Half-timbered houses, art and chainsaws

#Waiblingen is one of the most beautiful half-timbered towns in southern Germany, located near Stuttgart and offering surprisingly many #sights. Especially the historic #city center is worth a visit. The surrounding area is idyllic and provides local recreational areas such as the Lower #Remstal.

During a discovery tour through the #old town with its dominant #towers and impressive half-timbered houses, you can dive into the world of ancient emperors and kings. Whether #Salier, #Staufer, or #Karolinger: Many ruling dynasties have left their mark on Waiblingen. The medieval city layout of Waiblingen began to take shape around the year 1250 and can still be seen in parts today.

Waiblingen is vibrant.

In the town on the Rems, #tradition and #modernity meet. A diverse #gastronomy, an attractive shopping offer, numerous festivals, and cultural events express the liveliness and openness of the district town of Rems-Murr. Since May 2008, the Stihl Waiblingen Gallery and the Lower Remstal Art School have opened their doors. The thematic focuses of the gallery are taken up by the art school. The close connection between the two institutions and the integration of exhibition elements into daily life at the art school are unique in Germany.

When the “Old Town Hall” at the #market square, with its ground-floor arcade from the Renaissance and its baroque half-timbered structure, was no longer sufficient for the growing city around 1870, plans were made to build a new structure at this location. However, since the appearance of the square would have been fundamentally altered, they reconsidered and the building first mentioned in 1476 and newly constructed in 1597 after the coat of arms stone was preserved. In the 1920s, the Old Town Hall became the first building in Waiblingen to have its half-timbering exposed.

Another beautiful half-timbered house with an ornate bay window, built around 1690, dominates the northern facade of the market square. Decorative embellishments, colloquially known as “Neidköpfe”, testify to the early Baroque's preference for the grotesque. From 1794 to 1819, this house housed the official writing office, followed by the Royal District Court on the ground floor until 1909, with the official residence of the district judges located on the upper floor. During the tenure of district judge Karl Mayer, who lived here with his family from 1824 to 1843, this house became a meeting point for well-known Württemberg poets and intellectuals such as Eduard Mörike, Nicolaus Lenau, and Justinus Kerner. Since 1910, the building has been used as a commercial house. In the Waiblingen old town, there is a particularity: many old houses have #Neidköpfe staring down at you, some threatening, some friendly. A walk through the alleys leads along the most impressive Waiblinger Neidköpfe. On the one hand, they served as house marks, giving the house a visible imprint and serving as identifying symbols for outsiders. On the other hand, the Neidköpfe indicated a certain wealth of the builder. But their primary purpose was to protect against the 'evil eye', a spell that could drain milk from nursing mothers or cause infants to wither away simply through a mere gaze. To ward off this gaze, a gesture known in all cultures for thousands of years was used: the stuck-out tongue.

The largely preserved and mostly walkable city wall leads from the Beinsteiner Gate along the Alder Island to the Apothecary Garden. The construction of the #city wall began around 1250 and took about 30 years. The accessible #walkway and the arrow slits transport one back to the 13th century. Through the arrow slits, one can gaze at Alder Island and the Rems.

The Beinsteiner gate tower is the only preserved city gate of the medieval city structure of Waiblingen. At the beginning of the postcard era in the early 20th century, the Beinsteiner Gate became a favorite motif and the city's business card. On its outer side, the coat of arms of the Württemberg Count Eberhard im Bart is emblazoned, carved in sandstone with the year 1491. Below it is a two-part sgraffito from the National Socialist era. The city’s connections with the Staufer dynasty were referenced through the Staufer knight and with the burning city model, flanked by two mercenaries, to the destruction during the Thirty Years' War in 1634. The lower part is based on a tradition that a Waiblingen flag bearer defended his flag against the League of Free Cities in a battle in 1519 even with severed hands on the side of Duke Ulrich. To this day, the Beinsteiner Gate is colloquially known as “Säuturm” (Pig Tower), as pigs were once driven here to graze on the Wasen.

Much more modern is the futuristic-looking Stihl Gallery in the city. The exhibition house showcases changing expositions on the theme of art. Thematically, it covers the fields of print graphics, watercolors, and collages as well as architecture and design. Waiblingen is also home to the headquarters of ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, including the main administration. In Factory 1 on Badstraße, you find 'STIHL Brand World', a company museum that brings STIHL to life and provides visitors with a knowledge platform on the topics of forests and forestry.

The #Talauenpark, with its meadows, trees, water, play, and adventure options, is one of the most beautiful places in Waiblingen. Near the Talauesee, there is a Kneipp basin. Scottish Highland cattle contribute to the ecological and economic balanced landscape maintenance in Waiblingen. The adventure golf course entices as does the skate bowl and the indoor pool with its outdoor pool and the bee information house.

One of the most beautiful hiking tours in Waiblingen runs along the #Rems. The river meanders through the city, offering idyllic views of green meadows, gentle hills, and historic buildings. This route is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a longer hike.

Another highlight is the #vineyards around Waiblingen, Korb, and high into the Remstal. Here, visitors can stroll between the vines on marked hiking paths and enjoy the magnificent view of the Remstal. Especially in autumn, when the leaves begin to change color, it’s worthwhile to explore this area.

Waiblingen in the beautiful Remstal holds a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant atmosphere that harmoniously combines tradition and modernity. The variety of gastronomic offerings, the attractive shopping options, and numerous cultural events reflect the openness and zest for life of this city. From the impressive half-timbered houses to the picturesque vineyards in the surroundings, Waiblingen invites you to experience history and enjoy the beauty of its nature.

#VisitBW #TourismusBW #ReisenBadenWürttemberg #entdeckediewelt #UrlaubinBW #FerienlandBW #bwjetzt #SehenswürdigkeitenBW #ErlebeBadenWürttemberg #wirsindsüden #DeutscheFachwerkstraße #denkmalschutz