Hall the Magazine SchwäbischHall English 1 

Hello Hallo Welcome to Schwäbisch Hall. Explore a city full of high-class culture and unique nature. Enjoy a variety of culinary delights and unique event highlights. Join us on an adventure through a city full of history. Discover the harmonious coexistence of past and present in the historic old town with its narrow alleyways, covered wooden bridges and half-timbered houses. Strung together like pearls, the Hällisch- Fränkisches Museum, Kunsthalle Würth and Johanniterkirche offer a unique art and cul- tural experience in the centre of the city that radiates far beyond the region - and all three museums are free to visit. The past comes alive in the Großcomburg Monastery and the Hohenlohe Open-Air Museum in Wackershofen. Be impressed by unforgettable theatre moments at the Frei- lichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall with its open-air stage on the steps of St. Michael‘s Church. Enjoy a stroll through the weekly market in the city centre. You can relax and unwind in the brine baths with their healing brine. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful historic town. Info QR codes are shown on many pages of the magazine. Simply scan them and you will be taken directly to the current page of the attraction mentioned! 03 Schwäbisch HallGermanyBaden-Württemberg

(c) Stadt Schwaebisch Hall Tourist Information The Schwäbisch Hall Tourist Information is at your disposal with useful information and services relating to the town and surrounding area. You will find everything you need for your stay in Schwäbisch Hall directly below the historic market square. Information about Schwäbisch Hall: useful advice, city • information, suggestions for accommodation and attractions • Visitor information material: free maps, books and souvenirs • Guided tours through the historic city centre and various • themed city tours You can also book tickets for the Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall, festivals, concerts and attractions Have a wonderful time in Schwäbisch Hall. Imprint 1st. Edition 2024 Text: Stadt Schwäbisch Hall Fachbereich Wirtschaft, Touristik & Liegenschaften Am Markt 7/8 . 74523 Schwäbisch Hall Tel.: +49 791 / 751660 . stadtmarketing@schwaebischhall.de Design & Concept: b.lateral GmbH & Co KG Lenzensteig 3 78354 . Sipplingen am Bodensee Print: HIRSCH GmbH Printmedien Brückenfeldstraße 54 . 75015 Bretten Cover: (c) Michael Kühneisen Free city WiFi: free-key Schwaebisch Hall 

After the fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, it asserted its independence and developed into an imperial city from 1280. Schwäbisch Hall was thus an independent state within the ‘Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation’. By the end of the 16th century, a large dominion had been successfully established. Under the influence of the theologian and re- former Johannes Brenz (1499-1570), who had been active since 1522, the people turned to Protestantism at an early stage. The basis of the imperial city‘s prosperity and economic power was salt production and trade, as well as wine trade. The late Gothic St Michael‘s Church with its grand staircase, the baroque town hall and many other architectural mo- numents in the well-preserved old town still bear witness to the wealth and self-confiden- ce of the town‘s citizens. This prosperity also made it possible to overcome the consequen- ces of the ‘Great City Fire’ of 1728, which reduced large parts of today‘s Old Town to rubble. The reconstruction in the Baroque style still characterises the cityscape today. The occupation by Württemberg in 1802 put an end to its independence. Schwäbisch Hall, with its population of around 5,600, became a regional administrative centre, but economic development stagnated for a long time. In the 1850s, many people emigra- ted to America. The nationalised salt works quickly lost its importance and was closed in 1925, while the tradition of salt boiling is still practised today. Industrialisation was slow to take hold. From the late 19th century onwards, an economic structure characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises emer- ged, with a focus on mechanical engineering, which proved to be crisis-proof and innovati- ve. The beginnings of the development into a centre for services, education and culture also date back to the 19th century. Examples of this include the re-founding of the grammar school (1877), which was abolished in 1811, the Diakoniewerk as the sponsor of a hospital (from 1886), the Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall (from 1925) or, as more recent examples, the East and West School Centres (1974 and 1979 respectively), the Kunsthalle Würth and the Johanniterkirche (2001 and 2008 respec- tively), as well as the Schwäbisch Hall campus of Heilbronn State University (2009). Around 40 citizens of Jewish faith fell vic- tim to the National Socialist terror regime. The suburb of Hessental was the site of a con- centration camp (from 1944), whose prisoners were used as labour slaves at the local air force base, among other places. The town survi- ved the Second World War largely undama- ged. The rise of the building society, which had been based here since 1944, to become a global industry leader symbolises the ups- wing as a business and service location since the 1950s. This was accompanied by sustai- ned population growth to almost over 40,000 citizens. Schwäbisch Hall grew in terms of area as a result of incorporations in the 1970s. Adolf Würth Airport and the Solpark resi- dential and commercial area were built on the site in Hessental, which was used by the US Army from 1945 to 1994. Since 2011, a new location for retail and services has been the Kocherquartier on the site of the former pri- son on Salinenstraße. (c) Michael Kühneisen 07 

