The old town of Schwäbisch Hall looks back on a history spanning almost 1,000 years. You can sense this on almost every corner. Medieval alleyways, numerous towers, covered wooden bridges and magnificent half-timbered, Baroque and Renaissance buildings characterise the townscape. The history of this former salt-refining town is still very much alive today, as evidenced by the historic salt-refining works and the annual ‘Kuchen und Brunnenfest’ (Cake and Fountain Festival). It is particularly impressive just how well the old town has been preserved. Schwäbisch Hall even survived both world wars largely without suffering serious damage. Among the most beautiful sights is the market square with its Baroque town hall. Also worth seeing is St Michael’s Church with its imposing grand staircase. Discover the most beautiful corners of this historic town on a walking tour.
Discovering Schwäbisch Hall’s Old Town: a walking tour and places of interest
If you’re exploring the sights of Schwäbisch Hall by car, you’ll find plenty of car parks around the old town. We recommend the small car park called ‘Am Holzmarkt’, situated above Schwäbisch Hall’s old town. On Saturdays from 1 pm and on Sundays, you can park here for free. From there, it’s only 100 to 150 metres to the market square, so you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the old town in no time.
The Market Square: In the heart of Schwäbisch Hall
In the market square, you’ll find two of Schwäbisch Hall’s most famous landmarks: the Baroque town hall and St Michael’s Church. Following extensive restoration, the venerable town hall has been restored to its former glory. The ceiling paintings and stucco work inside are particularly worth seeing.
Opposite stands the 12th-century St Michael’s Church, which bears the European Heritage Label. An imposing flight of 53 stone steps leads you up to it. Imagine the awe with which people in the Middle Ages stood before it and looked up at the church towering above them. Since 1925, the Schwäbisch Hall Open-Air Theatre Festival has been held on this impressive staircase. On balmy summer evenings, the open-air staircase, set against this historic backdrop, is transformed into a unique theatre stage.
Tip: For a fantastic view over the old town, it’s well worth climbing the 46.5-metre-high church tower of St Michael’s. After climbing over 160 steps, you’ll reach a viewing point from which the whole of the old town lies at your feet.
From the steps, too, you have a lovely view over Schwäbisch Hall’s old town. Opposite, you can see the magnificent town hall, and to the left of it, the colourful Renaissance buildings. These once formed part of a Franciscan monastery that existed in Schwäbisch Hall from 1236 to 1524.
Historic buildings around the market square
Let your gaze wander further to the left across the market square. There you’ll spot an imposing half-timbered house dating from the 16th century. On the opposite side, a beautiful historic building awaits you. In front of a magnificent Baroque building stands the market fountain, dating from 1509. The nobles of Schwäbisch Hall once met in the former drinking hall. Directly behind the fountain, set slightly higher up, stands the historic pillory, dating from 1509 to 1511. This is where offenders were publicly ‘put in the pillory’.
Further up the hill, you’ll come across the Café am Markt, housed in a beautiful Rococo building, and the Golden Eagle. The latter has been operating as an inn since the 17th century. The medieval buildings that now make up the Hotel Adelshof are also well worth a visit. Emperor Charles V himself once stayed here.
Through the Herrngassen and Haalstraße to the Kocher
Before our tour of Schwäbisch Hall’s old town continues on to the River Kocher, it’s well worth taking a detour into the historic Herrngassen. From the market square, you’ll first come to the Obere Herrngasse. With its old half-timbered houses, it is one of the most beautiful streets in the old town. The poet Eduard Mörike even lived here in 1844.
Follow Obere Herrngasse as far as the bridge over the Schiedgraben, part of the former city fortifications. From here, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Katharinenvorstadt and the Kocher islands of Grasbödele and Unterwöhrd. Directly beneath the bridge lies the Hällisch-Fränkische Museum, which houses interesting exhibitions on the history, art and culture of the former Imperial City. Above it stands the imposing Neubau, a former armoury and granary dating from the 16th century. Today, it hosts concerts and theatre performances, amongst other events.
Your route takes you back to Haalstraße via Untere Herrngasse. Here, too, you’ll find historic half-timbered houses and lovely photo opportunities that will transport you back to the Middle Ages. On the corner of Untere Herrngasse stands a special sight: Schwäbisch Hall’s oldest half-timbered house, dating from 1289.
