Bühl between Chapel, Castle and Stream
Bühl lies in the Neckar Valley, opposite Wurmlinger Chapel, about six kilometres southwest of Tübingen and about four kilometres east of Rottenburg. There are circular hiking trails around the chapel, the Wurmlinger Chapel nature trail and a wine trail. The present-day chapel was built as a hall church in 1680; its Romanesque crypt dates from the early 12th century. It is a nearby landmark, while Bühl Castle, St. Pankratius and the Bühlertal stream are attractions right in the village.
Architecture and Art in Bühl
Bühl Castle is a Renaissance castle built by David von Stein in 1554. The octagonal tower with its onion dome from the former church building has been preserved at St. Pankratius; Peter Lang built it in 1599. St. Pankratius also houses a valuable Late Gothic Madonna and Child from Ulm, dated to around 1510 to 1520. The castle, tower and Madonna each point to different periods in architectural and art history. Concerts are regularly held under the title “Music at St. Pankratius”. If you plan to attend a concert, check the current dates in advance.
Carnival and Nature Along the Bühlertal Stream
Every year during carnival season, the traditional Narrensprung procession goes from the old bridge, the “steinere Brückle”, into the Bühlertal stream. Four Bühler Drotzer each carry a symbol representing one of the four seasons. The clear, clean Bühlertal stream is still home to its original fauna, including brown trout, bullhead and the now extremely rare European brook lamprey. In Bühl, an annual tradition and a waterway with remarkable biodiversity come together in distinct ways.
Getting There and Choosing a Location
Bühl is served by Tübingen’s urban transport network and also has very good bus connections to Rottenburg. If you are looking for accommodation in Bühl, consider when planning whether you are more likely to travel to Tübingen or Rottenburg. For specific travel dates, it is worth checking the current timetables, as bus services may change.
More Attractions in the Wider Tübingen Destination
The wider destination of Tübingen also offers museums and attractions in the old town. The Museum of Ancient Cultures in Hohentübingen Castle presents, among other things, the oldest works of art created by humankind, including Ice Age art designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The City Museum in the former Kornhaus in Tübingen’s old town hosts changing exhibitions on the city’s history and current urban development. It also has two permanent exhibitions: one on the city’s history and one on the paper-cut artist Lotte Reiniger. Regular events and museum education programmes there are also aimed at children and teenagers.
The University of Tübingen Botanical Garden covers ten hectares and is home to almost 10,000 plant species from around the world. Its plant collections are arranged according to geographical, ecological and taxonomic criteria and are complemented by areas such as a medicinal herb garden, a cottage garden and beds of showy perennials. A circular route of about 0.75 kilometres can be walked on wide, step-free paths. The garden is accessible by bus routes 5, 13 and 17; check the current routes before your visit.
Tübingen’s old town is a protected historic district with numerous significant listed buildings. This half-timbered old town has a total of 350 cultural monuments, romantic squares and winding lanes. Hölderlin Tower is one of the most important literary memorial sites. The public guided tour of the old town visits the historic centre’s main attractions and provides detailed commentary on the city’s history. If you have a particular visit date in mind, it is advisable to check the current tour schedule.
Discover more destinations: Gomaringen, Kusterdingen, Hirrlingen, Starzach, Tübingen, Öschingen, Kirchentellinsfurt, Stetten Am Kalten Markt.
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