This medieval town in Baden-Württemberg centers around its large market square and 13th-century St. Michael's Church, built on a grand staircase of 53 steps.
Schwäbisch Hall, a medieval town in Baden-Württemberg, stretches along the Kocher River's banks. You'll find actors performing plays on the 53 steps leading to St. Michael's Church, artists displaying their work in the Kunsthalle Würth, and locals gathering at the 500-year-old Fish Fountain. As you walk through the narrow streets, you'll pass timber-framed houses with exposed wooden beams dating back to the 1400s.
Exploring the Medieval Center
The Market Square lies at the center of Schwäbisch Hall, with St. Michael's Church rising above a grand stone staircase of 53 steps. In summer, you can watch theater performances here, with actors using the steps as their stage against the Gothic church's stone walls. The 1735 baroque Town Hall and the Fish Fountain from 1509 frame the square. Merchants kept their fish alive in the fountain's basin before market days. Walking through the surrounding streets, you'll see 15th-century buildings with dark wooden beams crossing white plaster walls.
Museums and Art
At the Kunsthalle Würth, you can view paintings and sculptures from the 19th century to today without paying an entrance fee. The Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum displays salt-production equipment from different centuries, medieval manuscripts, and a scale model showing how the town grew from a small settlement to its current size. Outside town, the Hohenloher Freilandmuseum lets you walk through authentic buildings from the 1500s to 1900s, including farmhouses, craftsmen's workshops, and an old schoolhouse.
Along the Kocher River
Red wooden bridges connect the banks and islands of the Kocher River. Stop at Grasbrödele island to take photos of medieval buildings reflecting in the water. From May to September, you can enjoy local beer and food at the beer garden on Unterwöhrd island. Walking paths follow both sides of the river, taking you past medieval houses that seem to hover above the water on wooden stilts.
Cultural Events Throughout the Year
In July, the Salt Festival brings craftspeople who demonstrate centuries-old salt-making methods while local musicians play traditional songs. December transforms the Market Square into a medieval Christmas market with 60 wooden stalls selling crafts and regional specialties. The Summer Night Festival fills the streets with music and food in August, while the Baker's Oven Festival in October lets you sample bread baked using traditional methods.
Getting There and Around
Regular trains connect Schwäbisch Hall-Hessental station with Stuttgart (90 minutes) and Nuremberg (2 hours). By car, take the A6 motorway from Stuttgart (90 km) or Frankfurt (180 km). When exploring the old town, prepare for some uphill walking - the medieval streets wind up and down the hillside.
