Bad Imnau: Spa History and the Eyachtal Circular Trail

Bad Imnau can be explored through two specific themes: the historic Stahlbad Imnau ensemble and the Eyachtal Circular Trail. Together with the Catholic parish church and the Rose Monday parade, they bring architectural history, outdoor activity, and a recurring tradition into focus. When planning your trip, you can give these different highlights the weight that best suits your interests.

Spa History and Buildings in Bad Imnau

The historic Stahlbad Imnau ensemble includes the Fürstenbau, dated 1733, and the Kursaal, built in 1868 to plans by Professor Wilhelm Bäumer. It also includes the Josefshaus, which dates from the 18th century. The Kurpark also dates back to the 18th century in its original layout. Its features include the Casparquell Pavilion, the Lourdes Grotto, a stone crucifix dated 1936 by J. Walz to mark the 200th anniversary of the spa establishment, and street lamps dating from around 1900.

The different dates also make the ensemble interesting as a sequence through time: the Fürstenbau and the original layout of the Kurpark date back to the 18th century, while the Kursaal is from the 19th century. The pavilion, grotto, cross, and lamps provide further specific points of reference for viewing the historic site.

The Catholic Parish Church of St. James in Bad Imnau adds another layer of history. It dates from 1779/83; its nave was extended to the west in 1934. The local buildings thus bring together different construction and extension dates.

Circular Trail, Wading Pool, and Seasonal Tradition

The Eyachtal Circular Trail runs from Haigerloch through Trillfingen and Bad Imnau. Some sections follow the edge of the Eyach valley. An alternative route starts on Quellenstraße in Bad Imnau. After a few hundred meters, you reach a wading pool in the Laibetal. This gives you two different options to consider when planning your walk: a route through several towns or a specific destination in the Laibetal.

A seasonal event is the “Emnauer Omzigle”: since 2015, the parade has made its way through Bad Imnau on Rose Monday. As the date of Rose Monday changes each year in the carnival calendar, check the date for the year of your visit.

The route information for the Eyachtal Railway (line 767) gives the route from Hechingen via Rangendingen into the Eyach valley, then onward via Haigerloch-Stetten, Haigerloch, Haigerloch-Bad Imnau, Mühringen, and Eyach. Operating times and timetables vary by season; check them before you travel. When choosing a holiday apartment, your preferred focus can help guide your decision: spa and architectural history, or sections of the circular trail through Bad Imnau.

More Cultural Highlights in the Wider Haigerloch Travel Destination

The wider travel destination of Haigerloch offers further distinct cultural highlights. The former Haigerloch Synagogue was built in 1783 in the center of the Jewish quarter. The exhibition of the House of History of Baden-Württemberg in the former synagogue traces the vanished Jewish life of the area.

The Atomic Cellar Museum in Haigerloch is located at the site of the world’s first nuclear reactor and in a rock directly beneath the castle church. The pilgrimage church of St. Anna is another Haigerloch cultural site: it is a well-known Baroque-Rococo church, created by Haigerloch master builder Christian Großbayer, with contributions from the young sculptor Johann Georg Weckenmann and court painter Meinrad von Au from Sigmaringen.

The historic walk through Haigerloch is an easy 2.31 km circular route that takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. It leads to 15 historically interesting places. As route information may be updated, it is worth checking the latest details before setting out.

Another way to explore Haigerloch’s cultural history is through art: the Karl Hurm Art Museum presents a cross-section of his work, with more than 300 exhibits; the collection size may change. While there, you can compare and enjoy paintings and landscapes, as well as dreams and reality. Karl Hurm lived and painted for 89 years in Weildorf, a district of Haigerloch. His extensive body of work is deeply rooted in the Haigerloch area and the surrounding Alb landscape.

For the wider travel overview: Haigerloch.