Located 30km northeast of Stuttgart, this former tanning industry center has a medieval marketplace with half-timbered buildings and a 12th-century Romanesque church tower.
Located 30 kilometers northeast of Stuttgart, Backnang (population 38,000) is a telecommunications industry center with deep roots in leather manufacturing. Walk through streets lined with half-timbered buildings, climb the twin towers of the 12th-century Stiftskirche, or join 100,000 visitors at the summer Strassenfest for traditional food and music. The town is a 30-minute train ride from Stuttgart.
From Leather to Technology
Until the mid-20th century, tanneries and leather workshops filled Backnang's streets, earning it the nickname "Gerberstadt" (Tanner's Town). Today, technology companies like Ericsson and Tesat-Spacecom employ thousands of residents, developing telecommunications and space communication equipment in modern industrial parks around the town.
Getting to Backnang
Trains depart every 30 minutes from Stuttgart's main station to Backnang, with a journey time of 30 minutes. By car, take the B14 highway northeast from Stuttgart. From Stuttgart Airport (32 kilometers southwest), take bus line 826 to Backnang central station.
The 12th-Century Stiftskirche
The Stiftskirche, built in 1116 as part of Backnang Abbey, dominates the town center with its twin towers. Inside, you'll find Romanesque stone carvings, cross-ribbed vaults, and medieval tombstones. Visit between 9 AM and 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).
The Summer Strassenfest
The Strassenfest transforms Backnang's streets during the last weekend of June. The four-day festival starts with cannon fire from the city tower. Local clubs set up food stalls selling Swabian specialties like Maultaschen and Spätzle. Live bands perform on multiple stages throughout the old town. The celebration ends with the traditional Zapfenstreich ceremony on Monday at 11 PM.