Schwäbisch Hall is a city full of art and cultural treasures and of- fers numerous cultural highlights throughout the year. The Kunsthalle Würth has been presenting high-calibre inter- national art since 2001. In the Johanniterkirche, you can admire the Schutzmantelmadonna. The Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum houses treasures that reflect the history and culture of the imperi- al city and its development up to the present day. But culture is not the only thing represented in the city. The Uni- corns are based here and have been representing the city on the football pitch against other teams since 1983 - and successfully too! And if you want something a lit- tle more relaxed, the Solebad and the Schenkenseebad invite you to linger and enjoy. The following pages will give you an insight into the wide range of leisure activities in the town. Have fun! Sights & culture 09 

(c) Nico Kurth Hohenloher Freilandmuseum Travel back in time, immerse yourself in the world of our ancestors, experience what everyday life was like for people in earlier times, without electricity and telephones, without computers and television: The museum buildings, which are up to 500 years old, make it possible! Großcomburg Monastery The 900 year old monastery appears as both a fortified fortress and a mighty church over- looking the town. The wheel chandelier - a monumental metal work of art inside the nave - is one of the most precious art treasures in Baden-Württemberg. (c) Michael Kühneisen St. Michael’s Church The church with its grand staircase towers majes- tically over Schwäbisch Hall‘s market square. Pa- tron saint St. Michael the Archangel overlooks the city from the vestibule. The 53 steps are the venue for the Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall in summer, making it one of the most spectacular theatre stages in Germany. Free entrance! A donation is requested. (c) Nico Kurth Sights & culture 11 

(c) Ufuk Arslan Solebad Nature has literally placed healing water at our feet. Many people trust in the positive effects of the Schwäbisch Haller Sole. In the 2,500 m² wellness oasis, you can relax in five pools, float or let yourself ‘bubble’ vigorously. (c) Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns Schenkenseebad As an adventure and leisure pool, the Schen- kenseebad offers fun for the whole family. The leisure pool has several pools with different temperatures and a spacious sauna park. The outdoor pool includes a sports pool, a diving tower and a slide. The extensive park invites you to relax. There is also a bowling centre at the Schenkenseebad. (c) Harald Reich Fotostudio Unicorns In the world of American football, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, founded in 1983, are one of the oldest and most traditional organisations in Germany. And one of the most successful: the Unicorns have won a German youth champi- onship, two international titles and five German champion- ships since their foundation, two titles in 2022 alone. The Unicorns‘ successes have also made their hometown famous beyond Germany‘s borders! Sights & culture 13 

Schwäbisch Hall is full of small and large oases of flavour. The gastronomy offers regional delica- cies and pampers gourmet palates with starred cuisine, international variety and organic vegan cuisine, in which small culinary master- pieces with great flavour impress. The weekly market on Wednes- days and Saturdays offers fresh fruit and vegetables from the region, fragrant pretzels and bread, honey or flowers, coffee and Mediterranean specialities. The retailers, tradespeople and restaurateurs create an awareness of regional, sustainable shopping and local gastronomy. In this way, they ensure that a diverse range of goods, cosy cafés and restaurants will continue to invite people to linger in Schwäbisch Hall in the future. Shopping & culinary Hall erleben 15 15 

