Weil der Stadt can be explored through the birthplace of Kepler and the town’s history, as well as along the Planet Trail in the northern Würm Valley. These offer different options for planning your stay: the trail covers 10.1 kilometres and takes about 2¾ hours of walking time; the museums and Old Town have their own points of interest. This lets you plan your cultural visit separately from a longer walk, rather than confusing walking time with the duration of the entire outing.
Kepler and the Planet Trail
The Kepler Museum is located in the birthplace of astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571–1630). Some of his major works are on display, mostly in original editions. Modern presentation techniques, computer simulations and video screenings explain scientific fundamentals. Historical works and explanatory media are thus presented side by side: the original editions draw attention to Kepler’s writings, while simulations and films explain scientific concepts. If you are interested in Kepler, you can explore both his works and the presentation of scientific fundamentals here.
The Kepler Society laid out the Planet Trail in spring 2012, together with the town of Weil der Stadt, along a scenic hiking route in the northern Würm Valley. The panels about the Sun and the rocky planets closest to it—Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars—are within the town limits of Weil der Stadt; further panels extend into town districts and a neighbouring municipality. The route is 10.1 kilometres long, with a walking time of about 2¾ hours. Its Neptune endpoint is in neighbouring Tiefenbronn. The distance and walking time are useful details for planning your day; breaks and other activities add to the time required. The Planet Trail can also be explored by bicycle. The stated time refers to walking.
Old Town and town history
In the historic Old Town, narrow lanes and attractive half-timbered houses cluster around the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul. The Town Museum, housed in the former Schützhaus on the market square, presents the town’s history as an immersive chronicle spread over 15 rooms on three floors. The ground floor focuses on the political history of the Imperial City of Weil, from the Middle Ages to the end of its immediate imperial status in 1802. The museum therefore offers a distinct way to explore the town’s history, complementing a look at its lanes and half-timbered houses. The exhibition combines a walk through several floors with a clearly defined historical subject.
Fasnet and puppets
Visitors can also experience Weil der Stadt’s long-standing Fasnet tradition. The Carnival Museum explains why the town has been known as a stronghold of carnival since the 17th century and how Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet became interwoven there with Rhenish-Franconian carnival. Life-size figures illustrate the different groups in Weil’s Fasnet. More than sixty hand puppets from the Hohnstein Puppet Theatre are also on display at Meisterin Eva’s Puppet Room. The figures and puppet collection offer different insights into the local Fasnet tradition and puppet theatre.
The “Weiler Clowns” carnival guild regularly performs plays written by Rudolf Karl himself at Meisterin Eva’s Puppet Room. These performances are a separate activity from the exhibition. Check the current programme before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Hausen an der Würm, Schafhausen, Leonberg, Holzgerlingen, Gärtringen, Merklingen, Ehningen, Schönaich.
For the main travel overview: Böblingen.
