Schafhausen: Hiking and Local History

Schafhausen can be understood through the history of sheep farming, the “Follow the Shepherd” hike and historic buildings. Local themes bring together landscape and local history; the wider destination of Weil der Stadt offers its own hiking and museum attractions.

Schafhausen and the History of Sheep Farming

The name Schafhausen and the local landscape have historically been connected with sheep farming. The partly barren hillsides served as grazing land. Before the Würm was straightened in 1971, the river flowed shallowly and in several branches. This made it easier to cross with flocks and to wash the sheep. The place name, hillside landscape and course of the river are therefore part of a shared history of sheep farming.

Hiking Through the Steckental Valley

The “Follow the Shepherd” hike begins at the Three Linden Trees on the outskirts of Schafhausen, in the direction of Magstadt, and leads through the “Steckental” nature reserve. The Three Linden Trees are designated a natural monument. For orientation, the named starting point and the landscape through which the route passes can be distinguished. The hike connects Schafhausen with its surrounding area.

Church, Tithe Barn and Bakehouse

St. Cyriakus is a Protestant parish church with a Gothic core. The tithe barn was built in 1801 and is a historic building. Each summer, the “Open Barn Door Day” takes place there. On this occasion, visitors can view the interior; traditional crafts such as shoemaking and cooperage are also demonstrated. Event dates may vary, so it is advisable to check the schedule before your trip.

The bakehouse on Untere Straße was built in 1805 as a private blacksmith’s workshop. In 1855, the municipality bought the building and converted it into a bakehouse with a residence.

Hiking and Museums in the Wider Destination of Weil der Stadt

In the wider destination of Weil der Stadt, the Kepler Society and the town laid out a planetary trail in spring 2012 along a scenic hiking route in the northern Würm Valley. The signs for the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are located within the municipal area of Weil der Stadt. The trail is 10.1 kilometres long; walking time alone is about 2¾ hours. These figures include the endpoint at Neptune in neighbouring Tiefenbronn. The planetary trail can also be explored by bicycle. While the “Follow the Shepherd” hike leads through the Steckental valley, the planetary trail follows a hiking route in the northern Würm Valley.

The Kepler Museum is housed in the birthplace of astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) in Weil der Stadt. Some of his major works are on display, mostly in original editions. Modern presentation techniques, computer simulations and video presentations convey scientific fundamentals; individual exhibits may change.

The Weil der Stadt City Museum presents the town’s history as an interactive chronicle in 15 rooms on three floors. It is located in the former Schütz House on the market square. The ground floor focuses on the political history of the imperial city of Weil from the Middle Ages to the end of its status as an imperial free city in 1802. The Carnival Museum is dedicated to Weil der Stadt’s Fasnet: it explains why Weil der Stadt has been considered a carnival stronghold since the 17th century and how Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht became blended with Rhenish-Franconian carnival. Life-size figures illustrate various groups in Weil’s Fasnet.

Discover more destinations: Hausen An Der Würm

To the wider travel overview: Weil Der Stadt.