In Schorndorf, protected half-timbered architecture, local history and public art come together with a variety of hiking opportunities. The entire historic old town, with its picturesque half-timbered houses and market square ensemble, is protected as a historic monument. Schorndorf is also part of the German Half-Timbered House Route. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose to focus on local history and museums, contemporary art or trails through the countryside.
Half-Timbered Houses and Local History
The Schorndorf City Museum is housed in two historic half-timbered buildings and has more than 900 square metres of exhibition space. Its collection includes archaeological finds, objects from the modern era, and materials relating to regional everyday and cultural history. The exhibition on the history of settlement spans the Stone Age, Roman finds and the Middle Ages. The museum therefore offers insights into different eras as well as aspects of everyday life in the region.
Gottlieb Daimler’s birthplace offers another way to explore the town’s history. Daimler-Benz acquired and restored the house in 1979; today it serves as a museum and conference venue for Daimler AG. Objects on display include Daimler’s journeyman’s piece, animal drawings and personal belongings. Schorndorf Castle was built in 1538 as part of the Württemberg state fortress, on the site of what was probably an older moated castle. Remains of the former bastion can be seen in the castle park.
Art and Historic Green Spaces
More than 40 sculptures, mostly by contemporary artists, can be found in Schorndorf’s public spaces. The Q Galerie für Kunst Schorndorf also focuses on contemporary art: it presents six exhibitions each year and has become an important fixture in the greater Stuttgart area. Together with the half-timbered architecture, these offer a range of ways to enjoy a stay that brings historical and contemporary art side by side.
The Old Cemetery has been preserved as a park with an exceptional variety of trees and is freely accessible around the clock. It is home to a small chapel in the Neo-Gothic half-timbered style, designed by Gottlieb Maier in 1879. A very different kind of memorial is the monument by artist Reinhard Scherer, which has commemorated those persecuted and killed by fascism since 1989. A visit to the Old Cemetery therefore offers both a park and tangible evidence of the town’s architectural and commemorative history.
Hiking Trails and Viewpoints
The Anniversary Trail connects the nine districts of the major district town with the town centre. It is about 45 kilometres long in total and crosses scenic hilltops, passes through the Rems Valley’s orchards, and follows the largely wooded slopes of the Schurwald and Berglen ranges. For comparison, the lengths of its first two stages are also available: the first passes through Schorndorf’s town centre and Schornbach and is about 14 kilometres long. The second runs through Schornbach, Buhlbronn, Miedelsbach and Haubersbronn and covers about 20.5 kilometres.
Another option is the “SD4 – Himmelsweg” circular hiking trail. It passes through meadows and woods, by giant sequoias and up to the Grafenberg viewpoint near Schorndorf. Grafenberg is set among vineyards and cherry orchards; from here, views stretch across Schorndorf and the surrounding area. The routes differ both in their course and in the distances explicitly given: the Anniversary Trail offers a longer connection with named stages, while the Himmelsweg is a circular trail leading to Grafenberg.
Interactive Activities, Guided Tours and Wine
The Forscherparcours at the Schorndorf Research Factory is for children and adults, with themed areas featuring numerous interactive stations. The city museum also offers the family-friendly interactive exhibition “Mammoths, Romans, Celts & Co.” If you would like to plan your visit around these activities, check the programme details before your trip.
The open city tours are for individuals and small groups, and their themes change weekly. Check in advance for a suitable date. Wine hikes with a wine tasting or a glass of sparkling wine are also offered in Schorndorf. Check the details of each offer again before your trip. The S-Bahn line S2 or the regional express are listed as options for travelling to the city museum from Stuttgart; it is a five-minute walk from the station. Check these connections and the walking time before setting off, too.
Discover more destinations: Waiblingen, Ebni, Backnang, Urbach, Oppenweiler, Weinstadt, Allmersbach im Tal, Aspach.
Return to the overarching travel guide: Rems-Murr District.
