Schwanau: Riverine Landscape and Local History

For a hotel in Schwanau, the riverine landscape, water, and local history may influence your choice of destination. The municipal forest and the Elz Trail are highlights of the landscape; historic buildings are spread across several local districts.

Forest, Floodplain, and Water

The municipal forest covers a forest area of about 820 hectares between the Rhine and the motorway, extending across Allmannsweier, Nonnenweier, Ottenheim, and Wittenweier. Almost the entire municipal forest is officially designated as a recreational forest; future plans may change this classification. The varied woodland landscape offers opportunities for observing nature. The Elz Trail connects the local districts through the riverine landscape and offers views of the local floodplain. It runs along the Elz from Wittenweier to Nonnenweier.

The area’s connections to the water also vary: the Elz footbridge in the local district of Wittenweier offers direct access to the Rhine. In Wittenweier, boating enthusiasts use the Elz and the Old Rhine. Schwanau also has a harbor with four jetties and 102 berths. A Rhine crossing at Nonnenweier makes excursions to Alsace possible. If you plan to visit the Elz Trail or Elz footbridge, check the current route and access conditions; the availability and regulations for the Rhine crossing may also change. If planning a specific visit, also check the current berth regulations.

Local History Across Several Districts

The area’s history is reflected in a variety of buildings. In Allmannsweier, the Protestant parish church was built between 1781 and 1783. In Wittenweier, the 250-year-old rectory has been restored; it hosts community and cultural events, including the Sunday Café. The event program may change, so if you have a specific visit in mind, check the current schedule. In Ottenheim, the historic church tower has been rebuilt and is a prominent local landmark. The church’s construction period, the rectory’s use, and the tower’s role as a landmark each add a different dimension to a culturally oriented stay.

The wider setting: Ortenau District

Ortenau District lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. It encompasses 23 nature reserves covering a total of around 3,110 hectares; they extend from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. These include the 1,695-hectare Taubergießen Nature Reserve, one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg.

In Ortenau District, Rulantica offers year-round water fun for the whole family. Its many attractions include indoor and outdoor water activities; Rulantica also features Hyggedal, a relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust. In Gutach, a tour of the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum’s historic farmhouses shows how people in the Black Forest lived and worked up to 600 years ago. The MiMa in Oberwolfach displays unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach association.

Cultural attractions in other towns also form part of the region. The Gengenbach night watchmen’s public tours are free and require no registration. A tour includes 12 stops and the traditional night watchman’s song; check the current dates before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Allmannsweier, Lautenbach, Hausach, Seebach, Gutach, Schuttertal, Sasbach, Kehl.

For the broader travel overview: Ortenau District.