Veringenstadt: Town Hall, Paintings and Caves

Veringenstadt brings together the history of its town hall, paintings, caves and a riverside route, offering a variety of ways to explore. Dating from 1415, the town hall is considered the oldest in Hohenzollern and has been in continuous municipal use. In the same building, the local history museum displays Palaeolithic finds from Neanderthals, as well as the witch’s shirt and instruments of torture from the 1680 witch trial of Anna Kramer, known as Bader-Ann. This brings early history and evidence from that trial together in one museum.

Town Hall History and Paintings

The Strübhaus focuses on a different subject: It was the home and workshop of the Strüb family of painters. It presents faithful reproductions of the family’s paintings and medieval painting techniques—from making the colours to applying them to panels. The difference in subject matter from the local history museum is clear: here, the focus is on a family of painters, reproductions and the stages of the craft; there, on archaeological finds and objects from a witch trial.

The town and museum tour is available on request. It includes visits to the local history museum, the Bergschule and the Strübhaus, information about Veringenstadt’s caves, and a walk along the “Living Lauchert” riverside path.

Castle, Bergschule and Event Spaces

Veringen Castle is a ruin on a high ridge encircled by the Lauchert, above St. Nicholas Parish Church. The hilltop castle was probably built between 1100 and 1130 by Count Marquard of the Counts of Veringen; it was mentioned in 1134. The uncertain dating and the documented mention provide two distinct points of reference for the castle’s history.

The former Bergschule in Veringenstadt has been extensively renovated and designed based on ideas by artists Ilse Wolf and her daughter Katja Morrison. The Grafensaal and the Blue Hall provide space for exhibitions and cultural events of all kinds. Together, these places reflect different facets of cultural life: from the medieval castle to the design of the former school and on to exhibitions and events.

Between the River, Old Town and Caves

The “Living Lauchert” riverside path follows the river in a semicircular loop around Veringenstadt’s historic old town, running between the upper and lower Lauchert bridges. Information boards along the path cover topics relating to the formation and use of the watercourse. The river and old town give this route its distinctive focus.

The cave trail leads to five large show caves and draws on the idea that Neanderthals and cave bears once shared their habitat there. By contrast, the Zillenbiller circular trail passes historic sights in Veringenstadt. This offers a choice of different themes: the river and its history, the show caves and their prehistoric interpretation, or historic sights along a circular route.

For hiking and cycling, the “In the Lauchert Valley” map covers 26 hiking routes and 10 cycling routes. The routes are very well signposted and maintained by the Swabian Alb Association. As the routes covered by the map may change, check the current edition when making specific plans.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Sigmaringen

In the wider destination of Sigmaringen, Sigmaringen Castle offers its own historical highlight: It evolved from a medieval castle into a princely residence and is considered a landmark of Sigmaringen. Castle tours cover almost 1,000 years of Hohenzollern family history. The Zündapp Museum at the Zoller-Hof Brewery in Sigmaringen displays more than 100 exhibits from the motorcycle brand.

Discover more destinations: Sauldorf, Sigmaringendorf, Scheer, Meßkirch, Inzigkofen, Schwenningen, Beuron, Wald.

Go to the wider travel overview: Sigmaringen.