Schwäbisch Hall
has made a name for itself as an exceptional showcase for art. The
church steps serve as a theatrical stage, the church interior is an
art museum.
Formerly
associated with the Staufer family, the town became prosperous in the
Middle Ages due to the salt trade. A stroll through the winding
alleyways in the old town reveals this history in numerous buildings.
In particular, the marketplace is an architectural treasure. It
includes examples of architectural styles from Romantic to Rococo. On
the eastern edge, visitors will find the imposing external stairs
leading up to the wonderful gothic hall church of St. Michael.
In summer, the 53
steps are transformed into a breath-taking and steep open-air stage
with an absolutely unique character. Theatre enthusiasts can enjoy
extraordinary performances under the night sky. Another unusual
visitor experience can be found at the "New Globe" on
Kocherinsel. The model for this venue was Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
on the Thames. This three-storey, circular, outdoor theatre can put
on performances under the roof and in the open air.
But on four days
of the year, the entire town becomes a giant stage. This is when
Schwäbisch Hall celebrates one of the finest local festivals in the
country, the "Kuchen- und Brunnenfest" (cake and fountain
festival). This revolves around the tradition of salt boiling.
Dramatized historic scenes, a demonstration of salt boiling, and an
XXL cake are the highlights. If you are looking for tradition beyond
the town walls, pay a visit to the Freilandmuseum Wackershofen. Here
you can see farmhouses and craftsman's houses from the 16th to the
20th century.
Art enthusiasts
should make a pilgrimage to the modern art gallery in Würth. Old
Masters are on display in the annexe in the Johanniterkirche.
Visitors will be awestruck by the enchanting beauty of the Virgin of
Mercy ("Schutzmantelmadonna"). It was created by Hans
Holbein the Younger in 1525. The exceptional cultural environment
also includes the Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum. Entrance to all
three museums is free. That's extraordinary too. But it's typical of
Schwäbisch Hall.
