Herrenberg: Collegiate Church, Bells and Half-Timbered Houses

Herrenberg brings together architectural history, art and routes through the historic old town. The collegiate church combines striking architecture with choir stalls and the bell museum; sculptures and half-timbered houses add different points of interest along the way. If you are looking for accommodation, these interests can help you decide what to focus on during your stay—from church art to seasonal cultural events.

Collegiate Church: Architectural History and Art

Herrenberg Collegiate Church was built in two phases: from 1276 to 1293 and from 1471 to 1493. It was completed as the first Gothic hall church in Württemberg. Its features include the choir stalls created by Heinrich Schickhardt in 1517 and the oldest rose window in Swabia. The building phases, choir stalls and rose window offer different points of interest within the same church: its development over time, a specific work of art and a distinctive architectural detail.

The Herrenberg Bell Museum is also located in the collegiate church. Its large bell chamber houses more than 30 bells that can be rung and a 50-bell carillon; the collection spans nine centuries. The collegiate church thus brings together architectural and art history with a bell collection whose time span reaches far beyond a single century.

Sculpture Trail, Half-Timbered Houses and Views

The Jerg Ratgeb Sculpture Trail runs from the train station through Herrenberg’s historic old town, past the collegiate church and up to Schlossberg. There are 25 works along the trail to the Schlossberg observation tower. The tower stands on the stump of the former powder tower; from here, the view extends to the Swabian Alb. The route thus connects art in the urban landscape with a destination on Schlossberg.

The half-timbered trail in the old town offers a different focus: its 24 stops explain the history and construction of the houses. The two routes invite you to make different discoveries—the first focuses on sculptures and Schlossberg, while the other highlights the half-timbered houses and their architectural history. When planning your day, these themes can help you choose between an art walk and a closer look at the old town.

Art and Culture Throughout the Year

The Herrenberg City Gallery presents contemporary art in the fields of painting, graphic art, photography and sculpture. The music school and church musicians in Herrenberg include classical concerts in their programmes. The “Sommerfarben” cultural festival takes place every year in early July and involves numerous cultural organisations from the city.

The seasons also bring different highlights: the “Jazzin’ Herrenberg” jazz festival takes place in spring, while the “Feschtiiwaal” rock and pop festival is held in summer and appeals especially to younger audiences. If you want to plan your stay around a particular festival, check the exact dates in advance. The programme and dates for “Sommerfarben” may vary.

When looking for accommodation in Herrenberg, consider what you want your stay to focus on: the architectural history of the collegiate church, routes through the old town or a cultural event at a particular time of year. That way, you can base your search on the experiences that interest you most, rather than on accommodation amenities that need to be checked separately for each property.

More Routes in the Wider Böblingen Destination

Within the wider Böblingen destination, SCULPTOURA offers a main route of around 65 kilometres from Waldenbuch via Weil der Stadt to Leonberg, combining nature, art and activity. The 4.5-kilometre Böblingen Forest Discovery Trail, with 14 stops in the Böblingen municipal forest, offers a different scale. For your travel plans, you can choose between a longer route through several towns and a shorter trail with stops in the municipal forest. Their length, route and theme provide concrete points of comparison when choosing excursions for your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kuppingen, Schönaich, Magstadt, Gärtringen, Leonberg, Holzgerlingen, Sindelfingen, Weissach.

To the overview of the wider destination: Böblingen.