Veringenstadt: Town Hall History, Caves and Lauchert Trails

Veringenstadt offers several distinct highlights: its town hall, which is still used by the local government; collections relating to the Stone Age and the town’s history; the paintings of the Strüb family; and trails along the Lauchert and to show caves. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth distinguishing between historic sites, themed trail descriptions and a guided tour. These offerings shed light on different aspects of the town and can be prioritized according to your interest in history, art, waterways or landscapes.

Town Hall, Museums and Castle: Historic Highlights

Veringenstadt Town Hall was built in 1415, is considered the oldest town hall in Hohenzollern and has been in continuous use by the local government. The local history museum is housed in the town hall. It displays Stone Age finds associated with Neanderthals, as well as the witch’s shirt and instruments of torture from the 1680 witch trial of Anna Kramer, known as Bader-Ann. The historical period covered thus ranges from prehistoric finds to a specific 17th-century trial.

The Strübhaus was the home and workshop of the Strüb family of painters. It presents faithful reproductions of the family’s paintings as well as medieval painting techniques—from making the paints to applying them to panels. The focus is therefore on both the works and the steps involved in creating them.

Veringen Castle is a ruin on a high ridge surrounded by the Lauchert, above St. Nicholas Parish Church. The hilltop castle was probably built between 1100 and 1130 by Count Marquard of the Counts of Veringen; it was mentioned in 1134. Its ruinous state, location and estimated date of construction shape its historical context.

Trails Along the Lauchert and to the Caves

The “Living Lauchert” riverside trail follows the river in a semicircular loop around the historic old town, running between the upper and lower Lauchert bridges. Information panels cover various topics relating to the river’s formation and use. The route description thus combines following the river with information about the Lauchert itself.

The Zillenbiller circular trail passes historic sights in Veringenstadt. The difference between the two trails lies in their focus: the riverside trail highlights the course of the river, the loop around the old town and the panels about the Lauchert, while the Zillenbiller circular trail focuses on historic sights.

The cave circular trail leads to five large show caves and explores the idea that Neanderthals and cave bears once shared their habitat there. It thus complements the town’s history and art with a prehistoric theme centered on the caves.

Guided Tours and Trip Planning

If you would like to combine several of these themes on a guided tour, the town and museum tour includes visits to the local history museum, the Bergschule and the Strübhaus, information about Veringenstadt’s caves, and a walk along the “Living Lauchert” riverside trail. The town and museum tour is available on request. It covers everything from collections and buildings to a riverside walk; each of the individual circular trails has its own focus.

For cycling and hiking, the “In the Lauchert Valley” map includes 26 hiking routes and 10 cycling routes. The trails are very well signposted and maintained by the Swabian Alb Association. As the routes listed on the map may be revised, check the current edition when choosing a specific route.

In addition, the Grafensaal and Blauer Saal provide space for exhibitions and cultural events of all kinds. Veringenstadt’s former Bergschule was extensively renovated and designed based on ideas by artists Ilse Wolf and her daughter Katja Morrison. Alongside collections and themed trails, the town’s cultural highlights also include event spaces and the artistic design of a former school building.

Discover more destinations: Sigmaringendorf, Schwäblishausen, Thiergarten, Mengen, Gammertingen, Herbertingen, Wald, Bad Saulgau

Go to the main travel overview: Sigmaringen.