Korntal-Münchingen, a unification of Korntal and Münchingen, is located on the northwestern border of the city of Stuttgart — approximately only 10km from its city center — and to the west of the Porsche factory.
Korntal dates back to the year 1297, while Münchingen dates to around 1130. It seems the more turbulent history belongs to Münchingen, since most of the original town buildings were destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. Korntal, the younger town, is where most of the older buildings date back only to the 19th century.
The best way to see Korntal-Münchingen is by using each of its own circular route through its respective town. While in Korntal, or Grain Valley, you’ll find some great 19th century architecture as in the Large Hall, built in 1819. The Old City Hall dates from 1834, and the Landschloss Hotel was once the manor house of Baron von Görlitz. It’s been used as a hotel since 1819.
The Old Cemetery, once called the Funeral Garden, dates with graves prior to 1892, when it was no longer used. What is interesting enough about the Old Cemetery is that all the graves are aligned to the east!
Münchingen seems to be quite a bit older than its neighboring sister town. The half-timbered City Hall from 1687 replaced the original destroyed in the Thirty Years’ War in 1644. Also heavily damaged at the same time is the Johanneskirche with its tower from the 13th century. In what was once the Old School, a building from 1643, now houses the Local History Museum since 1986.
You need to head over towards the Hengel House, a charming house owned by the same family for over eight generations — little has changed on this house for some 200 years!
For other great buildings with history and charm, walk over to Schlossgasse 18, a true Münchinger farmhouse. And, the Backhaus (in Hintere Gasse) is a baking house dating from 1844.
Of course, no town is complete without a castle! Münchinger Schloss was owned by the Baron von Münchingen in 1558 on foundations of the original lock from 1304. When the castle was passed to the Baron von Harling in 1733, he built a new castle in a Rococo-Baroque style and connecting the old and new castle.
Korntal-Münchingen is easy to get to, being so near the city of Stuttgart. You’ll fall in love with it on its own merits for all its history and charm!