Bönnigheim: History and Wine

Bönnigheim combines architectural heritage, a wine-growing tradition and its own cultural offerings. When planning your trip, you can explore the town from different angles: the old town tells the story of a long political history, the wine shop and surviving wine presses highlight the wine theme, and the town forest offers its own connection to the landscape. The museum and the events mentioned here also provide a variety of perspectives.

Old Town and Architectural Heritage

For almost 400 years, various knightly families held hereditary estates in Bönnigheim and shared administration of the town. Around 1370, under the suzerainty of the Archbishopric of Mainz, the so-called Ganerbiat was established.

St. Cyriacus Church is one of the defining medieval buildings in Bönnigheim’s old town. Its transept, resting on columns between the nave and the choir, is one of the few rood screens preserved in Württemberg. Here, the term refers to the transept connecting the two parts of the church. The Stone House was built in 1295 and is Bönnigheim’s oldest building. Together, the church and the Stone House offer two distinct ways to explore the town’s architectural heritage.

Wine Tradition, Wine Shop and Museum

Winegrowing in Bönnigheim was documented more than 1,200 years ago. Three of the seven medieval wine presses have survived.

At the Bönnigheim wine shop, you can taste and buy wines on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. If you plan to make this visit a definite part of your trip, confirm the details before you arrive. This will help you plan your visit to the wine shop around the stated opening hours or an agreed appointment.

The Arzney-Küche Museum showcases the production of “aqua vitae” as well as historical working methods used by alchemists and herbalists. Alongside wine and architectural history, it presents a distinct area of cultural history, spanning the wine-growing tradition and historical production methods and practices.

Events and Guided Tour

Events include a wine festival in Bönnigheim Castle courtyard, a museum night in the old town and the early summer fountain festival. These events offer different ways to shape your stay. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with one of these festivals, check the dates before making your plans.

The “Bönnigheim Wine Routes” guided tour also includes a visit to St. Cyriacus Church. Check the tour’s current schedule before making plans.

Town Forest and Regional Context

Bönnigheim Town Forest lies on the eastern edge of the Stromberg and is part of Stromberg-Heuchelberg Nature Park. This adds a landscape dimension to the town’s architectural and wine-related themes.

The wider destination of Ludwigsburg offers further, distinct points of interest. Terraced, steep vineyards along the Neckar and Enz rivers shape the landscape of Ludwigsburg district. Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe to have survived in its original form. The Celts’ Trail also links nine significant Celtic-era discoveries on a route of about 35 kilometers through Ludwigsburg district. These examples provide a regional context, while the old town, St. Cyriacus Church, the Stone House and the wine shop focus on Bönnigheim itself.

Discover more destinations: Mundelsheim, Markgröningen, Löchgau, Walheim, Steinheim An Der Murr, Korntal-Münchingen, Ludwigsburg, Bietigheim-Bissingen

Go to the broader travel overview: Ludwigsburg.