Discover Reilingen: History, Nature and the Asparagus Route

If you’re looking for a hotel in Reilingen, you can choose what to explore based on the themes you’d like your stay to focus on. The town brings together a clearly dated history of churches and buildings, historic landmarks, two named routes and nature trails. There is also a seasonal connection to asparagus cuisine. The places and special features below offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Routes through Reilingen

The Baden Asparagus Route runs through Reilingen along the L 599. The Bertha Benz Memorial Route also passes through the town. Reilingen is therefore connected to two routes with different names: one is called the Baden Asparagus Route, and the other the Bertha Benz Memorial Route. Both offer their own way to explore the area; the buildings and nature trails, by contrast, tell the stories of specific places and their history.

Architectural history and historic landmarks

The Protestant Church of Reilingen was built in 1819/20 by Gustav Frommel and Friedrich Weinbrenner in the Weinbrenner style. Its construction dates, architects and style give the church a clearly defined historical context. Another example of Reilingen’s architectural history is the listed Franconian farmstead at Hauptstraße 12. It consists of two buildings with gables facing the street and an elaborately decorated half-timbered gateway dating from 1810. The property is evidence of a large farm typical of the area around 1800. The date of the gateway and the historical classification of the farmstead describe different aspects of the ensemble.

Wersau Castle is also part of the town’s history. It was once one of the largest and most important castle complexes in the Electoral Palatinate. Its functions at the time included monitoring important road connections and serving as a customs station. The historic inn “Zum Löwen” was first mentioned as an inn in 1435. Together, these landmarks offer different perspectives on Reilingen: architectural forms and dates at the church and farmstead, the castle’s former functions, and the inn’s early mention.

Nature trails by the lake and in the forest

The nature trail around Reilingen Lake is a circular route. Information boards explain the animal and plant species living in the lake ecosystem, local conditions, and the area’s importance and need for protection. The trail combines nature observation with information about the ecosystem and its conservation. Fragments of the skull of the “Reilingen Man” were also found at Reilingen Lake. He is described as a late form of Homo erectus, dating from 250,000 to 300,000 years ago.

Another nature area is Reilinger Eck: the forest nature trail there leads through a 323-hectare protected forest that extends across the districts of Walldorf and Reilingen. While the trail by the lake is a circular route focusing on the lake ecosystem, the forest trail passes through a woodland area that spans both districts. Reilingen thus offers nature themes by the lake and in the forest, without the trails forming a single route.

Asparagus as a seasonal highlight

Restaurants in Reilingen serve asparagus dishes during asparagus season. If this culinary connection matters to your trip, take its seasonal nature into account when planning. This does not imply a specific restaurant or year-round availability of asparagus dishes.

Reilingen within the wider destination of Rhein-Neckar-Kreis

The wider destination of Rhein-Neckar-Kreis also encompasses a range of themes and places. In Schwetzingen, the Electoral Palace features a Rococo theatre and a world-famous park. In Ladenburg, much of the historic townscape still reflects the Middle Ages and, in part, the Roman period. The Hockenheimring in Hockenheim is a popular attraction for motorsport enthusiasts. These examples highlight different aspects of Rhein-Neckar-Kreis and complement Reilingen’s local history and nature themes with further options for choosing a destination. Asparagus has also been grown in Schwetzingen for around 350 years, offering a distinct historical connection to the asparagus theme within the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Dossenheim, Helmstadt-Bargen, Zuzenhausen, Ladenburg, Hockenheim, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Leimen, Neckarbischofsheim.

Go to the wider travel overview: Rhein-Neckar-Kreis.