Schwäbisch Hall: Old Town, Landscape and Culture

Discover the Old Town and its Culture

The medieval lanes of the historic old town have remained almost unchanged. The townscape also includes sections of the town wall, numerous towers, covered wooden bridges, and many steps and stairways. The historic market square is another landmark in the town centre. If you enjoy exploring a town on foot, you’ll find plenty of character and ever-changing views here—just remember that the many steps are part of the townscape.

The museums also cover a range of subjects. The Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum is housed in seven historic buildings. The Kunsthalle Würth opened in 2001. In Schwäbisch Hall-Wackershofen, the Hohenloher Freilandmuseum comprises more than 75 historic buildings. When planning your trip, these destinations can appeal to a range of interests, from local history and art to historic buildings, without requiring you to focus your stay on just one theme.

A distinctive feature of the collegiate church of St. Nicholas at Großcomburg Monastery is its Romanesque wheel chandelier. A walking path leads from the town centre through Ackeranlagen town park to the monastery in 30 minutes. This offers a way to combine an interest in church art with a walk. If you are interested in regional history, you could also add the Sandelsche Museum in Kirchberg an der Jagst to your itinerary: spread across several floors, it presents the history of the former residence town and its surrounding area. The Johanniterkirche offers guided tours for groups, school classes and kindergartens by arrangement.

Salt History, Activities and Relaxation

At the live salt-boiling demonstrations, visitors can see the traditional salt-making process and learn more about the history of salt in Schwäbisch Hall. This offers a glimpse of a traditional craft alongside the historic buildings. For a different kind of break, the Schwäbisch Hall saltwater spa features three brine pools and wellness facilities.

If you would like to explore Schwäbisch Hall by bike, the Kocher-Jagst Cycle Path runs right through the town. Three day tours by bike start and finish directly in the town centre. The district also has cycle paths along the Kocher, Jagst and Bühler rivers.

Plains, Hills and Valleys

The landscape of Schwäbisch Hall district is divided into two distinct areas: the fertile Hohenlohe Plain in the north and the Franconian-Swabian Keuper hills in the south. The Mainhardt Forest, the Waldenburg Hills, the Limpurg Hills and the Ellwangen Hills are among the largest recreational and woodland areas. Plains alternate with deep valleys, while protected valley slopes shape the landscape along the Kocher, Jagst and their tributaries.

Einkorn is the local hill that shares its name with Schwäbisch Hall. It rises 507 metres above the surrounding area and has long been a popular destination for excursions and local recreation. If you would like to focus your stay more on nature and scenery, you can take these hills and woodland areas into account when choosing the focus of your holiday. The centuries-old Way of St. James also passes through Schwäbisch Hall on its route to Santiago de Compostela.

Towns and Villages in the District

For further orientation in the district: Blaufelden, Rot Am See, Vellberg, Schwäbisch Hall, Kreßberg, Oberrot, Satteldorf, Wallhausen, Sulzbach, Rosengarten, Crailsheim, Ilshofen, Döttingen, Kirchberg An Der Jagst, Gaildorf, Braunsbach, Langenburg, Bühlertann, Bühlerzell, Michelbach An Der Bilz, Mainhardt, Fichtenau, Cröffelbach, Stimpfach, Schrozberg and Gerabronn.

Regional Cuisine

There are also several regional influences in the local cuisine: Einkorn Stadl serves Swabian, Hohenlohe and Tyrolean dishes. Exploring the local cuisine can add another dimension to choosing between town, culture and nature experiences.

For the broader travel overview: Baden-Württemberg.