löwensteiner Berge.

Stone replica of a former storage facility for loads in the vineyards.

great old town in Marbach am Neckar

Sights: 🏰 Schiller National Museum & Museum of Modern Literature (LiMo) The cultural heart of Marbach. Two museums next to each other: Schiller Museum: Life & work of Friedrich Schiller LiMo: modern literature, impressive architecture Top spot if you only want to visit one place. 🏡 Schiller's Birthplace Small half-timbered house, very authentic. Shows Schiller's early world. Located in the middle of the old town.