Hohenlohe District: Culture among the Limes, Monasteries and Castles

Limes, landscapes and cycling routes

The UNESCO World Heritage Limes runs in a perfectly straight line through Hohenlohe District. Three Limes viewing platforms offer sweeping views across the landscape. So, if you are interested in the history of the Limes, you also have a reason to let your gaze wander across the surrounding area.

Numerous cycling routes make it possible to explore Hohenlohe District by bike. Along the way, cyclists experience the rolling Hohenlohe landscape, framed by the deeply incised river valleys of the Kocher, Jagst and Ohrn. The Kocher-Jagst Cycle Route passes through Krautheim. Thus, alongside the many cycling routes in the region, there is a specifically named route that runs through this town.

Monasteries, castles and townscapes

Schöntal Monastery lies in the Jagst Valley in Hohenlohe. The monastery church has an imposing Baroque façade with twin towers; the cloister contains the tomb of the knight Götz von Berlichingen. Neuenstein Castle tells a different story of architecture: the Hohenstaufen moated castle was expanded into a magnificent Renaissance residence in the 16th century. The permanent exhibition presents the collections of seven Hohenlohe castles. Guided tours of Neuenstein Castle take place on selected opening days; check the dates before your visit.

The two sites make distinct architectural statements: at Schöntal, the focus is on the Baroque façade with its twin towers; at Neuenstein, on the transformation of a moated castle into a Renaissance residence. If you would like to compare architectural histories, these features offer two clearly distinct starting points.

Forchtenberg is characterised by its medieval townscape, with an almost completely preserved town wall and numerous half-timbered houses. The landscape also has its own distinct contours: the Kocher river valley and the picturesque side valleys of the Kupfer, Sall and Wülfinger Bach shape the scenery. In Krautheim, the Hohenstaufen castle makes another striking impression. After the climb, its 28-metre-high keep offers views across the Jagst Valley. The Johanniter Museum in Krautheim documents the history of the Order of St John.

Events and local produce

The open-air cinema at the castle ruins in Forchtenberg attracts several thousand visitors every year. The Künzelsau Castle Stetten Festival has been held in the moat of Stetten Castle for more than 30 years: these open-air performances take place in late July or early August. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the exact dates in advance.

The Hohenlohe Wine Festival takes place in the marketplace in Öhringen. Visitors can buy and taste wine and spirits directly from Hohenlohe winemakers and distillers; the participating businesses vary.

Then plan the rest of your trip around the sightseeing and event dates that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Schöntal, Neuenstein, Öhringen, Sindringen, Weißbach, Bretzfeld, Forchtenberg, Mulfingen

Discover more destinations: Künzelsau, Waldenburg, Zweiflingen, Ingelfingen, Krautheim, Kupferzell, Pfedelbach, Niedernhall

See the overview of destinations in the wider region: Baden-Württemberg.