city portrait

Today Calw proudly identifies itself with its most famous son – Hermann Hesse. And Hesse too identified himself during his lifetime with his hometown Calw, which had a strong influence on his life. Strolling through the alleyways of Calw today one has in many places the feeling of being carried back to a time in which one is able to appreciate the childhood recollections of the Nobel Prize winner for literature with one’s own eyes. A comprehensive impression of the author’s life – his books are biographies of the soul, self-questioning and self-assurance, his themes deal with the question of human existence – can be found at Hermann Hesse Museum which is situated in the historic “Haus Schüz”; from there you can see the poet’s birth house on the upper end of Market Square. For further information please consult www.calw.de/Hermann-Hesse-en

Historical significanceCalw’s period of economic prosperity (1650–1790) and its ensuing wealth have led to the creation of a picturesque half-timbered town containing more than 200 listed buildings, all of which survived the destruction in World War II almost unharmed. The many cobblestoned alleys, lined with lovingly restored houses, form a network throughout the historical town centre, providing a magical setting for shopping, sauntering or simply having fun.
For further information please consult www.calw.de/half-timbered-houses

With its almost 22,500 inhabitants, the district capital Calw is today also the largest town in the Calw administrative district. It was first recorded in the year 1075. The town originated in the direct vicinity of the castle of the noble medieval Counts of Calw. Nestled in the Nagold valley, the local recreational area, Calw is often referred to as the northern gateway to the Black Forest. The river Nagold, which flows right through the centre of the town, forms a natural boundary between the natural landscape of the Northern Black Forest in the South West and the Heckengäu plateau in the North East. In 1976 Calw became a major district town and medium-sized centre for the surrounding communities. For further information please consult www.calw.de/black-forestalw. The City between Schwarzwald and GäuWith its almost 22,500 inhabitants, the district capital Calw is today also the largest town in the Calw administrative district. It was first recorded in the year 1075. The town originated in the direct vicinity of the castle of the noble medieval Counts of Calw. Nestled in the Nagold valley, the local recreational area, Calw is often referred to as the northern gateway to the Black Forest. The river Nagold, which flows right through the centre of the town, forms a natural boundary between the natural landscape of the Northern Black Forest in the South West and the Heckengäu plateau in the North East. In 1976 Calw became a major district town and medium-sized centre for the surrounding communities. For further information please consult www.calw.de/black-forest

They make up the charm of each shopping town: the small, original shops that always make you feel that you have discovered something really special. In Calw, these gems can be found in the many picturesque nooks and alleys of the historic town centre. On entering one of these stylish shops you receive a warm greeting and immediately have the feeling that you are really welcome. The Calw “Lederstrasse” is practically an urban shopping mile: it is home to many subsidiaries of well-known brands and also to small traditional enterprises, all of which attract many customers. In the Market Square you will mostly find small shops offering everything that the heart could wish for - from traditional and rustic to trendy and international products. You should also visit the weekly market!
For further information please consult www.calw.de/shopping

Calw’s cultural heritage is quite substantial, which is why a wide variety of cultural activities have developed all over the town. Hirsau Monastery, Hermann Hesse and the internationally renowned Aurelius Boys’ Choir make up the town’s cultural profile. Many high-class cultural events such as the “Gerbersau Summer Readings”, the “Calw Monastery Summer Festival” or the widely known concert “Calw rocks” held in unique surroundings regularly attract visitors to Calw from Germany and abroad. And a wealth of museums and tours of the town acquaint you in a most entertaining way with the tradition-steeped history of the town on the Nagold.
For further information please consult www.calw.de/culture

Sandstone walls steeped in historyBy the Early Middle Ages, the little town of Calw had already made history when, in around 830, the ancestors of the Counts of Calw founded Hirsau monastery. In the 11th century, under the highly educated abbot William, the Benedictine monastery rose to become one of the largest and most influential monasteries in Germany and played a major part in the famous Investiture Controversy between the pope and the emperor. 1091 saw the consecration of the exceptionally long, three-nave church. The basilica was one of the largest Romanesque churches of the 11th century in Germany. Later, the architectural elements of the Hirsau monastery buildings often served as prototypes for other monastic buildings. The first golden age of “St. Peter and Paul” lasted until about 1250. In the mid-15th century it prospered once again, which provided funds for new buildings. Around 1480, the Romanesque sections of the building, with the exception of the church, were demolished and replaced by High-Gothic buildings. In 1692 in the course of the War for Succession of the Palatinate, French troops set fire to the buildings, destroying almost the entire monastery. Today, the monastery ruins, which are freely accessible to the general public, are one of Calw’s main tourist attractions.
For further information please consult www.calw.de/monastery-hirsau

Enjoy outdoor CalwThe unique countryside around Calw, nestling between picturesque valleys and sunny plateaus, lined with flowering meadows and green forests, offers all outdoor enthusiasts a real Eldorado for sport and relaxation. Leave your daily routine and all your cares behind you; recharge your batteries in the clear air between the Black Forest and the Gäu. Refresh your spirits with a visit to the outdoor adventure pool in Stammheim, promote your fitness in the form of inline skating, Nordic walking, hiking, climbing or biking and relax afterwards with an exhibition, a reading or a visit to the cinema. Would you like to take a trip into the countryside, but not on your own? Then the guided tours by e.g. the Black Forest guides or the Heckengäu nature guides are just what you are looking for. There is a wide range of offers all year round for young and old.
For further information please consult www.calw.de/outdoor-town

Accommodation in Calw
For anyone who wishes to stay a little longer – as there is so much to see and do in Calw
www.calw.de/accomodation