Between the northern edges of the mysterious Black Forest and the bustling city of Stuttgart is the quiet and historic Renningen. Topped to the north by the Stromberg-Heuchelberg nature park and to the south by the Schönbuch nature park, you won’t be short of some great scenery here!
You will find yourself here in the fertile and captivating Neckar valley, well known for its delightful combination of mountains, vineyards and forests. And it isn’t just today’s visitors who think so either!
This area has long been popular with humans — and there is plenty of stone age history to be found in and around the city to prove it.
More recently, the predominant culture here is a lingering Swabian and the local theaters like to perform in the old language to keep it alive. So, why not try out the Open Air Theater one summer night to get a taste of this rolling dialect.
You’ll also get a real taste of the outdoors: there is no roof or seating in this popular theater. The site is a very interesting use of the old quarry pits and the acoustics are fantastic — even if you don’t know what they are saying… ;-)
As with this entire region, the architecture waiting to be explored in Renningen city center will draw you through the recent centuries. Make sure you grab yourself a copy of the historic walk to lead the way so you know you won’t be missing anything.
The city center is dotted with historic buildings for you to see; so even if you take your own tour of the place, you won’t be disappointed. There is also a large number of timber-framed buildings here too — many boasting the local Fachwerk timber designs, and all unique.
With wide cobbled plazas all around, it is easy to get an uninterrupted view of some of these magnificent half-timbered works of art. All the time, the spire of St. Petruskirche stands proud above the roof of every other building — so make sure you take time to visit him too.
If all that looking up has worn you out, why not see Renningen from up high? Take one of the many trip offered locally for an early morning hot-air balloon ride over the city and surrounding valley. You couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day, could you?
Everyone sees it from ground-level — but you could get a whole new perspective on this well loved valley.
