Grötzingen: Moor, Baggersee und Ortsgeschichte

In Grötzingen, nature and local history come together. They include the “Weingartener Moor-Bruchwald Grötzingen” nature reserve, Grötzingen quarry lake and the Karlsruhe-Grötzingen Biodiversity Trail, as well as Augustenburg Palace, the Protestant church and the historic memorial trail. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: landscapes and habitats on the one hand, and architectural and commemorative history on the other.

Moorland and habitats

The core area of the “Weingartener Moor-Bruchwald Grötzingen” nature reserve has a boardwalk and an observation platform. The area is a refuge for numerous endangered plant and animal species; it is considered to be of European importance, particularly for amphibians. The boardwalk and platform offer different vantage points across the landscape, while the reserve’s significance is closely tied to its habitats.

Grötzingen quarry lake is surrounded by wet woodland and the fen of the “Weingartener Moor” and lies in the landscape known as the “Kinzig-Murg-Rinne”. The lake is also a habitat for many animal species. Great crested grebes and little grebes nest on its quiet shores. These natural features set the lake apart from a place simply to spend time by the water: the wet woodland, fen and birdlife are also part of its character.

Trails and water for your own itinerary

The Karlsruhe-Grötzingen Biodiversity Trail passes orchards and dense hedgerows, goes through an old holloway and follows the edge of the forest. Along the way, there are views of the Rhine Plain and the foothills of the Black Forest. The trail thus brings together several different landscapes rather than focusing on just one. You can start at the car park by the Grötzingen Friends of Nature House or at the car park at Reithohle. The Pfinzgau-West Natura Trail starts at the Knittelberghaus Friends of Nature House in Karlsruhe-Grötzingen.

Different rules apply to the two parts of Grötzingen quarry lake. In the south, gentle recreational activities such as swimming and sailing are permitted with restrictions. In the north, which lies within the “Weingartener Moor – Bruchwald Grötzingen” nature reserve, swimming and water sports are not permitted. If you are planning a visit to the lake, check the latest local notices before you go. This helps you take account of the different conditions in each area without assuming that swimming or water sports are permitted across the entire lake.

Buildings and places of remembrance

Augustenburg Palace links its present-day appearance to a specific episode in local history: Margravine Augusta Maria had the building remodelled between 1697 and 1699, giving it its present appearance and name. The Protestant church in Grötzingen also has a long history. It was built in 1255 as a rural chancel-tower church.

The historic memorial trail in Grötzingen was inaugurated in April 1991 with 38 plaques. They commemorated former locations in Grötzingen. The original wooden plaques have since been replaced with metal ones. This gives the trail a different focus from the palace and church: it centres on former village locations and their remembrance.

More themes in the wider Karlsruhe destination

The wider Karlsruhe destination also offers its own nature and cultural attractions. Since 1997, the ZKM has been housed in Hallenbau A, a former industrial building listed as a historic monument. The building was constructed from 1915 to 1918 and was then among Germany’s most architecturally advanced buildings. The State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe has permanent exhibitions on native and exotic wildlife, as well as rocks, minerals and fossils. Karlsruhe Zoological City Garden combines a zoo and city park. Another route option is the approximately ten-kilometre “AugenBlick” circular trail in Karlsruhe. It can be started at various points, for example at Turmberg.

You can tailor your search to the themes that matter for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Durlach, Oststadt.

Return to the main travel overview: Karlsruhe.