Weinheim on the Bergstrasse – The “Tuscany of Germany”
There is only one town on the entire Bergstrasse, the “Tuscany of Germany”, that has two castles. This is Weinheim, a dynamic and modern business and retail location, characterised by a rich cultural life and described as a proverbial “small town pearl” between Heidelberg and Frankfurt.
At the same time, Weinheim impresses with a wealth of historical monuments, a visibly eventful history, and famous parks and gardens. The centre of the Bergstrasse is not called “excitingly cosy” without good reason.
The Historic Market Square – The Heart of Weinheim
The heart of the city beats on the historic market square, where Japanese string trees provide shade and a Mediterranean feel. Life pulsates here in summer.
The square, designed in the style of an Italian piazza, is surrounded by bistros, cafés, and inns. In the morning, Alberto Ferrarese from “La Cantina”, Andalusian-born Juan Salar from Café Florian, and Gerald Haas from the rustic “Diebsloch” meet for a cup of coffee to discuss the day, which is usually sunny on the Bergstrasse anyway.
The sun shines here as often and as long as it does in northern Italy.
The Two Castles of Weinheim
When evening falls, the two castles shine down from the hills onto the city below. The landmarks could not be more different.
Windeck Castle Ruins
The Windeck castle ruins, which can be reached on foot in ten minutes, are among the oldest of their kind in the region. They were built in the 11th century as a protective fortress for the nearby Lorsch Monastery.
Wachenburg Castle
The Wachenburg, on the other hand, was built only at the beginning of the 20th century as a monument and belongs to an association of corps students. Once a year, the students—young and old “foxes”—populate the town in their striking uniforms.
Gerberbachviertel and Medieval History
Below the market square lies the historic Gerberbachviertel, with cosy half-timbered houses and stately former guild houses. A small stream babbles through the district, a reminder of Weinheim’s medieval past.
This area reflects the town’s history as a centre of the tanning trade. It is easy to imagine how animal skins were once scrubbed in the water of the stream.
The tanning workshops and factories later developed into a leather factory in the 19th century, which became the nucleus of today’s Freudenberg Group, headquartered in Weinheim.
Freudenberg Group and Industrial Heritage
In its 175-year history, the globally positioned Freudenberg Group has become known for innovations such as:
- The Simmering sealing ring for engines
- The Nora nubbed floor found in airports worldwide
- The famous Vileda mop
The company has since moved to an industrial and technology park on the outskirts of the city, but traces of its history can still be found throughout Weinheim.
Hermannshof Garden – One of the World’s Most Beautiful Gardens
The Hermannshof show and viewing garden, almost two hectares in size and located near the market square, is also owned by the Freudenberg Group. It is accessible all year round without admission.
Its highlights include:
- A sea of tulips in early summer
- Ancient tree monuments, including an almost 300-year-old plane tree
- A purple arbour formed by a gnarled wisteria
- A bright magnolia in the middle of the large meadow
GEO magazine honoured Hermannshof in its 2024 Garden Calendar, naming it one of the twelve most beautiful gardens in the world.
Parks, Gardens, and the “Green Mile”
Weinheim offers further magnificent parks, gardens, and forests directly within the city, connected by short routes known as the “Green Mile”.
These include:
- The castle park in the style of an English garden, laid out by the von Berckheim family
- The nearly 300-year-old Lebanon cedar near the castle
- An exotic forest covering 60 hectares, one of the largest in Europe, with around 170 species of trees and shrubs
The forest walk feels like a journey around the world, with scents of chocolate and chewing gum from special trees and impressive 160-year-old sequoias.
Weddings, Romance, and the City of Love
Inside the castle, the former hunting room of the counts now serves as a wedding room, welcoming over 400 bridal couples each year.
With this high number of weddings, Weinheim is considered a city of love. It is said that you can lose your heart in nearby Heidelberg—but you can find it in Weinheim.
Guided Tours and Cultural Experiences
“Weinheim is leading the way” is how the region describes the city’s wide range of themed tours offered by the Tourist Information Centre. Over 6,000 people participate each year.
Digital routes guide countless additional visitors through the city.
The renowned crime novelist Ingrid Noll, honorary citizen of Weinheim, leads fans to her favourite locations via signs, QR codes, and online routes. Children can explore the Grüffelo trail on the way to Windeck, the only freely accessible Grüffelo trail in Germany.
From 2025, a digital dialect trail will guide visitors to hidden treasures.
Festivals, Music, and Events
Weinheim is a lively city with a diverse cultural scene.
- Summer performances take place in front of the castle
- International stars such as José Carreras and Chris de Burgh have performed here
- The largest summer parade on the Bergstrasse takes place in spring
- In August, the Altstadtkerwe, the largest summer folk festival in the region, attracts visitors
Shopping in the city centre is complemented by small concerts and festivals.
Nature, Villages, and Outdoor Activities
As part of the Neckar-Odenwald Geo-Nature Park and the central tourist centre of the Bergstrasse, Weinheim offers remarkable geological diversity.
The city includes:
- A lively urban centre
- Districts resembling wine villages
- Idyllic villages in the front Odenwald surrounded by forests and hills
These areas provide additional hiking and cycling opportunities.
It is said that once you come to Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, you never want to leave.
Tourist Information and Contact Details
More information:
weinheim.de
diebergstrasse.de
Tourist Information:
Marktplatz 1, 69469 Weinheim
Tel.: +49 (0) 6201 82 610
tourismus@weinheim.de