Now you head down Haalstraße towards the Kocher. ‘Street’ is almost too grand a word for it, as the narrow alley winds picturesquely downhill between historic half-timbered houses. Eventually, you reach the square ‘Im Haal’, lined with chestnut trees, right on the banks of the Kocher.
Across the historic bridges to the Kocher Islands
Now head left, past an ice-cream parlour and a cosy inn. You’ll soon reach the Sulfer Steg. This covered wooden bridge dates from 1779–80 and leads you across old wooden planks to the Kocher island of Grasbödele. The view through the bridge’s wooden structure of the picturesque half-timbered houses in Schwäbisch Hall’s old town is particularly impressive. If you’re looking for a romantic spot, you’re sure to find a lovely spot on the green Kocher island of Grasbödele. Right by the river, you can enjoy nature and the historic backdrop of the old town. Here, you’ll almost feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
From Grasbödele Island, the stone footbridge leads back to the old town and on to the much larger Kocher island of Unterwöhrd. Strictly speaking, this is a peninsula. The picturesque stone bridge with its five arches dates back to 1516.
Tip: Sit on the bridge parapet and soak up the special atmosphere of Schwäbisch Hall’s old town.
At Unterwöhrd, you’ll find a spacious square with comfortable benches where you can sit and relax. A cosy beer garden is the perfect place to unwind. Directly opposite is the Neues Globe Theatre, which stages Shakespeare plays, amongst other things.
Across the Roter Steg into the Katharinenvorstadt
Our stroll through Schwäbisch Hall’s old town takes you on across the Roter Steg bridge. This is a historic wooden bridge dating back to the 14th century. Here, you can really get a feel for the Middle Ages. On the other side, a beautiful cluster of half-timbered houses awaits you. You’ll reach the Katharinenvorstadt, which was founded in the 14th century and once housed numerous craftsmen.
Now head to the right and follow Maurerstraße along the banks of the Kocher. On your left, you’ll spot the historic brewhouse of the former Löwenbrauerei and the modern Kunsthalle Würth. It’s worth taking a short detour: follow Brüdergasse up to the square in front of the Kunsthalle. From here, you can enjoy a fantastic view over Schwäbisch Hall’s old town.
Kirchgasse then leads you back down to Maurerstraße. Follow it on until you reach the Henkersbrücke. As you cross the stone bridge, it’s worth taking a look back at the picturesque half-timbered houses on the banks of the Kocher. In the middle of the bridge, you’ll pass the Executioner’s House. Imagine how cramped the executioner’s living quarters must have been here. As well as his role as executioner, he also collected tolls from people coming to Schwäbisch Hall. On the other side of the Kocher, you’ll reach the historic town centre once more.
Your route now takes you uphill along Neue Straße back to the market square. On the way, you’ll pass numerous shops before finally reaching your starting point again.
Gelbinger Alley und Josen tower
If you’re still not satisfied, you should also take a look at Gelbinger Alley. You can get there from the market square via Marktstraße. In this traffic-calmed alley, you’ll find numerous historic half-timbered houses. There are also small shops and cosy cafés there. Particularly worth seeing is the Josen tower with its striking half-timbered spire. It once belonged to the Chapel of St Jodokus and was also part of the medieval town fortifications.
A popular photo spot awaits you by the steps leading up to the district administration office. The bronze sculpture by the artist Karl-Henning Seemann, dating from 1981, depicts, amongst other things, a stubborn donkey. Children in particular love to climb onto it for a souvenir photo. A distinctive feature is the bronze ropes, which also serve as the stair railings.
Schwäbisch Hall: Wealth from ‘white gold’
As early as 500 BC, the Celts were extracting salt in Schwäbisch Hall. The settlement of Hall was first mentioned in a document in 1037 and developed rapidly under the rule of the Staufers. In the Middle Ages, salt was regarded as precious ‘white gold’ and brought wealth and influence to the town. Schwäbisch Hall was granted town privileges as well as the right to hold markets and mint coins. It was also during this period that the famous ‘Heller’ coin was first minted.
In the 13th century, Schwäbisch Hall developed into an important imperial city with a large territory under its control. The ‘Heller’, minted here, was regarded as the ‘euro of the Middle Ages’ and took its name from the town. Neither the Thirty Years’ War nor the devastating town fire of 1728 permanently undermined the prosperity derived from salt production and the salt and wine trades. The imperial city’s independence came to an end in 1802 with its incorporation into Württemberg. Two years later, the Württemberg state took over the rights to the salt works.
