Pinache and its Waldensian history

Pinache makes its Waldensian history visible through its architecture and historic sites. The village was founded as a Waldensian settlement in June 1699. Its houses face the street with their gables—a characteristic architectural style of Württemberg’s Waldensian villages. The village’s history can thus also be read in the orientation of its houses; historic buildings and attractions offer further ways to explore the past.

Church, museum and historic buildings

A prominent landmark is the Waldensian church in Pinache: it is Germany’s oldest and largest solidly built Waldensian church and was completed in 1721. Guided tours are offered of this historic church. The Weinbergweg – Pinache trail also starts at the church. Visitors interested in both the building and the trails will find two different starting points in the same place.

The Waldensian Museum Room opened in March 2013 in Pinache’s listed Old Town Hall, which was built in 1812. In three rooms, the museum room presents information panels, exhibits, original photographs and handwritten documents. Texts, objects, images and documents offer a range of different ways to explore the past. The bakehouse is also part of the village’s history: built in 1847, it is still used for celebrations.

Village tour or trails in the surrounding area

The Pinache Historic Village Tour takes visitors to the Waldensian village’s most important historic sites and lasts about an hour. It starts and ends at the Waldensian Hall, where there is a car park. This gives you a rough timeframe for this part of your visit. Guided church tours, by contrast, focus on the historic Waldensian church.

The Weinbergweg – Pinache trail starts at the Waldensian church, completed in 1721. The Pinache Kirche stop is also a useful landmark for planning your journey and route: public transport stops are located near the Weinbergweg. If you plan to use public transport, check the current service to the stops in advance.

For cycling, the “Tour around all the districts” follows mostly paved paths around Wiernsheim and its three districts of Iptingen, Serres and Pinache. Unlike the Weinbergweg, which starts at the church, this route is described as a circular tour around the districts. The municipality may update the route, so check it before setting off. You can choose between the church as a landmark and a cycling tour that takes in several districts.

There are hiking options beyond Pinache: the Enzkreis district offers short and long tours near Wiernsheim, Iptingen, Pinache and Serres. Examples include the Weinbergschneckenweg and the Bänklestour. In addition to the named Weinbergweg, these hikes offer options to explore a wider regional area. When choosing accommodation, you can decide whether to focus on Pinache’s Waldensian history and historic sites, or also plan cycling and hiking tours in the Enzkreis district.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Serres, Iptingen.

Back to the main travel overview: Wiernsheim.