Immediately after fermentation, numer- ous undesirable flavours are found in the beer. This so-called green beer bouquet smells and tastes buttery or like caramel and, in the case of wheat beer, can also be reminiscent of banana. These aromatic compounds have no place in beer. They gradually degrade through long- term, cool storage. Haller Löwenbräu is part of the so-called slow brewing movement, which sees time as the main measure of the best fla- vour in beer production. The longer the stor- age period, the more carbon dioxide binds in the beer and it becomes more harmonious.“It‘s like meat,“ says Theilacker, „the longer the an- imal has time to grow, the higher the quality of the product afterwards.“ The hops for Schwäbisch Hall beers come from Hallertau, the largest contiguous hop growing region in the world. „We source our raw materials as regionally as possible for Schwäbisch Hall. Local is not always feasible because the hops simply don‘t grow here in the quantities we need for production. In such cases, we opt for the best regional alternative,“ says Managing Director of Haller Löwenbräu, Peter Theilacker. „Water, malt, hops and yeast - according to the German Purity Law, these are all the in- gredients of a beer. It is a natural product in which perfect conditions or ‚vintages‘, as with wine, never occur due to the composition of the various ingredients. Brewing a good beer requires a sure instinct, and that‘s what makes the job so exciting and varied,“ says Master Brewer Matthias Hägele. The beer has already undergone a brewing process of over seven weeks before it is bottled. The starch in the malt has been converted into sugar; the sug- ary liquid has been heated, separated from its solid components, mixed with hops and yeast, cooled and finally fermented. The brewery offers its own brewery tours including beer tastings on request. (c) Ufuk Arslan Shopping & culinary 17 

Schwäbisch Hall is a city full of art and cultural treasures and we are quite proud about that. Exhi- bitions, concerts, theatre perfor- mances, town festivals, historical events and contemporary art - cultural professionals from all areas ensure a lively and varied range of events. We have sum- marised some of the highlights for you on the following pages. The events provide an insight into the city’s diverse cultural land- scape. Hall erleben Events 19 19 

February May Hallia Venezia Hallia Venezia - carnival the Schwäbisch Hall way - is calm and sublime and invites visitors to stroll through the arrow alleyways and across squares, to marvel and discover ever new colourful masks and costumes. Cheese and gourmet market This market unfolds its unique atmosphere in the special am- bience of the open-air museum Wackershofen. Various stands offer specialities from cheese dairies, including artisan cheeses made from goat's, sheep's or cow's milk, which can be tasted, enjoyed and purchased. Savour regional and international specialities like fruit brandies, horseradish, mustard, jams, pralines, sausages and bacon, organically grown vegetables and much more. March-April (c) Stadt Schwaebisch Hall International JazzArt Festival Contemporary jazz at its finest delights audiences every year in March at the International JazzArt Festival. Nine varied concerts are presented in the Hospitalkirche and in the hall of the Kunsthalle Würth. (c) Niko Kurth (c) Kris Haefner Hall erleben Events 21 21 

October Day of the salt Experience on site how real salt, the ‘white gold of the Middle Ages’, is made from real Schwäbisch Haller brine in a reconstructed boiling pan with lots of smoke and fire. December (c) Niko Kurth Christmas market The market square, St Michael’s Church and the narrow streets of Schwäbisch Hall set the atmosphere for a cosy Christ- mas season. The scent of roasted almonds and spicy mulled wine fills the air and makes you want to stroll through the rows of exhibitors even more. Different types of mulled wine, Christmas treats, arts and crafts and clever gift ideas delight visitors from near and far. September September Day of Friendship The Day of Friendship is a one- day event with a special focus on the around 120 countries from which the inhabitants of Schwäbisch Hall come. On the Day of Friendship there are many artistic performances on the stage on the market square, during which country-specific traditions are highlighted. There will also be many different country-specific stalls selling products, food and drink from various national associations. (c) Niko Kurth Oven festival A wide variety of ‘blooz’, a re- gional tarte flambrée, and fresh bread is baked in many of the open-air museum’s historic ov- ens. Many things can be bought and experienced at the baking oven festival: A wide range of regional products, craftsmen present their work, young ani- mals are awarded prizes, music is played and jugglers and tradi- tional dance groups perform. (c) Niko Kurth (c) Niko Kurth Hall erleben 23 23 Events 

