With the Einsiedel Historical Trail, Kirchentellinsfurt offers a clearly defined focus on cultural history. Archaeological sites and information about the history of settlement give the route a shared theme: the long history of the Einsiedel site.

The Einsiedel Historical Trail

The trail is 4.5 kilometres long, starts at the former Einsiedel Castle and takes about 90 minutes to walk. It provides information about Einsiedel Castle, St. Peter’s Abbey, and the history of the forest and hunting in the Schönbuch. Twelve informative panels present the settlement history of Schönbuch Nature Park and explain what makes the Einsiedel site a “cultural park.”

The stops include a group of Hallstatt culture burial mounds, a Roman four-god stone, a boundary stone belonging to St. Peter’s Abbey, the ramparts of a Celtic rectangular enclosure and a Roman carved stone. Archaeological evidence thus stands alongside traces of the abbey’s history and the history of the forest and hunting, which are also themes of the route.

Archaeological traces and Roman heritage

The history of settlement at Einsiedel reaches far back: traces of Stone Age settlements have been documented as far back as the 7th millennium BC. There are also remains of Celtic burial mounds and rectangular enclosures, as well as Roman carved stones and coins. The time span therefore ranges from early traces of settlement to finds from the Celtic and Roman periods.

There is a separate Roman point of interest near Kirchentellinsfurt: close to Federal Highway 27, an exhibition platform commemorates a pillar tomb dating from the early 3rd century AD. The trail and the platform offer different perspectives: the trail leads past several stops exploring Einsiedel’s history of settlement, while the platform focuses on the memory of a single Roman tomb.

Landscape and culture in the wider Tübingen travel destination

The district of Tübingen provides a broader landscape setting within the wider travel destination of Tübingen. It stretches between the forested, valley-rich Schönbuch Nature Park in the north and the Alb escarpment in the south. The Neckar, Ammer and Steinlach rivers have cut through the cuesta landscape, creating a varied region. The district’s landscape includes the wooded areas of the Rammert and Schönbuch Nature Park, high plateaus with far-reaching views, orchards and vineyards.

Tübingen’s cultural attractions also have their own distinct focus. The historic old town, characterised by half-timbered houses and narrow lanes, invites visitors to stroll. The Museum of Ancient Cultures at Hohentübingen Castle displays 40,000-year-old figurative artworks as well as the oldest musical instruments. It is the only university museum in the world with exhibits from two UNESCO World Heritage listings.

In Bebenhausen, guided tours explore Cistercian monastery architecture and the daily lives of the monks and the royal couple. The interior rooms of Bebenhausen Castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Check current access arrangements and tour dates before your visit.

Wine as a cultural asset at the Früchtetrauf offers another regional perspective. Examples include the Unterjesingen Wine Press Museum, a guided vineyard tour or a traditional Swabian Besenwirtschaft. The Wine Press Museum displays an extensive collection of equipment and objects related to wine and hop growing, as well as farming and domestic life, since the 19th century. If you are planning a specific tour, check the dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Stetten am kalten Markt, Gomaringen, Weingarten, Ammerbuch, Starzach, Kusterdingen, Rottenburg am Neckar, Öschingen

Back to the wider travel overview: Tübingen.