FRAMED WITH WONDER

Robin Kory

Aspiring Photographer, Traveler at Heart

Medieval Charm Near Stuttgart: Discovering Bad Wimpfen & Burg Hornberg

Hilltop view of Bad Wimpfen with the palace tower and twin church spires above half-timbered houses and trees.
Red-framed half-timbered house with green-trimmed windows and potted flowers, Bad Wimpfen.
Half-timbered house with dark wooden shutters in front of the Blue Tower, Bad Wimpfen old town.
Narrow gabled half-timbered house with “SALVE” on the facade, Bad Wimpfen old town.
Bunting over half-timbered houses and a sunken fountain in Bad Wimpfen’s old town.
Close-up of a metal eagle holding a key atop a fountain in Bad Wimpfen.
Cluster of white houses and a round wall tower viewed from above, Bad Wimpfen old town.
Cobblestone street leading to the Blue Tower between half-timbered houses.
Pale blue arched wooden door with sunburst panels set in a stone wall, Bad Wimpfen.
Bronze dragon-head fountain spout pouring water, Bad Wimpfen market square.
Cobbled lane lined with whitewashed houses, shutters, and rose bushes, Bad Wimpfen old town.
Red-and-white half-timbered watchtower on the town wall above gardens, Bad Wimpfen.
Two half-timbered houses—ochre and gray—beside a flower bed of red blooms in Bad Wimpfen.
Octagonal red-sandstone market fountain with flower boxes and slender obelisk, Bad Wimpfen.
Restaurant and wine tavern with red shutters beside the fountain, Bad Wimpfen.
Large red-framed half-timbered house and stone steps by gardens in Bad Wimpfen’s old town.
View over red roofs, half-timbered façades, and a church steeple in Bad Wimpfen.

Just 15 minutes from the salt mine town of Bad Friedrichshall and about an hour from Stuttgart, Bad Wimpfen is a storybook town you’ve likely never heard of. Recently nominated as one of the top five contenders for the 2025 TRAVELBOOK Award for “Most Beautiful Old Town in Germany,” this historic gem quickly became one of our favorite discoveries along the scenic Burgenstrasse—one of Germany’s oldest and most charming holiday routes.

Cobblestone street rising from the Marktplatz toward twin church spires, Bad Wimpfen, Germany.

Bad Wimpfen: From Ancient Routes to Spa Retreat

Bad Wimpfen has been a place of settlement for thousands of years, with archaeological finds tracing human activity here back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Its strategic location at the fork of ancient trade routes—linking France, the Danube, and central Germany—made it a natural crossroads long before recorded history.

In Roman times, a military fort stood here along the empire’s northern frontier. Centuries later, Wimpfen rose to prominence in the medieval period and developed close ties with the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The town’s status as a Free Imperial City by the 1300s meant it governed itself independently—a rare privilege in the era. Though it suffered during the Thirty Years’ War, much of its medieval charm remains intact. In the 1800s, the discovery of salt springs led to its rise as a spa destination, and in 1930, it officially became Bad Wimpfen—Bad meaning “bath” in German.

A Walk Through Time in Bad Wimpfen’s Old Town

With an early start, we arrived before the streets filled, giving us a peaceful window to explore the cobblestone lanes, pastel half-timbered houses, and sunlit courtyards. The medieval character of Bad Wimpfen is remarkably well preserved and a true joy to explore.

Towering above the Neckar River, the town’s skyline is still defined by the remnants of the Staufer imperial palace (Kaiserpfalz Wimpfen), once the largest of its kind north of the Alps. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries for visiting emperors, the complex includes several stone towers and historic buildings that transport you straight into the Middle Ages.

Hilltop old town of Bad Wimpfen with church spires seen across the Neckar River.
The Blue Tower and the church’s twin spires from the riverside path.
Square stone keep and hilltop fortifications of Bad Wimpfen’s former imperial palace (Red Tower) rising above the trees.
Red Tower and ramparts—perched high over the Neckar valley.

The Blue Tower (Blauer Turm), built around 1170 and once part of the town’s fortifications, is Bad Wimpfen’s most iconic landmark. After a steep climb to the top, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views—and perhaps a surprising encounter. The tower’s watchman, who sells tickets at the top, actually lives in the tower and has for decades, continuing what is believed to be the oldest still-active tower watch tradition in Germany.

