Discover Gerlingen: History, Forest and Outdoor Activities

Gerlingen combines impressive architectural history, insights into earlier ways of life and opportunities to get active outdoors. St Peter’s Church, the town museum, the forest discovery trail and the pump track each offer something different. You can shape your stay around your interests: culture and history, nature experiences or an active time on your bike.

Architectural history and places of remembrance

The oldest part of today’s St Peter’s Church in Gerlingen is its 35-metre-high tower. The nave was built from 1463 until after 1495 by the building workshop of Peter von Koblenz and Hans Wunderer of Pfaffenhofen. The tower and nave thus provide two specific points of reference for the church’s architectural history.

The tomb of Johann Caspar Schiller, Friedrich Schiller’s father, and Christiane Karoline, known as Nanette, is located outside the choir. She was Johann Caspar Schiller’s sister; both died in 1796. The site connects the history of St Peter’s Church with two people known by name and a precisely identified year in history.

Town museum and Gerlingen culture

The Gerlingen Town Museum is housed in a 200-year-old schoolhouse and a neighbouring residential building. Its permanent exhibitions focus on everyday life in earlier times, as well as emigration and mobility. These varied themes offer more than one way to explore the history of the town and its residents, ranging from everyday experiences to movement and relocation.

The museum also presents two major special exhibitions each year, with an accompanying programme and cultural education activities. It is worth checking the current exhibition dates before planning a visit. Directly in front of the town museum, the KulturKiosk displays historical tools and equipment from crafts and agriculture. The town walking route offers another perspective: it was established in 1980 by the Gerlingen Local History Association, is regularly updated and now includes 32 stops.

Gerlingen’s Hungarian German culture also includes the now traditional Bundesschwaben balls and cultural conferences. Both events take place annually. If you would like to include one in your stay, check the latest dates.

Countryside, forest and cycling activities

Gerlingen’s district has a varied landscape: to the north it is part of the Strohgäu, the slope up to the higher ground forms the middle section, and the Glems Forest lies on the plateau. The forest discovery trail in Gerlingen Forest is particularly suited to families with children. Its interactive stations offer insights into the forest and its inhabitants. It provides a different way to explore the area than the historical themes of the church and museum.

Those interested in cycling can visit the pump track at Roter Platz, by the school centre. The paved cycling track measures 36 by 24 metres and has numerous hills and bends that riders navigate by shifting their weight rhythmically. The ADFC Strohgäu also offers after-work cycling tours for cyclists from Gerlingen, Ditzingen and Korntal-Münchingen. Check the latest dates and participation information in advance.

Gerlingen as a base for your stay

The connection to Stuttgart may also be a factor when planning your trip: Stuttgart Transport and Tariff Association’s U6 light rail line connects the Gerlingen terminus with the state capital’s main station in 27 minutes. Check the latest timetable and connection before travelling. This will help you work out how the light rail journey fits into your plans for the day.

If you are particularly interested in architectural history and museum topics, St Peter’s Church and the town museum are natural starting points for planning your trip. For time outdoors, consider the forest discovery trail, Gerlingen’s varied landscapes and the pump track, each of which may suit different interests. If you are planning trips to Stuttgart, you can also include the U6 in your plans. Search for accommodation based on which of these themes matter most during your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Schwieberdingen, Sachsenheim, Vaihingen an der Enz, Großbottwar, Kornwestheim, Bönnigheim, Möglingen and Ludwigsburg.

Return to the main travel overview: Ludwigsburg.