Durlach: History, Wine Trails and Panoramic Views

Durlach combines medieval charm, the history of the Margraves and scenic experiences on Turmberg. The former residence of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach is particularly evident in the old town and the historic townscape. In addition, there is the Pfinzgaumuseum in Karlsburg, three colour-coded wine trails and a viewpoint from which, on a clear day, you can see as far as the peaks of the Vosges, across the Rhine Valley and to the Palatinate Forest.

Urban History in the Old Town and Karlsburg

Those interested in culture and historical connections will find several different ways to explore Durlach. The old town, with its medieval charm, and the historic townscape make the development of the place easy to understand. Karlsburg plays a central role in this. After Margrave Charles II moved the residence from Pforzheim to Durlach in 1565, an existing hunting lodge was converted into Karlsburg with an adjoining garden complex. Until its destruction by the French in 1689, it was the residence palace of the Margraves of Baden-Durlach.

The baroque Karlsburg houses the Pfinzgaumuseum. It is dedicated to the past and present of the formerly independent town of Durlach and displays objects relating to the art, cultural, social and everyday history of the town, which remained independent until 1938. Local history is presented in a permanent exhibition as well as in changing special exhibitions. This allows you to combine a tour of Durlach with different cultural focuses without limiting yourself to a single era.

Another historical stop is the Nikolaus Chapel. It is a listed monument, was extensively renovated in 2002 and converted for multifunctional use. Turmberg swimming pool is also part of the town’s more recent development: The new building included a 50-metre swimming pool and a non-swimmer pool.

Turmberg, Wine Trails and Panoramic Views

On Durlach’s Turmberg, the wine-growing region can be explored along three wine trails. The routes are marked with purple, green or red pictograms. This gives Durlach a clear focus on landscapes and winegrowing in addition to its urban history. Those who enjoy dividing their stay between cultural discoveries and outdoor activities can take both aspects into account when planning their day.

On a clear day, the view from Turmberg reaches as far as the peaks of the Vosges, across the Rhine Valley and to the Palatinate Forest. Visibility is therefore one of the conditions you should consider when planning a scenic outing. The history of Turmberg also includes the Turmberg funicular, which has been in operation since 1888.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Durlach, it helps to first determine the main focus of your trip. If you mainly want to explore the old town, Karlsburg and the museum, the town’s cultural history will be at the centre of your stay. Choosing accommodation then becomes not only a question of where to spend the night, but also a decision about your preferred travel rhythm.

For families with different interests, this combination can be particularly helpful when planning each day: A stay can be varied between urban history, museum visits, landscapes and winegrowing. You should consider the individual offerings separately and choose your accommodation according to the actual goals of your trip.

If you would like to compare Durlach with other destinations, you can also include Oststadt and Grötzingen in your selection. Durlach itself particularly appeals to travellers who want to combine a historically shaped setting with a museum, the history of the Margraves, wine trails and panoramic views.

For the broader travel overview: Karlsruhe.