Nussdorf Castle stands on medieval foundations; its ensemble also includes a gate bearing the year 1879. Together with Heiligkreuzkirche, art at KUNSTWERK Sammlung Klein and the Lichthölzle natural area, they offer different reasons to visit: architectural history, art, trails and nature.
Church and Castle: Different Periods in History
Heiligkreuzkirche is a former cemetery and pilgrimage church and is now a parish church. Master Peter of Koblenz built the Late Gothic structure in 1482. The church contains tombs of the von Reischach family, as well as extensive wall and ceiling paintings depicting the Passion of Christ and the Last Judgment. The choir and its vault paintings survived the fire of 1945 undamaged; the church was restored around 1950. Its construction, paintings and the history of the choir offer different insights into the town’s history.
Nussdorf Castle also tells the story of several building phases: it was originally built in the 15th century and extensively remodeled in 1879. The castle features architectural forms from the German Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods. The ensemble includes a castle park with rubble-stone perimeter walls and a gate marked with the year 1879. The date on the gate and the castle’s remodeling in the same year are two specific details of its history.
Art at the Museum and on ART LOOP
KUNSTWERK Sammlung Klein holds exhibitions twice a year and has a collection of almost 2,000 works. Stefan Rohrer’s sculpture “The Fast and the Furious” stands directly in front of the museum. KUNSTWERK is also part of the ART LOOP sculpture cycle route. Here, an exhibition venue and an art installation in a public space come together. If you’re planning to visit the exhibitions, check the latest dates in advance.
The 35-kilometer ART LOOP runs from Schwieberdingen station via Hemmingen to the Eberdingen districts of Nussdorf and Hochdorf and back. The route connects Nussdorf to a longer circular trail, with KUNSTWERK among its featured stops. Before setting out on a bike ride, check the current route and conditions.
Walking Trails and Protected Nature
The brochure “Discover Your Homeland on Foot” describes walking trails around Nussdorf. Nussdorf Town Hall and Nussdorf sports ground are listed as starting points for circular routes. This information can help you choose a trail; as routes and conditions may be updated, it’s worth checking for the latest information before setting out.
Lichthölzle near Nussdorf is of statewide importance in the General Wildlife Corridor Plan. It is home to unusually large colonies of mound-building wood ants. Their nests are strictly protected and should be left undisturbed. This adds a distinctive nature conservation aspect to the town’s cultural attractions, without implying that there is a particular walking route through the area.
More to Explore in the Wider Eberdingen Destination
The wider Eberdingen destination offers more cultural and landscape highlights. In Hochdorf am Biegel is a reconstructed Hallstatt-period princely burial mound, 60 meters in diameter and 6 meters high. The Hochdorf/Enz Celtic Museum offers four hands-on activity stations. Visitors can try on Celtic clothing, work in the goldsmith’s workshop, make flour by hand and assemble a vessel from shards in the ceramics workshop. Check the latest operating details for the hands-on activities before your visit.
The wider trails can also be considered at this level: Eberdingen lies on the long-distance Gäu.Rand.Weg hiking trail, along the eastern edge of the Heckengäu. ART LOOP passes through the Eberdingen districts of Nussdorf and Hochdorf. The two routes therefore differ in their focus: Gäu.Rand.Weg is a long-distance hiking trail, while ART LOOP is a 35-kilometer cycling and art loop. Check the latest trail conditions before setting out.
For the wider travel overview: Eberdingen.
