Staufer Festival Schwäbisch Gmünd
The Staufer Festival celebrates the medieval past of Germany's oldest Staufer city with knight tournaments, a medieval market and historical plays. It takes place in summer around the old town.
Plizio Visual Lab
Schwäbisch Gmünd
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Schwäbisch Gmünd
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Holy Cross Minster, the largest Gothic hall church in Southern Germany, for a moment of architectural awe.
- The market square (Marktplatz) is the best spot for a coffee; look for the magnificent patrician houses from the Staufer era.
- Climb the 'Himmelsstürmer' lookout tower in the Himmelsgarten for a panoramic view over the Rems Valley.
- Park your car at the P1 parking garage near the train station for easy walking access to the historic old town.
- Look for gold and silver details throughout the city, reflecting its long heritage as a center for jewelry making.
🍽 Food
🍽
Maultaschen
Try these traditional stuffed pasta pockets in the historic inns around the market square.
🍽
Spätzle mit Soß'
A staple of Swabian cuisine, best enjoyed in the family-run guesthouses of the old town.
🍽
Ofenschlupfer
A sweet bread pudding with apples, often served in the cozy cafes on Johannisplatz.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Weekly Market
Held every Wednesday and Saturday at Münsterplatz for regional specialties and fresh local produce.
🛍
Goldsmith Workshops
Find unique, handcrafted jewelry by local masters in the narrow side streets of the old town.
🛍
Remsgalerie
A modern shopping mall near the city center offering a wide selection of international brands.
🧘
City Garden (Stadtgarten)
A beautiful park featuring a Rococo palace, convenient for a peaceful walk away from the crowds.
🧘
Taubental
A forested area on the outskirts with quiet hiking trails and nature paths.
🧘
Himmelsgarten Wetzgau
Spacious green areas and themed gardens on the plateau overlooking the city.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Schwäbisch Gmünd is located in the Rems Valley at the edge of the Swabian Jura and holds over eight hundred years of history as a Free Imperial City. The town gained significant historical importance starting in the 17th century through the gold and silversmithing trades, a tradition that remains active in local workshops today. The architectural centerpiece is the Heilig-Kreuz-Münster, a massive 14th-century Gothic hall church notably designed without a traditional bell tower. The nearby Johannisplatz, featuring the Romanesque St. John's Church, adds to the cohesive historical townscape. For outdoor recreation, the Wetzgau landscape park features the Himmelsstürmer, a 36-meter-high timber observation tower built during a previous state garden show. Its position along the Staufer Route makes the town a well-suited base for exploring the surrounding imperial mountains, including the Hohenstaufen. Bakeries and cafes around the market square serve typical Swabian baked goods, such as the regional Gmünder pretzel.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Holy Cross Minster · St. John's Church · Market Square
- Nearby: Lorch (8 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 68 | 50 | 57 | 47 | 89 | 73 | 89 | 83 | 56 | 63 | 63 | 70 |
Live webcam – Schwäbisch Gmünd
See what it looks like near Schwäbisch Gmünd right now.
Alfdorf: Rigel-Sternwarte · 6.4 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Staufer city
- Holy Cross Minster
- On the Rems
- Jewelry tradition
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:512.4 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
Start your day at the magnificent Market Square, the heart of the oldest Staufer city. Marvel at the Minster, a Gothic masterpiece, before strolling through historic alleys to medieval towers. The afternoon is for relaxation in the City Garden and the Baroque splendor of the Rococo Palace. Conclude your trip by climbing up to the Salvator, a unique rock-cut chapel offering wide panoramic views.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Schwäbisch Gmünd Market Square
Admire the Baroque facades and the Old Town Hall.
🚶 8'0.25 km
🚶 11'0.39 km
🚶 10'0.33 km
🚶 9'0.32 km
🚶 14'0.57 km
🚶 13'0.5 km
09:00→17:153.5 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 32–44 €Entries 26€ · Transport 12€
Explore Schwäbisch Gmünd actively by bike. Start in the center and follow the 'Ways to Art' sculpture trail along the Rems river. Visit the architectural gems of the old town and take a break in the City Garden near the Rococo Palace. The route leads through parks and historic streets before taking on the challenging but rewarding climb to the Salvator rock.
