Plochingen: Architectural History, Art and Landscape

Plochingen invites you to discover its many different facets: early and late Gothic buildings, Renaissance half-timbering, Art Nouveau, art and landscaped grounds. When choosing accommodation, your interests can make the difference: should your stay focus mainly on architectural history and culture, or also include Bruckenwasen Landscape Park? The wide range of themes gives you a practical basis for planning your trip around the discoveries you want to make.

Architectural history from the chapel to Art Nouveau

The early Gothic Ottilien Chapel dates from 1328 and is the oldest surviving building in Plochingen. Around 1380, it was decorated with frescoes: 15 scenes each depict the Nativity and the Passion of Christ. The two sequences of images show different episodes in the Christian story and add a striking art-historical dimension to the building’s history.

The late Gothic fortified church of St. Blasius stands on Kirchberg and was completed in 1488. A defensive wall surrounds the church, a landmark of Plochingen that can be seen from far away. Its features include stained-glass windows created in 1999 by the renowned glass artist Hans Gottfried von Stockhausen. The church’s design, setting and windows each offer something distinctive if you want to explore the town’s history more closely.

The Frühmesserhaus dates from 1594 and is a rare example of Renaissance half-timbering in southern Germany. Plochingen railway station represents a later style: it was built between 1905 and 1907 in the Art Nouveau style, based on designs by architect Theodor Fischer. In this way, Renaissance half-timbering and Art Nouveau can be seen as different chapters in the town’s architectural history.

A more striking, colourful feature is Tomi Ungerer’s “les toilettes”: the building’s cubic structure is in the city centre, between the market square and Schorndorfer Straße, directly beside the pedestrian zone. The “Wohnen unterm Regenturm” complex includes the 33-metre-high Regenturm, which rises above the building and is crowned by four golden spheres. The complex is a popular attraction in Plochingen. Together, these buildings show the many different ways architecture shapes the townscape.

Art and culture at Kulturpark Dettinger

Kulturpark Dettinger is an industrial heritage site with artists’ studios and club rooms. A special event for art lovers is the “Lange Kunstnacht”, held there once a year, when resident artists open their studios. The event offers a chance to discover art and studios in the cultural park; the studios’ open doors are part of the art night’s programme.

A guided tasting of Plochingen Hansen wine adds a distinct culinary touch. It can be booked as an addition to an excursion to Plochingen, but only in conjunction with a guided city tour. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, note that it must be combined with the tour.

Bruckenwasen Landscape Park and scenic views

At Bruckenwasen Landscape Park, the Plochingen Steam Railway enthusiasts’ park railway runs scale-model steam or diesel locomotives along a 1.2-kilometre route. The meadow labyrinth in the same park offers a different design concept: it follows the classic form, with seven circuits around a centre marked by an oak tree. The railway ride and the labyrinth offer contrasting experiences of movement and spatial orientation.

From the Swabian Alb Association’s observation tower in Plochingen, the view extends across the Swabian Alb, the Schurwald and the Neckar Valley. Among the experiences described, you can enjoy both the landscaped grounds of Bruckenwasen and far-reaching views across a variety of landscapes. If you are planning a trip with children, you can focus on activities that appeal to everyone, such as technology and nature or architectural history and art.

Getting there and planning your trip

Plochingen is the terminus of the S-Bahn service to Stuttgart; one of Germany’s busiest railway lines also runs through the town. This rail connection is one factor to consider when planning your trip. If you want to combine architecture, art and park experiences, choose what to focus on according to your interests, and also take into account the conditions attached to individual activities, such as the requirement to combine the Hansen wine tasting with a guided city tour.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nürtingen, Frickenhausen, Esslingen, Reichenbach an der Fils, Owen, Kirchheim unter Teck, Neuhausen auf den Fildern, Beuren.

Go to the main travel overview: Esslingen.