Backnang combines distinctive historic architecture with museums, art and paths through orchards and woodland landscapes. This gives you different options when planning your trip: you can focus on the historic buildings and collections or plan longer cycling and hiking tours. Seasonal opening hours and events are also worth considering—check the latest dates before planning your visit around them.
Backnang’s history and art
The town tower became a landmark of Backnang after Schickhardt had the tower of the former Michaelskirche raised in 1614. The Historic Town Hall also tells the story of several construction phases: it was built from 1599 to 1601, destroyed in the town fire of 1693, and rebuilt as a half-timbered building in 1716/17 to plans by Johann Ulrich Heim, the WĂĽrttemberg state master builder. These dates place the buildings within a longer history of the town, rather than reducing their origins to a single period.
The Helferhaus is a cultural monument first mentioned in 1583. Today it hosts talks, including the “Altstadtstammtisch,” and exhibitions. A fitting route through the old town is the “Weg der Besinnung” sculpture trail: it was created at Ölberg in 1987, has been continually extended since then, and invites visitors to pause and reflect. It runs from Postgasse along Ölberg Street to the Helferhaus behind the town tower.
For contemporary art, the Backnang Municipal Gallery offers 450 m² of exhibition space in the historic Turmschulhaus in the center of the old town. It presents four exhibitions each year; this frequency may change. Another focus is the Graphic Art Cabinet, which is part of the Helferhaus. Since 2002, it has presented changing selections from the Ernst Riecker Foundation. Its collection includes around 1,600 prints from the 15th to the 19th century. The Graphic Art Cabinet’s collection also includes 75 prints by Albrecht Dürer.
Technology and collections
The Backnang Technology Forum serves several purposes: it is a museum, technology archive, event venue and technology workshop for children and young people. In the workshop, young participants learn to use tools and materials under the guidance of dedicated instructors. As workshop offerings may change, it is worth checking the program if you would like to include a visit.
The Scheuerle Museum is located in Backnang’s Waldrems district. Exhibits include agricultural tools and machinery, a complete shoemaker’s workshop, a farmhouse kitchen, and a farmhouse living room and bedroom. The Museum of the German Hungarians is considered the largest museum of its kind in Germany. From May to October, it is open on the first and third Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m., as well as by appointment. Check the opening hours before your visit.
Cycling and hiking routes between town and countryside
The s'Ă„pple landscape trail is an 83.6-kilometer cycling and circular hiking route. It passes through the Backnang Basin, the so-called Swabian Cider Quarter, and is characterized by orchards and the adjacent woodland of the Swabian Forest. Highlights along the route include the Buchenbachtal nature reserve, with its waterfalls and numerous historic sunken lanes. The same route thus offers orchards, woodland and distinctive landscape features alongside different options for planning your tour stages.
As a hike, s'Ă„pple can be done in several stages, with various places to start and finish. The route can, for example, start at Backnang S-Bahn station; check public transport connections before setting out, as details may change. More generally, Backnang offers cycling and hiking tours through orchards, river landscapes and idyllic villages. The cycling and hiking routes are well signposted and developed. Infrastructure conditions can change, so it is sensible to check the latest information before setting out.
Another way to enjoy nature is the Plattenwald local recreation area, located in the north of Backnang at the entrance to the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park. Along with the varied tours, this area offers a different perspective from the cultural and historical attractions in town; you can include the landscapes and routes mentioned here in your travel plans according to your interests.
Autumn events and meeting places
The Backnang Goose Market takes place every year in autumn and draws on a tradition dating back to the 17th century. Dates and the program may change, so check the latest information if the market is a reason for your trip. The wine village on Adenauer Platz is a lively meeting place for locals and visitors of all ages. Its program and dates may also change.
Whether you are more interested in architecture, art, technology, collections or the landscape, Backnang offers specific and varied ways to explore each of these themes. Choose your hotel and plan the length of your trip around the places you want to visit, paying particular attention to seasonal museum hours and changing exhibition and event programs.
Discover more destinations: Waiblingen, Sulzbach, Aspach, Weinstadt, Berglen, Murrhardt, Kernen im Remstal, Allmersbach im Tal.
Return to the regional travel overview: Rems-Murr District.
