Rutesheim is on a medieval Steinstraße or Stone Route that went from Pforzheim via Rutesheim to today’s Cannstatt district in Stuttgart.
To be honest, it’s not like there’s a lot of sightseeing to do in town. There are only three “tourist attractions,” which is the historical Town Hall, the Evangelical St. Johannes Church, and the town’s white Wasserturm or Water Tower.
Wait, I almost forgot one thing! Rutesheim has the Obstsortenanlage Häsel, a plant with over 190 sorts of fruit! Although technically not necessarily an attraction, it’s where you can come pick all your own apples, pears, and cherries. I’m betting some of those cherries might find their way into a chocolaty Black Forest Cake. :-)
Despite not having a huge “shopping list” of things to see, this town always seems to have a festival or market going on. One of the biggest festivals is Fastnacht, held in February. This is a huge Mardi Gras event before the days of Lent begin. Oh, just consider it a really good reason to go off your diet.
March brings on the Krämermarkt (held at the Marktplatz); and April is when Rutesheim holds its Ostermarkt (this time at the Festhalle). Who cares if you don’t know much German, meet everyone in town at the Osterfrühstück (Easter Breakfast, held at the Markuskirche & also in April).
Then you’ve got the Flohmarkt (Flea Market) in May, the Town Festival (again at the Marktplatz) in June, the Summer Festival in August, and the Autumn Festival in October. Finish out the year at the Christmas Bazaar and Advents Market in November.
Oh well… it might be a good thing that I don’t live here in Rutesheim. With all the awesome food served at these numerous festivals & markets — I’d probably soon weigh more than the town’s bully Water Tower. ;-)