This developed into today‘s cake and foun- tain festival, which in its present form dates back to an order issued in 1785. Today, the burning of the mill and the carrying of the boiling cake through the town is re-enacted and the cake is distributed among the visitors of the festival. (c) Michael Kühneisen The annual cake and fountain festival The Haalgeist According to the legend, the cake and foun- tain festival can be traced back to a long-ago event: The year was 1316 and it was the night of St. Peter and St. Paul. Two salt workers were keep- ing watch at the boiling pan today when they heard a loud and incessant cockcrow. Alarmed and suspecting disaster, they ran towards the noise and discovered that the mill on our River Kocher was on fire. They quickly called other salt workers for help and began to extinguish the mill and rescue the miller‘s family, farm- herds and maids from the burning mill. By joining forces, they were able to extinguish the fire and rescue the miller‘s family. They used a ladder to rescue the miller’s family into the wa- ters of the River Kocher. As thanks for saving their lives so quickly and saving the mill from complete destruction, the miller baked the salt boilers a 50 kg cake. The "Siederskuchen" was festively decorated with garlands and carried in a solemn procession to the town’s fountains. To celebrate the day and to commemorate the fact that the salt boilers saved the miller‘s fam- ily and the mill from the fire, the miller bakes the boiling cake for the salt boilers every year. It is also decorated in the same way and parad- ed through the streets of Schwäbisch Hall to honour the salt boiler‘s effort. The other tradition mentioned is also close- ly linked to the salt boilers. It is about the Haalgeist. The Haalgeist is considered as the ‘guardian of the salt spring’ and is still a pop- ular part of the Schwäbisch Hall tradition to- day. The Haalgeist is a ‘good spirit’ and warns people of Schwäbisch Hall against plague, fire and floods. There are many stories about how the Haalgeist has repeatedly met the boilers ‘in person’. It is said that when floods threat- ened and the Haalgeist appeared, he would only go as far into the town as the floods had later progressed. This meant that citizens of Schwäbisch Hall knew exactly how far they had to prepare their homes and when the all- clear was given. On the other hand, the Haalgeist was also prepared to make cruder jokes. He was really bad when he was teased. The Haalgeist still plays an important role in the city today. It can be bought as a souvenir, is hidden in the hidden object book and ap- pears to visitors at the cake and fountain festi- val on Pentecost Saturday evening in the mar- ket square as part of the historical programme. As you can see, Schwäbisch Hall is sur- rounded by many interesting stories and leg- ends and the people of Schwäbisch Hall even have their own town ghost, the Hoolgaascht. Events 2525 

Schwäbisch Hall has a rich his- tory and harbours many exciting stories about people and events. Let our city guides or the night watchman take you through the city and see Schwäbisch Hall with different eyes. Private guided tours can be booked at the Tourist Informa- tion Centre. In addition to the tours listed, we offer many other guided tours in German and we also organise public tours in Ger- man every week. As an alternative to a guided city tour, you can also do the city tour on your own. You can pick up the city tour flyer at the Tourist In- formation and go on a historical discovery tour yourself. Hall erleben Guided tours 27 27 

Guided tour for people with reduced mobility Due to the topographical location, it is a good idea to start above the town, at the parket place Holzmarkt. Afterwards, visit St Michael’s Church with its art treasures and an explanation of the town on the square in front of the church. From here you have a marvellous view of the historic old town. (c) Nico Kurth Guided tour of St Michael‘s church Climb the 53 steps of the grand staircase up to St Michael’s Church and discover the Romanesque-Gothic church from the inside during your guided tour. Admire the more than 100 works of art inside and discover over 850 years of the town’s history. (c) Nico Kurth Guided tour through Großcomburg monastery Immerse yourself in the former Benedictine monastery and view art treasures of international standing in St Nicholas’ Church: the Romanesque wheel chandelier and the fire-gilded altar pendant. On a tour of the battlements, you can let your gaze wander and admire the castle-like complex. The church can only be visited with a guided tour. (c) Michael Kühneisen Guided tours 29 29 

4 3 5 stadtschwaebischhall (c) Michael Kühneisen 2. St.Michael stadtschwaebischhall (c) Michael Kühneisen 3. Schwalbennest stadtschwaebischhall stadtschwaebischhall (c) Michael Kühneisen 5. View from Kunsthalle (c) Michael Kühneisen 4. Grasboedele Guided tours 31 Unterlimpurger StraßeGrasbödeleZwingerPlaygroundAckeranlagenCity park AckeranlagenHirschgrabenKatharinenstraßeBahnhofsstraßeIm LindachGerhards Marionetten-theaterSchafstall CinemaCinemaown hallNeu- bausaalHaalhalleSchmidt-HausDJH Youth hostelenz- Boat rental/Mini golfHStuttgarter Str.Scharfes HWCWCSulferstegOpen Air MuseumWackershofen7 kmKunsthalleWürthSteinbacher StraßeAuf der SchiedUnterer SchiedwegPCrailsheimer StraßeHOutdoor pool Schenkenseebad 1,5 kmHaalbrunnenWCObere HerrngasseChurch St. KatharinaP7P2Train station Schwäbisch Hall - HessentalCinemaOSWUrbanskircheEinkorn6 kmTrain station Schwäbisch HallMonastery Großcomburg2 kmLange StraßeHausLange Straße Nr. 49MauerstraßeWCP3ZollhüttengasseBrüdergasseIm HaalPfarrgasseKeckenhofSteinener StegNeues GlobeHällisch-FränkischesMuseumKeckenhofSchwatzbühlgasseSparkassenplatzUntere HerrngasseTheaterkellerRosenbühlLindachstegTheater-stegUnterwöhrdLindach-stegRoter-stegFassfabrik 4 km

