Discover Schwäbisch Hall through its medieval townscape, performing arts and paths into the surrounding countryside. The Church of St. Michael towers above the historic Market Square; its broad outdoor staircase defines the townscape and becomes a stage in summer. Museums, guided city tours and circular hiking trails offer different ways to shape your stay.
Market Square, the Church of St. Michael and open-air theater
The historic Market Square brings together numerous architectural styles and provides the setting for the Church of St. Michael. Its outdoor staircase is 70 meters wide and has 53 steps. The church was consecrated as a Romanesque basilica on February 10, 1156. Since 1925, the Schwäbisch Hall Open-Air Theater Festival has brought open-air theater to the town; every summer, the historic Great Staircase in front of St. Michael’s becomes a stage for plays, musicals and classics of world literature.
The New Globe has complemented the Open-Air Theater Festival since 2019, with performances throughout the year and a varied program of productions. The venues also differ in their seasons: the Great Staircase is the summer stage, while the New Globe hosts performances year-round. If you would like to plan a performance into your stay, check the dates in advance.
City history and art in a variety of settings
A public guided tour through the historic old town takes you along narrow lanes, across the Unterwöhrd island in the Kocher River and to Haalplatz. Along the way, it brings 2,500 years of history to life. Dates and prices may change, so check them before your visit. The tour explores the town’s history as you walk, while museums and art venues offer a closer look at individual eras and collections.
The Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum is located in the medieval town center and extends across seven historic buildings. Covering more than 3,000 square meters, it presents the history, art and culture of the imperial city and its surrounding area. Exhibits of national significance include the synagogue paneling from Unterlimpurg and Steinbach, painted by Elieser Sussmann in 1738/39, as well as ivory figures by Leonard Kern dating from the Thirty Years’ War.
The Johanniterkirche also combines historic architecture with a museum: this extensively renovated 12th-century church reopened in 2008 as a museum of late medieval and modern art. Visitors can see the “Old Masters” from the Würth Collection and Hans Holbein the Younger’s Madonna of Mercy. The privately owned Kunsthalle Würth, operated by Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, is located on the site of the former Löwenbrauerei brewery in the old town and has presented a varied program there since 2001. Together, these venues offer a range of ways to explore the art and history of the town.
Circular trails, mountain bike trails and panoramic views
For outdoor activity, five of the six signposted circular hiking trails lead directly from the town center into the surrounding countryside. They are suitable for family outings, school classes and hiking groups. For a different way to explore the area, experienced mountain bikers can ride the singletrack trails created by Trails of Hall e. V. The return routes to the trailheads are signposted. These two options differ both in the activity they offer and in the groups they are intended for.
For a viewpoint, head to Einkorn, Schwäbisch Hall’s local mountain. Located on the edge of the Hessental district, it offers panoramic views of the Hohenlohe region. Together with the circular hiking trails and mountain bike trails, it gives you a choice of walks and hikes, mountain biking, or a destination with far-reaching views. To plan your stay, first decide whether you would like to focus on culture, a performance or time in the countryside.
Discover more destinations: Braunsbach, Ilshofen, Michelbach An Der Bilz, Satteldorf, Sulzbach, Bühlerzell, Crailsheim, Stimpfach.
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