Renchen can be explored through two readily accessible themes: Grimmelshausen’s literary legacy and routes with different itineraries. The Simplicissimus House and the local history exhibition offer distinct highlights; beyond the exhibitions, routes lead from Renchen to its districts or through the Renchniederungen lowlands. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay more on local history or on one of the routes.
Grimmelshausen and Renchen’s Local History
The Simplicissimus House next to the town hall is a museum dedicated to the reception history of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen. It is open to visitors; audio guides are available on request. Check the current visitor information before travelling if you plan to visit the museum.
The Renchen local history exhibition offers a second perspective, featuring archaeological finds, original objects, models and works of art. Together, the exhibitions take visitors from Grimmelshausen’s work and its reception to the town’s history. The Mummelseebrunnen fountain artistically references the Mummelsee theme in Grimmelshausen’s “The Adventurous Simplicissimus Teutsch”, adding another connection to his work in Renchen.
The Grimmelshausen Memorial has a history of its own: the stone was originally intended as a memorial to the rebels shot during the Revolution of 1848–49. It was brought to Renchen, reworked as a Grimmelshausen memorial and unveiled in 1879.
Routes Around Renchen
There are three routes of approximately nine kilometres to choose from for outdoor excursions; they differ mainly in their itineraries and starting points. The 8.7 km route connects Renchen with the districts of Ulm and Erlach and runs almost entirely along cycle paths. It is suitable for a short bike ride as well as a hike.
The 9.3 km Mauritius Legends Circular Route starts at the Mergelgrube, passes through Renchen, Ulm and Erlach, and returns to the Mergelgrube. The Renchen nature trail is an approximately 9 km circular route that starts at the railway station and leads through the Renchniederungen lowlands. Signs bearing a stork symbol mark the route.
The three distances are close: 8.7 km, 9.3 km and around 9 km for the nature trail. The route is therefore particularly useful when choosing: one connects Renchen, Ulm and Erlach; one is a circular route starting at the Mergelgrube; and one is the nature trail starting at the railway station. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
Summer Programme and Regional Setting
During the summer months, local associations put on a varied cultural and festival programme in Renchen’s historic town park. Individual events vary. If you want to plan your visit around a particular event, check the specific dates before travelling.
At the level of the wider destination, Ortenaukreis, the broader geographical setting lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. Ortenaukreis has 23 nature reserves covering a total of around 3,110 hectares; they extend from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This regional context complements Renchen’s specific cultural attractions and routes with a view of the wider landscape.
Discover more destinations: Meißenheim, Ottenhöfen in the Black Forest, Achern, Ettenheim, Willstätt, Kappel-Grafenhausen, Oppenau, Schwanau.
Back to the main travel overview: Ortenaukreis.