Schwäbisch Hall is located directly on the border of the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park. Discover the diverse landscape of this extensive Nature reserve, which offers steep vineyard slopes, extensive plateaus, elongated valleys, wooded steep slopes, gorges, ravines and caves. Take a look at the recommended routes! Hall erleben Excursions 33 33 

3 Around Schwäbisch Hall Length: 16km This tour is also suitable for inexperienced cyclists. Enjoy the idyllic landscape along the river meanders with a fresh breeze around your nose. Hiking trails (c) Nico Kurth 1 To the panoramic mountain Einkorn 3 To the Wackershofen Open Air Museum 5 Forest walk to the Lemberghaus A cosy place to stop for refreshments and a breath- taking view await you on the mountain. Time: 4h Length: 16km This trail leads from the city centre to the museum Wackershofen, one of the largest open-air museums in Baden-Württemberg. You can stop for a bite to eat at the museum restau- rant before the tour takes you back to the city centre. 2 Around the Starkholzbacher lake Time: 3.5h Length: 13km This circular trail goes past two biotopes to the catered Naturfreundehaus before descending steeply along narrow paths on the Arzbachweg, passing the Forster lake and the Kuh lakes. Time: 2h Length: 8km This trail leads around the lake. The sunbathing lawn, barbecue area and pebble beach invite you to swim and relax. Time: 1.5h Length: 5km 4 Through the Haller Klinge A trail for nature lovers and culture fans! Walk past small waterfalls, the Teuchels bridge, the Urbans church, through the city park and back to the market place. 6 Wells way and Kocher valley After a steep climb, you reach the Teuchels bridge and then the Brunnenweg, which leads along an idyllic path back to the River Kocher. Enjoy the green landscape along the river on your way back to the city centre. Time: 2h Length: 8km Time: 2h Length: 8km Excursions 35 

We invite you to spend a few days in our beautiful city and have many excellent accommodation options for you. Whether ho- tels, holiday flats, youth hostels or campsites, we have the right accommodation for every taste! Accommodation Hall genießen 37 37 

DJH Youth hostel Outdoor pool Schenkenseebad 1,5 km e ß a t r r S Auf der Schied Z w i n g e r ose n b ü hl Neu- bausaal g d w e h i e e c ß r S e r e t n U e r S tr a u r g p P2 WC U n t e rli m Urbanskirche n e g a r k n la e r a C it y p c k A L i n d a c h s t e g Train station Schwäbisch Hall - Hessental Monastery Großcomburg 2 km Einkorn 6 km Fassfabrik 4 km S 39 P f a r r g a s s e O b e r e H e r r n g a s s e e H K e c k e n h o f U n n r r t r e e Theaterkeller e s s a g Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum Keckenhof Boat rental/ Mini golf Playground Ackeranlagen T S t e i n e n e Grasbödele r S t e g Sulfersteg WC l a a H m I h s t e e a g t Unterwöhrd L i n s t e d g a c h - a c h e r - d I m Li n Gerhards Marionetten- theater Cinema Schafstall Cinema a ß e r t s s B a h n h o f P Steinbacher Straße H Train station Schwäbisch Hall Z o l l h ü t t Cinema e n g a s s e Haus Lange Straße Nr. 49 Haalbrunnen P7 WC Haalhalle Neues Globe s R t o e t g e r - WC P3 a ß e B r ü d Kunsthalle Würth Lange Straße e r g a s s e  i n e n s t r a ß e Church St. Katharina n e b a r Open Air Museum Wackershofen 7 km r .