Bempflingen offers many traces of its local history: medieval buildings, half-timbered houses and church art. If you are looking for a cultural focus for your stay, you can consider the age of the buildings, their former uses and the artistic works separately. Rail and B-312 connections provide access towards Stuttgart, Reutlingen and the Swabian Alb.
Local History from the First Mention to Half-Timbered Houses
The first recorded mention of the name Bempflingen appears in the Treaty of Bempflingen of 1090. The dates associated with the historic Bempflingen Mill mark different events: it was first mentioned in 1391 and rebuilt in 1659. The Old Town Hall is a half-timbered building from the 17th century, first mentioned in 1621. The Schlössle is a two-storey half-timbered building dating from 1697, built on late medieval stone foundations.
These dates refer to different things: a first mention of the name, first mentions, a rebuilding and the year the Schlössle was built. To put them into context, it is worth not treating them as equivalent. This makes it possible to compare individual traces of local history without assigning them all to a single period.
Churches: Early Dating and Modern Art
The lower section of the tower of the Protestant St. Stephen’s Church is dated to 1299. The Catholic Church of St. Peter was built in 1960/62 in a modern style. Its stained-glass windows are by Wilhelm Geyer; the tabernacle and cross are works by Sieger Köder.
The date for St. Stephen’s Church refers to the lower section of the tower. At St. Peter’s, in addition to the construction period, visitors can also see artworks attributed to named artists. Anyone interested in architectural history can compare an early dated building element with modern church architecture and specific works of art.
Wine Press, Mill and Erms Canal
The wine press was built in the 18th century as a half-timbered structure in Baroque forms and later used as a cider press. The main building of the Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel cotton spinning and weaving mill was built in 1854/55. Together, these examples trace a path from half-timbered architecture and use as a wine press to textile production.
The medieval Erms Canal also runs through Bempflingen. It branches off from the Erms downstream of Riederich and rejoins the river downstream of the Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel site. Its course adds a distinctive landscape feature to the history of the area’s buildings and uses.
Guided Tour and Cycling Route
A historical guided tour provides information about individual stops; you can download a route leaflet. Another way to include Bempflingen in your travel plans is the Bempflingen–Rohr cycling route. It runs through the Neckar, Aich and Siebenmühlen valleys and is connected to the Museum Cycling Route. The guided tour and the cycling route offer different focuses: local-history stops on the one hand, and a tour through several valleys on the other.
If you plan to take the cycling route, check the latest route details before setting off. This allows you to plan according to the route description currently in effect. When choosing a hotel, you can first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on local history, cycling or regional connections.
Getting There and Transport History
Bempflingen’s historic railway station was built in 1857/58 in the Neo-Renaissance style. The railway line connecting Plochingen, Metzingen and Reutlingen opened in 1859. Today, Bempflingen has rail and B-312 connections towards Stuttgart, Reutlingen and the Swabian Alb.
An up-to-date timetable of departures from Bempflingen station is available; check the details before travelling. This gives you both a practical point of reference for planning and further insight into the town’s transport history.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Neuffen, Frickenhausen, Wernau, Weilheim An Der Teck, Lenningen, Neuhausen Auf Den Fildern, Denkendorf, Erkenbrechtsweiler.
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