← swipe for more places →
🚲 9'0.94 km
🚲 7'0.7 km
🚲 5'0.39 km
🚲 6'0.52 km
🚲 4'0.1 km
🚲 5'0.31 km
🚲 6'0.53 km
09:00→17:073.7 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 26€ · Transport 1€
This car tour combines the historic treasures of Gmünd's old town with highlights located slightly further out. Park centrally to explore the Minster and Market Square on foot. Then, drive to the City Garden and the Rococo Palace, a Baroque gem. Enjoy the most spectacular views after a short drive to the Salvator, a unique pilgrimage site situated right on the slope.
← swipe for more places →
🚗 4'0.25 km
🚗 4'0.39 km
🚗 4'0.2 km
🚗 5'0.62 km
🚗 3'0.02 km
🚗 5'0.52 km
🚗 9'1.74 km
Sights in the town Schwäbisch Gmünd (17)
Holy Cross Minster
South Germany's largest Gothic hall church, built by the renowned Parler family of architects.
St. John's Church
A Romanesque pillar basilica from the 13th century featuring a prominent tower and Baroque interior.
Market Square
One of Southern Germany's finest squares, adorned with the Mary Fountain and grand Baroque townhouses.
Silverware Museum Ott-Pauser
A preserved 19th-century jewelry factory showcasing the city's long-standing silver tradition.
Museum im Prediger🏛 museum
The museum is located in the former Prediger Dominican monastery and showcases local art and history.
Königsturm🗼 tower
A historical defensive tower of the medieval city fortifications that once served as a prison.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the city called the Gold and Silver City?
Because of the centuries-old tradition in gold and silversmithing craftsmanship.
Which church is particularly worth seeing?
The Holy Cross Minster, a significant Gothic hall church without towers.
What is the Weleda Experience Center?
A place with a medicinal plant garden and insights into natural cosmetics production.
Where is the best view?
From the Salvator, a pilgrimage site on the slope with chapels and a great view.
Are there events on the market square?
Yes, markets and festivals regularly take place in the historic setting.
Schwäbisch Gmünd: where is it located?
Schwäbisch Gmünd is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Schwäbisch Gmünd: what is there to see?
Highlights include Holy Cross Minster, St. John's Church, Market Square.
Schwäbisch Gmünd: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Schwäbisch Gmünd: why is it worth visiting?
Schwäbisch Gmünd is located in the Rems Valley at the edge of the Swabian Jura and holds over eight hundred years of history as a Free Imperial City.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →
Nearby cities
Stuttgart
Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is idyllically located in a valley basin surrounded by vineyards.
Heilbronn
Heilbronn is known as the city of 'Käthchen'.
Ulm
Ulm on the Danube is known for Ulm Minster with the world's tallest church steeple and as the birthplace of Albert Einstein.
Pforzheim
Pforzheim is called the gold city.
Reutlingen
Reutlingen is located at the foot of the Swabian Jura in Baden-Württemberg.
Esslingen am Neckar
A former Free Imperial City featuring one of Germany's best-preserved medieval old towns and a prestigious sparkling wine tradition.
Esslingen
Esslingen has one of the oldest half-timbered old towns.
Tübingen
Tübingen is a university city on the Neckar with a medieval flair, known for its scholars and the Tübingen punting boats.
Ludwigsburg
A magnificent baroque city north of Stuttgart, famous for its grand residential palace and the 'Blooming Baroque' gardens.
Aalen
Aalen is home to the largest Roman museum in southern Germany.
Sindelfingen
Sindelfingen is an important location for the car industry.
Göppingen
Göppingen is a lively city in Baden-Württemberg, nestled at the foot of the Swabian Jura and famous as the headquarters of the model rail…
Waiblingen
A historic Staufer city in the Rems valley, known for its picturesque riverside old town and strong industrial base.
Heidenheim an der Brenz
Heidenheim an der Brenz is a major industrial city in the Ostalb region, topped by the mighty Hellenstein Castle ruins.
Leonberg
Leonberg is a vibrant city near Stuttgart, famous for the historic Pomeranzengarten and the Leonberger dog breed.