Discover Göppingen: Hohenstaufen history, art and festivals

Discover Göppingen through two distinctive themes: the history of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and a diverse cultural scene. The ruins of their ancestral castle stand on Hohenstaufen hill; in the city, the Kunsthalle, historic festivals and the ensemble of Schlossplatz, the Renaissance castle and the town church round out the historical picture. Families planning a visit can weigh up different ideas for a day out, from local history to a seasonal guided tour and walks in the district.

Hohenstaufen history on Hohenstaufen hill

The ruins of the Hohenstaufen dynasty’s ancestral castle stand in the Göppingen district of Hohenstaufen. The castle was built around 1070 and destroyed during the Peasants’ War in 1525. Hohenstaufen is also the focal point of the “Staufer Route,” a cultural trail leading to important architectural landmarks from the Hohenstaufen era. An exhibition in Göppingen explores the dynasty’s history, including the reigns of Frederick I Barbarossa and his grandson Frederick II. You can discover the Middle Ages from several perspectives: through the castle, the cultural trail and the exhibition.

In spring and summer, the city offers a free guided tour up 684-metre-high Hohenstaufen hill once a month. The tour includes information about its history. Check the current tour dates before your visit. Hohenstaufen is also one of the Three Kaiser Mountains and is considered a landmark of the Stauferland region.

Art, urban spaces and Göppingen’s festivals

Since 1989, the Kunsthalle Göppingen has presented international contemporary art in exhibitions and in public and digital spaces. The exhibitions change, so art lovers can focus on something different here than at the city’s historical sites. Schlossplatz, the Renaissance castle and the town church form a harmonious ensemble. Redesigned in 2014, Schlossplatz connects the three elements of this urban setting.

The history of festivals is also part of Göppingen’s cultural identity. The original Göppingen Peace and Thanksgiving Festival was first held on 11 August 1650 to celebrate the end of the Thirty Years’ War. The Maientag is a traditional local festival that has combined tradition and modernity for more than 350 years. Together, art, the cityscape and festival traditions offer different ways to experience the city, from contemporary art to historical remembrance.

Memorial sites and getting around

In Jebenhausen, a suggested circular route takes you to sites connected with Jewish history and remembrance. If you include this route in your plans, check current access arrangements at each site. The Göppingen district of Faurndau has a railway stop and a rail connection on the Filstal timetable. If you plan to travel by train, check the current timetables before your trip. These two pointers can help you take different destinations and travel options into account without combining them into a single route.

In the Göppingen district: trails and landscapes

Beyond the city, Göppingen district offers more ways to shape your trip. The Löwenpfade are circular hiking trails ranging from 3 to 24 kilometres. They can be walked in either direction and are signposted and marked both ways. At each starting point, an information board shows the route, elevation profile and sights along the way. The 35-kilometre Obstroute offers a family-friendly way to explore the region’s orchard landscape—a different focus from the hiking trails.

For a longer cycling trip, the 186-kilometre “Albtäler” route runs through Göppingen district and the neighbouring districts of Heidenheim and Alb-Donau-Kreis. It has been awarded four stars by the German Cyclists’ Association (ADFC). The district also has 20 designated nature reserves covering a total area of 2,887 hectares.

Discover more destinations

Böhmenkirch, Bad Überkingen, Gruibingen, Ebersbach An Der Fils, Hohenstadt, Aichelberg, Adelberg, Albershausen

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