One visitor I met shared a story from 20 years ago: a young boy, spotting the watchman’s long-haired daughter, turned to his mother and whispered, “Now I know where Rapunzel lives!” The story made our visit feel all the more magical.

Over the centuries, the Blue Tower has seen dramatic changes. It was badly damaged by fires in 1674, 1848, and most recently in 1984—but each time, it was lovingly restored and remains a living part of the town’s history.

Close view of the turreted spire and crenellations atop Bad Wimpfen’s medieval tower.
The Neckar River curving past green meadows and a village near Bad Wimpfen and Burg Hornberg.

Nearby, the Stone House (Steinhaus)—one of the largest non-religious Romanesque buildings in Germany—now houses the History Museum (Historisches Museum). Inside, exhibits showcase Roman-era artifacts, medieval pottery, and archaeological finds from an early civilian settlement (vicus) that once existed beneath present-day Bad Wimpfen, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town’s ancient past.

Stepped-gable stone façade with red-and-white checker panels and arched doorway, Bad Wimpfen.
Exhibit hall with heavy timber beams and stone sculpture in Bad Wimpfen.
Sunlit window alcove with thick plastered walls painted with faint floral vines and stone bench seats on either side.
Recreated medieval cell with straw bedding, shackles, and tools in a vaulted room, Bad Wimpfen museum.
Weathered stone statue of a crowned ruler holding a globus cruciger in Bad Wimpfen.
Arched window bay with worn frescoes and a long raised stone floor in a historic building, Bad Wimpfen.

Just steps away, the Palace Chapel (Pfalzkapelle), dating to around 1200, offers a glimpse into the town’s ecclesiastical history and houses the Church History Museum (Kirchenhistorisches Museum).

Simple stone church with red-tile roof and small arched windows in Bad Wimpfen.
View from inside a medieval stone arch with a heavy iron-studded wooden door standing open, looking onto a sunny cobbled courtyard and a house outside.
Painted wooden ceiling with scrollwork and crowned lion coat of arms in a small chapel, Bad Wimpfen, Germany.

The adjacent Great Hall Arcades (Palas Arkaden)—a graceful gallery of arches along the northern side of the former great hall—once framed the ceremonial heart of the imperial complex, where traveling Staufer kings held court. Today, it’s one of the finest surviving examples of imperial Staufer architecture.

Arcaded gallery on a fortified wall with a half-timbered gable above a green hillside, Bad Wimpfen.
Romanesque arcaded gallery with carved capitals on the former imperial palace terrace, Bad Wimpfen.
Close-up of varied Romanesque columns—twisted and carved—on the palace arcades in Bad Wimpfen.

We also stepped inside the Evangelische Stadtkirche, the Protestant Town Church. Its light-filled nave, painted ceiling frescoes, and ornate baptismal font gave the church a serene and historic character.

Aerial view of Bad Wimpfen’s parish church with twin slate spires above the old town.
Side view of the church choir showing a carved altarpiece, a black-and-gold baptismal font, and a large mural of Christ above.
Twin-spired parish church with slate roofs above the old town, Bad Wimpfen, Germany.
Side aisle of the church with pointed arches, stained-glass windows, painted saints on the walls, and an ornate gallery.
Long view down a Gothic church nave with ribbed vaults, frescoed saints on the ceiling, and rows of pews leading to the altar.
Gothic church façade with rose window and pointed arch doorway in Bad Wimpfen.

Scattered throughout the town, other remnants of the Kaiserpfalz include the Red Tower (Roter Turm) and the Castle Gate (Burgtor)—each adding to the layered, fortified character of the old town. Beyond the palace remains, you’ll find a wealth of historic charm in Bad Wimpfen’s half-timbered homes, medieval gates, churches, fountains, the market square (Marktplatz), and the town hall (Rathaus).

