Baden-Württemberg: A Region traditionally known for its Art and Culture.

Internationally renowned theatres, museums and festivals, award-winning plays, guest performances from around the world, special exhibitions, musicals and diverse cultural events throughout this region have earned Baden-Württemberg a well-deserved reputation as a unique cultural attraction far beyond its borders.

We would like to invite you to experience the cultural and holiday paradise of Baden-Württemberg, where you can enjoy at your leisure the full range of historic, modern, traditional and avant-garde attractions on offer in our beautiful region.

Churches and Monasteries - Ora et labora

The famous monasteries and churches of Baden-Württemberg are monuments of the past, cast in stone, which are essential items on any itinerary. World-famous buildings include the cathedrals of Ulm, with the highest tower in the world, and Freiburg, arguably with the most beautiful steeple in Christendom, as well as the World Heritage sites of Maulbronn monastery and the former monastery island of Reichenau in Lake Constance.

The list of sacred buildings is long, with beautiful and impressive churches in every architectural style scattered throughout the state. Many of these churches are themselves important in terms of cultural history or house major works of art. You will find the most beautiful along the East Swabian Baroque Route, founded in 1966, which now has an Eastern and a Western Branch.

Spiritual Patrons and Artists

Sacred architecture continues to impress, for example at the baroque churches of Neresheim, Obermarchtal or Zwiefalten. In Steinhausen near Bad Schussenried, you will find the "most beautiful village church" in the world. But these buildings not only catch the eye from the outside. The magnificent interiors, often painted with loving care right down to the last detail and equipped with precious organs, altars and stained-glass windows, are equally impressive for worshippers and other visitors. In the Hergottskirche in Creglingen, you will find the Marienaltar, carved by famous sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider. Church-builders were intent on demonstrating their faith. People in the Middle Ages used a whole host of signs and symbols to teach and learn the Christian faith. Why not take a guided tour of a church to learn more about the symbolism used? Especially in Freiburg cathedral, the brightly coloured stained-glass windows speak volumes and have some fascinating stories to tell.

A Trip to the Past

Many former monasteries are now historic monuments that provide an impressive backdrop for festivals and concerts or a place where today's highly stressed managers can seek peace through meditation. However, monasteries in the Middle Ages had a key function not only for their order, but also for society as a whole. They were employers, major land-owners, builders and the homes of priests, scholars and scientists. Especially the Cistercians were pioneers in agriculture and the results of their work can still be seen at the Kloster Maulbronn World Heritage site to this day. The monasteries were centres of education, science and culture and their magnificent libraries still contain priceless works of art. Even without books, the baroque library at Bad Schussenried monastery is a cultural and historic jewel. The famous Book of Pericopes of Henry II was created at Reichenau monastery and the Guelph Chronicle at Weingarten. Until 1952, the former monastery of Bebenhausen near Tübingen was home to the state parliament of Württemberg-Hohenzollern. Götz von Berlichingen, the knight with the iron hand made famous by Goethe's play, is buried at Schöntal monastery. Lorch monastery, housing the burial site of the Staufen emperors, is over 900 years old. The chapter hall of the monastery contains a large circular painting showing the changing history of the famous dynasty.

Castles and Palaces

Castles and palaces are not just worth seeing during the summer months where they set the stage for romantic experiences. During the other seasons as well, these witnesses of a time long since gone beckon invitingly to meetings and celebrations. All of them bear witness to a glorious past, characterized by a talent for living life to the fullest.

If we are to believe the stories, life at court once upon a time was much more colourful than we imagine today. They say that there was a Countess in Ludwigsburg who received her guests only clad in a dressing gown. The biggest wine barrel in the world may be seen outside of Heidelberg castle. Its former guardian was a court jester, a dwarf. He died, having mistakenly swallowed a mouthful of water instead of wine.

However, times were not always happy and easygoing and wars contributed to the ruin of many castles. The kings and princes in the land tried to outdo each other in rebuilding them in their entire splendour and today we are grateful to them for doing it. More than 1,000 castles and palaces are waiting to be discovered by you - some are even open as places to stay overnight, get married in or just to celebrate in.