From the river Neckar to the Black Forest and Lake Constance ? 23 interesting framework towns

 

 

 

The new roadmap of the southern German 'Framework Route' was introduced on the CMT ' Herrenberg takes part!

 

The roadmap of the Framework Route presents  23 towns with the respective contacts and short introduction texts. This informative map allows well directed trips to towns with half-timbered architecture. A helpful guide for everybody. The new map and further information about the 'Southern German Framework Route' can be obtained at:

Stadt Herrenberg, Touristeninformation, Marktplatz 5, 71083 Herrenberg; phone: (07032) 924-224 or 924-320; Fax: (07032) 924-365; e-mail: stadt@no-spam-pleaseherrenberg.de .

 

 

 

 

It has been for 15 years now that the Southern German Framework Road exists. It is the most southern part of the German Framework Road. In 1990 the first section was opened from the Weserbergland to the Vogelsberg. Today the  length of the route is  about 3000 km and more than 100 framework towns have joined. The Framework Road is devided into nine regional routes which lead you through six federal states. Based on the fulfillment of certain criteria a membership in the Framwork Road is possible.

The regional route of Southern Germany with a length of 560km has its point of origin in Mosbach/Neckar up to Haslach in the Kinzigtal, the Black Forest and to Meersburg on Lake Constance. 23 towns with half-timbered architecture are located along this regional route. It is the latest part of the German Framework Road, which startet originally with 17 towns. During the past years six towns and the route to Lake Constance joined the Framework Road.

 

 

On the CMT (fair: caravanning, motoring, tourism) Stuttgart, the road map of the Southern German Framework Route was introduced. The roadmap presents  23 towns with all relevant contacts and short introduction texts. This informative map allows well directed trips to the towns with half-timbered architecture. A helpful guide for everybody.

The characteristic style of the half-timbered constructions in the South and Upper German region results out of the complete documentation of the different styles. Just how multi-faceted South German Framework is follows from the long period of the 14th century, the Gothic  as well as the Renaissance to the 18th century, the Baroque Periode. The influence of the Franconian and Alemannic style of framework is still present today. These framework buildings are a distinctivie tourism attractions.

A number of cultural events, such as historical markets and festivals, along the Southern German Framework Road, invite you to join these special attractions from the Neckar to the Black Forest and Lake Constance. Special attractions within these medieval and historic half-timbered towns are provided during the Christmas Market, the Carnival Market or any procession ceremony. Just stroll along the alleys of the towns and sense the spirit of bygone days.

Today it is the task of the towns to draw attention to the aims, objectives and progress of urban planning but also to retain the historical parts of the towns.

 
From Mosbach to Schorndorf...

The 23 towns of the Southern German Framework Road 'from the River Neckar to the Black Forest and Lake Constance' lie in a picturesque landscape of Baden Wuerttemberg. The valleys of the rivers Neckar and Enz, the Swabian Albs, the Black Forest and Lake Constance count to the most beautiful landscapes of the land.

 

Within the Framework Route 'from the River Neckar to the Black Forest and Lake Constance' the town Mosbach is the most nothern point to start. Along the main road through Mosbach you can find a real 'half-timbered' paradise. The historical building 'Palm'sches Haus' is famous for being one of the most beautiful half-timbered constructions in Baden Wuerttemberg. Some more attractions in the car-free Old Town are: the historical Town Hall and the Collegiate Church which was constructed in the 14th century.

 

Around the 'Pfeifferturm' ' the oldest architectural monument ' of the town Eppingen, you find a number of magnificent half-timbered buildings mostly consisting of the 'Alemannic' and 'Franconian' type of framework in the St. Petersgasse, the Metzgergasse and the archway of the ancient town, where the town celebration takes place on regular terms.

 

Besigheim with its impressive half-timbered houses, the towers and the half-timbered town hall and town church. At first the town hall was constructed with the idea to build a big store. It was built in the 15th century. The first written references of the famous 'Lindenholzaltar' (altar) occur in 850. Every second year the 'Besigheimer Winzerfest' is celebrated.

 

Biberach an der Riß is respresented in a traditional and cosmopolitan way. The townscape is effected by the impressive tower of the Gothic Church 'St. Martin' and old parts of the medieval fortification.The magnificent patrician houses around the market place are significent for this place to be one of the most beautiful marketplaces in the south of Germany. The historical 'Kinder- und Heimatfest' makes it worth to visit this amiable town.

 

The buildings of the town Bietigheim-Bissingen represent an impressive charakter of historical but also contemporary architecture with an almost completely consisting medieval old town. In Bietigheim-Bissingen you'll find magnificent half-timbered buildings beside modern art and architecture.

 

Vaihingen an der Enz proudly wears the title of being the 'International Town of Vine'. The vineyard 'Schloss Kaltenstein' stands as a landmark of this region. Despite a terrible fire in the 17th century, the remaining buildings provide impressive examples of the medival old town.

