Marbach am Neckar is a pleasant little town and a perfect place to spend a day (or, two) wandering around the old medieval streets and the lush green countryside, or sampling many of the local wines that are produced here.
Marbach, only about 20 km northeast of Stuttgart, is the birthplace of the famous German poet, Friedrich Schiller, and his celebrity is really felt all around town. Especially now the house he was born in is a small museum dedicated to his life’s work.
You’ll learn more about his literary writings at the palatial looking Schiller Nationalmuseum und Deutches Literaturarchiv, one of the main archives of literature in all of Germany.
Another museum to visit is the Village Museum, housed one of the town’s many historic old buildings. It’s here that you’ll learn what life was like here in Marbach through the ages and all about the region’s viticulture (a glass of wine, anyone?).
Since Marbach is an old town from the Middle Ages, you’ll find some old churches like the Spiral Chapel built in 1433. Also visit the Alexanderkirche anytime, but a few times a year there are guided tours for a more in-depth look and the intricate artwork.
Another reminder of the Middle Ages is the remaining remnant of the old stadtmauer and the menacing towers. With a little ambition you can climb all 95 steps of the Upper Gate Tower, that stands some 40 meters high. Your exercise is richly rewarded with grand views of Marbach and the Marbacher City Castle.
After that, you’ll need a glass of wine to relax. Viticulture has been around for centuries and the town’s wine co-op is the place to go for some serious wine tasting. Take the wine out to forest for a picnic and unwind by the rolling hills and tree lined paths.
There are also many hiking, biking, and running tracks for traversing the countryside. Some of the cycle tracks carry on for some 20 to 40km. Marbach’s also very proud of its Sculpture Path, made by a few local artists.
You’ll no doubt fall in love with this little town that’s been around for centuries. Like one of the many fine wines found here, Marbach am Neckar has only gotten better with age.