Massive square medieval stone tower and walkway on the hilltop fortifications, Bad Wimpfen.
Round tower and arched gate set in Bad Wimpfen’s medieval city wall, framed by a tall fir tree.
Close view of the lion fountain’s ornate column and spouts beside flower beds, Bad Wimpfen.
Café terrace with umbrellas and bunting on a cobbled square lined with gabled and half-timbered houses, Bad Wimpfen.
Red-and-white half-timbered house with café terrace and palms on a cobbled square, Bad Wimpfen.
Relief carving of a pelican feeding its chicks—the “pelican in her piety”—on a Bad Wimpfen doorway.
Stone cottage with a red arched wooden door under leafy shade, Bad Wimpfen.
Cobblestone courtyard lane by two half-timbered houses and garden beds, Bad Wimpfen.
Stone city gate with crenellations and a wide arch over a cobbled road, Bad Wimpfen, Germany.
Traditional hanging sign “Zum Kräuterweible” with a carved figure on a half-timbered façade, Bad Wimpfen.
Half-timbered gable with arched window and red shutters above a leafy garden in Bad Wimpfen.
Tower-like stone building with steep red-tile roof and small windows beside a spruce tree in Bad Wimpfen, under a clear blue sky.
Stone and stucco houses with red tile roofs and bright flower planters in Bad Wimpfen.
Blauer Turm (Blue Tower) rising behind half-timbered houses in Bad Wimpfen.
Pale pink historic townhouse with many windows and red-tile roof in Bad Wimpfen.
Market fountain under shade trees with half-timbered houses beyond, Bad Wimpfen, Germany.
Mustard-and-white half-timbered house with blue-gray windows and a bed of red geraniums, Bad Wimpfen old town.

Scenic Views and Hidden Corners of Bad Wimpfen

From nearly every part of town, we caught glimpses of the Neckar River flowing far below—whether from the top of the Blue Tower or simply walking along the upper lanes. Lookouts near the city gates and along the arcades of the Kaiserpfalz offer sweeping views of the valley and surrounding hills.

Be sure to give yourself time to wander. Some of our favorite moments came from following winding lanes through garden-filled courtyards, discovering fountains, and resting on sun-warmed stone steps as the town quietly came to life around us. And don’t forget to bring Euros—small entry fees to museums and towers are cash-only.

Panorama of Bad Wimpfen rooftops, twin church towers, and the Neckar River valley.

Burg Hornberg: A Castle with a View

From Bad Wimpfen, we continued our journey to Burg Hornberg, just a short drive away. Perched dramatically above the Neckar, this castle was home to Götz von Berlichingen, the notorious “Iron Hand,” named for the mechanical prosthetic arm he wore after losing his real one in battle. A knight, mercenary, and rebel in equal measure, Götz inspired Goethe’s 18th-century drama Götz von Berlichingen—and, in popular legend, earned a reputation similar to a German Robin Hood for his bold exploits and rumored sympathy for the common people.

Distant view of Burg Hornberg perched above terraced vineyards on a forested hillside.
First glimpse of Burg Hornberg, sitting high over the Neckar Valley vineyards.

The castle complex includes a hotel, restaurant, wine shop, museum, and extensive ruins to explore. We purchased our entry ticket at the small Verkauf shop, which included tokens for the museum and entry gate.

Stone building with blue-and-yellow shutters inside Burg Hornberg, towers of the castle behind.
Ivy-clad winery building at Burg Hornberg with blue-and-yellow shutters and potted plants.
Stone arch gateway at Burg Hornberg framing a sweeping view of the valley road and fields.
Medieval gatehouse at Burg Hornberg with half-timbered upper story.
Stone curtain wall and rounded tower with half-timbered watch room and red roof.
Neckar River and locks seen from above with boats, fields, and rolling hills.

Before exploring the ruins, we had lunch at the castle’s Panorama Restaurant, seated beneath a beautiful old tree in the courtyard—an enchanting spot made even better by the fresh summer air. Housed in a former horse stable, the restaurant serves regional Baden-Swabian dishes and offers sweeping views from its dining room and panoramic terrace (closed that day for a private event).

Dining room at Burg Hornberg with panoramic windows over the Neckar Valley.
Table by open windows overlooking the Neckar Valley from the Burg Hornberg restaurant.
Outdoor terrace at Burg Hornberg Hotel/Restaurant set with gray wicker chairs and coffee cups.

Then it was time to roam. Burg Hornberg is perfect for those who love exploring castle nooks, climbing castle towers, and wandering through centuries of history. Along the way, we stumbled upon a small outer tower with a curious black button on the wall—press it, and a grate in the floor reveals a shadowy drop below. In a quieter corner of the grounds, a gnarled yew tree, more than 500 years old, stood watch like a living monument to the castle’s past.

