Discover Renchen

Renchen brings together cultural history and outdoor activities in a variety of ways. The Simplicissimus House is dedicated to the reception history of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen; fountains and a monument also reference the writer and his work. There is also an exhibition on the town’s history, cultural events in summer and several routes of different lengths and formats. When planning your visit, you can choose from a range of interests: local history and culture, or a walk or bike ride.

Cultural history in its many facets

The Simplicissimus House is next to Renchen Town Hall and is a museum dedicated to the reception history of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen. It is open to visitors; audio guides are available on request. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. Renchen’s local history exhibition offers a different perspective on the past, with archaeological finds, original objects, models and works of art on display. The reception history of an author and various records of the town’s history thus offer distinct points of cultural interest side by side.

The Mummelsee Fountain also references Grimmelshausen’s work. It artistically explores the Mummelsee theme in his “Adventurous Simplicissimus Teutsch.” The Grimmelshausen Monument tells another story: The stone was originally intended as a memorial to the insurgents shot during the Revolution of 1848–49. It was brought to Renchen, reworked as the Grimmelshausen Monument and unveiled in 1879. Together, the museum, exhibition, fountain and monument offer different ways to explore literature and local history, rather than repeating a single theme.

Routes between Renchen, Ulm and Erlach

The 8.7 km route connects Renchen with the districts of Ulm and Erlach. As it uses almost exclusively cycle paths, it is suitable for a short bike ride as well as a hike. The 9.3 km Mauritius Legends Circular Trail follows a different route: It starts at the Mergelgrube in Renchen, passes through Renchen, Ulm and Erlach, and returns to the Mergelgrube.

The Renchen nature trail is an approximately 9 km circular route. It starts at the train station and runs through the Rench lowlands; signposts bearing a stork symbol mark the route. The trails therefore differ in both length and format: One connects Renchen with two districts, the legends trail returns to its starting point, and the nature trail is also a loop. This gives you specific information to help tailor your choice of route to your plans for the day. Check local trail conditions before setting off.

Summer programme in the town park

During the summer months, local associations put on a varied programme of cultural events and festivities in Renchen’s historic town park. The individual events vary.

The wider Ortenau district

As a broader travel destination, the Ortenau district offers a wider landscape setting: it lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The district has 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares, extending from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This regional perspective complements Renchen’s cultural attractions and trails without treating them as the same experience.

Rulantica in Rust is also part of the wider range of attractions in the Ortenau district. It offers year-round water fun for the whole family, with numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions. The facilities also include Hyggedal, a relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is also located in the municipality of Rust. These regional destinations offer a different kind of outing from Renchen’s museums, town park and trails.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Durbach, Steinach, Rust, Friesenheim, Nordrach, Schuttertal, Fischerbach, Schwanau.

For the broader travel overview: Ortenau district.