Zimmern unter der Burg: History and Landscape

Zimmern unter der Burg combines local history with a landscape on the western edge of the Swabian Alb. The town’s name refers to a castle that had already been destroyed by 1314 at the latest. Church architecture, a former rectory and a local carnival figure offer further points of historical interest. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider both cultural topics and trails in the surrounding area.

Landscape and Trails Around Zimmern unter der Burg

Zimmern unter der Burg lies in the Keuper forest on the western edge of the Swabian Alb. The valleys of the Schwarzenbach and its source streams are deeply incised. The terrain is therefore a defining feature of the landscape. The town is also part of the Upper Schlichem Valley recreational area.

There are numerous hiking and cycling trails around Zimmern unter der Burg for active recreation. In the Upper Schlichem Valley, routes across hills, along streams and past rock formations are highlighted. This lets you choose between trails in the area around the town and the region’s broader range of landscapes. Which route suits your plans depends on the tour you choose; check its current conditions in advance.

Castle History, Church and Civic Centre

The castle from which Zimmern unter der Burg takes its name had already been destroyed by 1314 at the latest. A St James’s Chapel was mentioned in 1432. The Catholic parish church of St James dates from 1894. It is a plastered hall church with a transept, rectangular choir, sacristy and a tower flanking the choir. The church’s construction date and architectural features give it a clearly defined profile among the town’s historical attractions.

The civic centre points to other historical uses: it was originally the von Hornstein family’s castle and later served as a rectory. Construction phases of the building are dated to 1764 and 1842. The local carnival figure also draws on the castle motif. The Zimmern Castle Fool is a white-costumed carnival figure created in 1974; the castle-shaped headpiece symbolises the town’s name.

Practical Information

Public transport in Zimmern unter der Burg is provided by bus services operated by the Neckar-Alb-Donau Transport Association. As timetables may change, check your connection for your travel date. Public facilities include the Schafhof/Grundbühl barbecue area. If needed, find out about local access conditions before using it.

Bookings and reservations for the holiday home at Winkelstraße 21/1 can be arranged through the designated contact. Check the booking process before travelling. This allows you to plan the local options separately: bus connections, a public facility and a reservation.

More Destinations in the Wider Zollernalbkreis Region

In the wider Zollernalbkreis region, Hohenzollern Castle offers another way to explore the region’s architectural history. The present-day castle is the third fortress on Zollerberg. After its two predecessors were destroyed and fell into ruin, it was rebuilt between 1850 and 1867. Today, it offers a cultural programme featuring numerous concerts, family days, open-air cinema and exhibitions. It is open to visitors every day and offers a look inside its historic rooms. As visitor information and dates may change, check them before planning a visit.

The 33-kilometre Schlichem Hiking Trail is also part of the regional hiking network in the Zollernalbkreis. It runs from Meßstetten-Tieringen to Epfendorf and is known for its small waterfalls, wet meadows and steep-sided gorge. This longer route offers a different scale from the numerous trails around Zimmern unter der Burg: one option is a specific 33-kilometre route, while the other is the network of trails around the town.

Discover more destinations: Jungingen, Weilen unter den Rinnen, Balingen, Nusplingen, Dormettingen, Hechingen, Grosselfingen, Hausen am Tann.

Back to the wider travel guide: Zollernalbkreis.