Close view of Burg Hornberg’s round tower and keep with red roofs and half-timbered lookout on a cliff.
Garden path to a stone building at Burg Hornberg with two atlantes figures framing the arched door.
Small Gothic window with patterned glass and a vase of flowers on a stone altar at Burg Hornberg.
Group of rough-hewn figurative sculptures in a dim stone chamber, Burg Hornberg.
Inner courtyard with tall square keep and smaller octagonal tower at Burg Hornberg; ornate portal below.
Vaulted stone room with an old wine barrel opening to ruined castle walls at Burg Hornberg.
Close view of the half-timbered turret at Burg Hornberg with stone steps rising to an arched doorway.
Sandstone atlantes figure with mustache and carved medallions set into a doorway at Burg Hornberg.
Gnarled tree trunk beside an ivy-covered section of medieval stone wall in deep shade.
Black-and-white detail of a portal at Burg Hornberg with heraldic relief above a spiral stair.
Ruined stone wall with pointed Gothic arch and fractured windows at Burg Hornberg, grasses growing below.
Stone stairway climbing a ruined castle wall with vines, Burg Hornberg, Neckar Valley.
Stone ramparts and a timbered turret with crenellations beside a narrow hillside path and wooden rail.
Small vaulted room with peeling plaster and an arched doorway to a sunlit hall, Burg Hornberg.

Getting There from Stuttgart

Both Bad Wimpfen and Burg Hornberg make for a great day trip from Stuttgart (about 1 to 1.5 hours by car). While public transit is available via train and bus connections, having a car allows greater flexibility—especially when heading up to Burg Hornberg.

Beyond Bad Wimpfen: What to Explore Next

If you’re planning a weekend, here are some nearby highlights worth adding:

  • Solebad Bad Wimpfen – Continue the town’s spa tradition with a relaxing visit to this modern saltwater thermal bath. It features indoor and outdoor pools with massage jets, a glass steam bath, an infrared cabin, and tranquil relaxation areas—perfect after a day of exploring.
  • Bad Friedrichshall & Salzbergwerk (approx. 6 km / 4 mi) – A working salt mine with underground tunnels, mining history, and multimedia exhibits that bring the world of salt mining to life. Read about my experience here.
  • Heilbronn & Experimenta (approx. 15 km / 9 mi) – A vibrant city with Germany’s largest science center—great for families and interactive learners.
  • Guttenberg Castle (approx. 8 km / 5 mi) – One of Germany’s oldest continuously inhabited castles—built around 1180 and owned by the same family for over 500 years. This largely intact Staufer-era fortress is home to a birds-of-prey show, a museum, and a tavern.
  • Schell Schokoladen (approx. 9 km / 6 mi) – Chocolate, cake, and a café… need we say more? Don’t miss their award-winning champagne truffles—once named among the best in the world—and the world’s first patented praline, the Essigschleckerle. There’s also a small hotel on-site if you’d like to stay a little longer.
  • Schäfers Michaelsberg (approx. 11 km / 7 mi) – Organic farm with a guesthouse, farm shop, and the cozy Restaurant Schäfers, all set on a hilltop with beautiful views over the Neckar Valley.
  • Bad Rappenau (approx. 6 km / 4 mi) – A spa town with lovely parks and thermal baths.

Final Thoughts

From imperial ruins and castle walls to a fairytale tower that may or may not house Rapunzel, Bad Wimpfen and Burg Hornberg offer a perfect blend of history, views, and storybook charm. Whether you’re drawn to castles, centuries-old architecture, or simply love wandering beautiful medieval towns, this day trip is one to remember.

Market square cafés with umbrellas and historic façades—Bäckerei & Weinstube—Bad Wimpfen.
A bakery, a wine tavern, and sunny seats in Bad Wimpfen.

Have you been to Bad Wimpfen or Burg Hornberg? Planning a trip? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your questions, favorite spots, or travel tips!

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2 responses to “Medieval Charm Near Stuttgart: Discovering Bad Wimpfen & Burg Hornberg”

  1. mayakory Avatar
    mayakory

    Can’t wait to visit the next time we are in Stuttgart!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Robin Avatar
      Robin

      That would be amazing! I can’t wait either!

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