Sulzburg’s history can be seen in a variety of places and themes: at St. Cyriak, at the preserved Lower Gate and in traces of early mining. The local range of tours also includes wine walks through the vineyards and steep climbs on the Black Forest slopes. This lets you plan your stay around whichever aspect interests you most—church and town history, mining or tours through the countryside.
St. Cyriak: A church built over several centuries
St. Cyriak was first mentioned in a document in 993 and is considered one of Germany’s oldest churches. The tower was built at the beginning of the 11th century and is the oldest surviving tower in southwestern Germany. A wooden ceiling dated 1510, with an inscription naming the artist, adds another precise date to the building’s history. These three details point to different historical milestones, from the first documentary mention to the tower and a later feature of the church’s furnishings.
Since 2019, St. Cyriak has also been an official pilgrimage church. This designation connects its long architectural history with a more recent ecclesiastical status. When planning your visit, it helps to distinguish between the two: the mention in 993 and the dates of individual building elements describe the church’s history; its status as a pilgrimage church dates from 2019.
Town Center and Early Mining History
Sulzburg’s town fortifications originally included three gates. The Lower Gate survives as the western boundary of the town center. The structure dates from the 13th century. Its round-arched passageway and mansard roof are distinctive architectural features to look for when viewing the preserved gate.
Another historical period reaches far further back than these buildings: evidence of hematite mining in the Sulzbach Valley around 5500 BC is cited as the basis for describing Sulzburg as Germany’s oldest mining town. The approximate date and its connection to mining go hand in hand. The Baden-Württemberg State Mining Museum was housed in a former Protestant parish church; the building is considered an important testament to Sulzburg’s town and church history.
City Walk, Vineyards and Black Forest Slopes
The historic city walk features a total of ten information boards on historic buildings in Sulzburg and Laufen. The buildings can be visited on a city walk. This offers a route with several historical stops as well as individual buildings to explore.
The local range of tours includes wine walks through the vineyards and steep climbs on the Black Forest slopes. They differ both in theme and terrain: one takes you through the vineyards, while the other leads over steep slopes. When choosing a tour, consider which of these two perspectives you would like to shape your outing. The historic walk offers a different focus, directing your attention to historic buildings.
Weekly Market and “Luftkurort” Designation
A weekly market with a variety of regional products has been held every Friday in Sulzburg’s market square for more than 15 years. If you want the market to be a set part of your plans, check the current date in advance.
Sulzburg has held the “Luftkurort” (therapeutic spa resort) designation since 1971, and it is verified through regular measurements. A year-long measurement in 2018/2019 found that the requirements for air quality and bioclimatic conditions continued to be met without restrictions. The designation and this measurement result relate to different periods: the designation dates from 1971, while the measurement covers 2018/2019.
Discover more destinations: Breisach am Rhein, March, Ballrechten-Dottingen, Dittishausen, Ihringen am Kaiserstuhl, Eichstetten am Kaiserstuhl, Merzhausen, Oberglottertal
Back to the regional travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.
