Hermann Hesse is back. He's right there on the Nikolausbrücke, in life-size dimensions. Calw’s most famous son, the author and Nobel Prize winner for literature. His bronze statue adorns the historic Nagoldübergang. This is where he spent his childhood. In an idyllic small town, which he held dear to his heart throughout his life. Much of the townscape from that period still survives today. For instance, the marketplace with its picturesque half-timbered buildings. It was in one of these that Hermann Hesse was born on the 2nd of July 1877. Another is home to the Hermann Hesse Museum today. This houses the largest exhibition about his life. At the moment it is being renovated. It is due to reopen early in 2024 having undergone a complete redesign.
In Calw, culture and tradition are closely combined. A Northern Black Forest town with bags of charm and history. As demonstrated by the town's museum in the elegant Palais Vischer. Other places worth visiting are the tannery museum and the prison tower "Der Lange". Themed trails with QR codes, audio and text files are an easy way to access the centre. There are 200 listed buildings here.
One truly exceptional historical monument is in the district of Hirsau. The romantic ruins of St. Peter and Paul are evidence of one of the most important monasteries in the Middle Ages. A previous building was dedicated to St. Aurelius. A well-known choir, the "Aurelius Sängerknaben", now carries this name all over the world. Plenty of visitors also come to Calw because of Hermann Hesse. Every now and again, the great Hesse fan Udo Lindenberg comes to stay in the town. Occasionally he even holds concerts here. He loves to stroll through the streets in town. As do so many visitors, who love the individual character of the shopping opportunities here. A small town with no stress. In close proximity to the Black Forest's magnificent natural landscape.