 

A special attraction in Markgröningen, the former free imperial town, is the so called 'Shepherd's Race' (Schäferlauf), which takes place every year. The first written references occur in 1445.

 

The 'Schiller town' Marbach offers an impressive range of historical buildings. The entire old town has been under monumental protection sind 1983.

 

Waiblingen, a 'young town with ancient walls' offers a lot; e.g.: medieval town fortifications opened to the public; a range of half-timbered houses renovated in a historic or modern style; the painted square-stone house; the 'Envy Heads'; the Beinstein gateway tower; St. Nikolaus Church (1269); St. Micheals Church (15th century); the little two-story Nun's Church (1496/1510) and the remnants of a Roman cellar; Walking and cycling tours along the river Rems and interesting city guided tours are offered to the visitors.

 
...from Schorndorf via Herrenberg to Haslach im Kinzigtal

Esslingen am Neckar the former free imperial city offers a well preserved city centre with medieval flair. A walk through the town leads to the oldest row of half-timbered houses in Germany. A stroll through Esslingen on the river Neckar (by canoe) shows the diversity of this charming town. A various cultural programme is provided to visitors. E.g.: the 'Wuerttembergische Landesbuehne' (theatre), Municipal Gallery Villa Merkel & 'Bahnwärterhaus', Gallery of the Artist's Guild or the City Museum in the 'Yellow House'. In any case it is worth to visit the 'DICK' a leisure and activity centre in historical surroundings.

 

Every second year an attraction takes place in Kirchheim unter Teck: the international 'Oldtimer-Fliegertreffen' (historical aircraft). A medieval old town with winding alleys, half-timbered buildings and the half-timbered town hall with the 'Mondphasenuhr' form the historical background for the 'Gallus- and Märzenmarkt'.

 

Herrenberg, the Gaeu metropolis, notable for its unique historical old town and the 700 year old foundation church, which has become a landmark of the Gaeu region.The 'Half-Timbered House Path' provides in 23 steps examples of the whole range of half-timbered architecture in Herrenberg from the 15th to the 19th century. A charming town with medieval flair at the edge of the Naturepark Schoenbuch.

 

More than 200 buildings of the 17th century are under monumental protection in the Hermann-Hesse town Calw. The ancient townplan records back to the 13th and 14th century. After several terrible fires the town was rebuilt on the original foundation walls and basements. In this 'most beautiful town' as Herrmann Hesse used to say, it is worth to visit the Hermann-Hesse Museum and to enjoy a guided city tour.

 

The Old Castle towers above the half-timbered houses of Altensteig. The former residence of the Earl of Wuerttemberg-Urach.

 

Bad Urach is notable for its magnificent half-timbered houses around the market place with gothic fontains. It is worth to visit the castle and the late gothic foundation church St. Amadeus with the 'Mönchshof' and the 'Webervorstadt'. Beside its historical part Bad Urach offers various leisure activities. In 2005 it was for the 137th time that the traditional 'Schäferlauf' took place.

 

Dornstetten in the Black Forest offers a various cultural programme all over the year. The medieval market place with fountains and pictoresque half-timbered houses invites for a visit.

 

Schildach im Kinzigtal ' well known as the town of tanners and rafters. The car-free innercity with half-timbered houses invites to stroll around. The unique 'Apothekermuseum' (pharmacy museum) is one of four museums in Schildach.

 

The first colonization of Haslach im Kinzigtal was a roman street colonization. In the 17th century Haslach emerged and became a trading town. Winding alleys, wide market streets and market places, surrounded by half-timbered constructions ' all this reminds to the past. Since 1978 the historical part of the town has been under monumental protection. In Haslach you can visit the 'Hansjakob Museum'.

 

'the river 'Donau', the Swabian Albs and Lake Constance

 

Blaubeuren lies at the edge of the Swabian Albs in the pre-valley of the river Donau. The monastery Blaubeuren with its famous high altar was founded in 1085. The town became famous with the 'Blaukopf' ' the most beautiful and biggest karst spring in Germany. The medieval townscape with numerous half-timbered buildings invites to stroll around. The prehistory caves count to the most important archeological detections in Europe. Visitors are invited to experience a touch of the boulder period and modern art in the gallery.

 

The historical town Meersburg lies at the edge of Lake Constance. The poetess Annette von Droste-Hülshoff used to stay in this charming town with its magnificent alleys, places and castles. Meersburg offers a wide range of leisure activities. The picture-book-town with eight museums and impressive half-timbered buildings in the Steigstraße, is the highlight of the Framework Road Baden Wuerttemberg.

 

Almost the whole historical old town of Riedlingen is under monumental protection. Visitors are invited to walk through the pedestrian area along the medieval town wall, numerous towers, gates and the idyllic Donau barrage. The gothic church St. Georg, the town hall with stairs and the half-timbered houses enrich the townscape. Riedlingen has always been a centre of commercial life, therefore the 'Riedlinger Flohmarkt' (flea market), the 'Gallusmarkt' and the 'Fohlenmarkt' (foal market) take place on regular terms.