Villingen-Schwenningen: Moor, Neckar and City History
Accommodation in Villingen-Schwenningen
Discover Moorland and the Neckar
In Villingen-Schwenningen, different natural landscapes meet urban history. The Schwenninger Moos and the adjoining Kugelmoos are almost entirely part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Both belong to the “Baar” FFH area 8016-341, which covers about 2,300 ha. Nine habitat types have been reported for the area, including swamp forests and calcareous fens. If you are interested in moors, you will find a tangible connection here to a protected landscape and its habitats.
Landappbw 1009361 1822 Hölzlekönig Villingen-Schwenningen.jpg
Photo: Dietrich Krieger via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
A 3.5-kilometre circular trail runs through the Schwenninger Moos nature reserve. Information boards along the history and nature trail cover peat extraction and the moor habitat. Along the way, you can explore both the history of land use and the natural environment of the moor. These themes also provide families with topics to discuss: What does peat extraction tell us about past land use, and what characterises a moor habitat? The Schwenninger Moos also offers themed guided tours, which can be booked through the environmental centre.
Another connection with nature begins in Möglingshöhe city park, where the Neckar rises. From there, the river flows 362 kilometres to Mannheim. The Neckar Valley Cycle Route runs along the river and is suitable for the whole family. This makes the cycle route an excursion in its own right, while the Neckar’s long course to Mannheim also puts the river in context. Its source and the cycle route offer different ways to experience the river on an active trip.
Culture in Villingen’s city centre
With 2,500 m² of exhibition space, the Franciscan Museum in Villingen’s city centre is the region’s largest cultural history museum. Its collection spans from prehistory to the present day. The permanent exhibition is divided into three sections: the history of the town from its beginnings to the present, the Black Forest Collection and the Celtic princely grave of Magdalenenberg. This gives you the opportunity to explore a range of historical topics during one museum visit, from the town’s development to the other collection areas. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free.
The Minster of Our Lady in the historic city centre tells another chapter of Villingen’s history. It was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th and 13th centuries, remodelled several times and completed in the Gothic style in 1284. The sequence of styles and alterations brings the minster’s long construction history to life. The “Gates and Towers” guided tour also gives participants a glimpse into historic towers and walls that were previously closed and inaccessible to the public. This experience is particularly suited to visitors interested in Villingen’s historic buildings.
Which experiences should shape your stay?
When choosing a holiday apartment in Villingen-Schwenningen, your preferred interests can help guide your decision. If you want to focus on nature and outdoor activities, the moor’s circular trail and the Neckar Valley Cycle Route offer two different ways to do so. For a stay with more of a cultural history focus, consider the Franciscan Museum’s permanent exhibition, the minster and the “Gates and Towers” tour.
Discover more places: Pfaffenweiler, Brigachtal, Gremmelsbach, Schönwald Im Schwarzwald, Hüfingen, Donaueschingen, Nußbach and Unterkirnach.
Go to the regional travel overview: Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis.
