Gomaringen: Castle History and Trails in the Wiesaz Valley

Castle History and Gustav Schwab

Gomaringen Castle houses the Castle and Gustav Schwab Museum. Members of the Gomaringen History and Antiquities Association (Geschichts- und Altertumsverein Gomaringen e.V.) have run it since 1998. The exhibition rooms are in the oldest part of the castle, which dates back to the 14th century. The building is also connected with Gustav Schwab’s time in Gomaringen: he lived and worked in the castle during this period and served as a pastor and spiritual counsellor in Gomaringen from 1837 to 1841. The castle continued to be used as a rectory until 1993.

A permanent exhibition presents many details about life and work in Gomaringen in the 18th and 19th centuries. The exhibition “Everyday Life in Gomaringen in the 18th and 19th Centuries” offers insights into the working lives of Gomaringen’s residents, and guided tours of the exhibition are available. Historical castle tours explore the history of the castle and its lords. So, as you learn about Gustav Schwab, you can also get a glimpse of life in the town in earlier times.

The Gustav Schwab exhibition also features a map of Württemberg showing his walks, which visitors can explore. Using a touchscreen, visitors can access travel accounts, verses and historical images relating to the places he visited. This brings literary history to life: alongside the texts, the focus is on Schwab’s routes and the related illustrations.

Forest Trails and Outdoor Discoveries

For those who prefer the outdoors, the Forest and Viewpoint Loop is a well-described route: just over 5 km long, clearly signposted throughout, and running mainly through shady woodland. A winding path follows the meandering Erdmannsbach stream. The route has a moderate elevation difference of 130 m. Suggested starting points are the car park at the Buchbach recreation area and the Kohlgrube car park. The distance, elevation difference and signposted route provide useful details when planning this loop as part of your day.

There are also six themed circular trails. For cyclists, Gomaringen is a stop on Literary Cycle Route No. 6: the circular route is about 50 km long and runs from Tübingen via Reutlingen and Pfullingen to Gomaringen, then back to Tübingen. The approximate total distance and the places named give you an idea of the route; Gomaringen is one stop along it, not the endpoint.

Discover History Together

Primary school children in grades 2 to 4 can take part in the “Village Rally for History Detectives.” In search of traces of the past, it leads them through Gomaringen and includes activities, riddles, secret codes and hidden signs. Families who enjoy combining culture with an active discovery experience will find an activity designed for these age groups. A stream walk is also part of the museum education programme: remnants of former mills are used to explain how the Wiesaz was put to use, including old mills, mill channels and the beginnings of electricity generation.

If the castle and local history are important to your stay, you can consider Gomaringen as a destination when looking for a holiday apartment. For a trip focused more on nature and tours, the Forest and Viewpoint Loop, themed circular trails and Literary Cycle Route offer different ways to explore the area. Nearby, there are also local recreation areas with orchards, forests and the Albtrauf escarpment. Discover other places: Kusterdingen, Tübingen, Stetten Am Kalten Markt, Weingarten, Nehren, Hirrlingen, Starzach, Bühl.

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