Location:

A glance at the map is enough: the middle center Kirchheim unter Tech offers a location advantage with its geographic location which hardly another city in the metropolitan region Stuttgart can show. The location surrounded by green with the optimal traffic infrastructure and connection to the city is almost unique. In exactly ten minutes you are at the airport (25 km) and at the New Trade Fair and in a short time in the state capital Stuttgart (35 km).

Local authority districts: Kirchheim unter Teck Ötlingen Lindorf Nabern Jesingen

Geographic position: 48°39' Nord 9°27' Ost Altitude above sea level: 310m Area: 4.047ha

History:

The appeal of the city Kirchheim unter Teck lies in the closeness of its old town core. The castle with wall and trench, St. Martin's Church and the Grain House, the bastion in the north-east of the city core and the striking street crossing with the unique City Hall give the city a picturesque accent. Findings from the early stone age document the early settlement of Kirchheim. The Celts and Romans left their traces and based on Alemannic row grave cemeteries there is evidence of three Alemannic original villages. With the first documented mentioning of Kirchheim in the year 960, St. Martin's Church is also mentioned at the same time, when Kirchheim unter Teck ended up the property of the Emperor Otto I in a swap by the diocese of Chur. Kirchheim unter Teck developed in the 9th and 10th century to an important market location, an economic importance which Kirchheim unter Teck as a middle center still has today. When around 1060 the Zähringers gained ground in the Alp foreland, through this dynasty and even more through the additional line of the dukes of Teck, the fate of the Kirchheim region was determined for around 300 years. Between 1220 and 1230, the Teck dukes raised the market place to a city, which at the end of the 13th century had all functions of a medieval city. When in the 14th century, caused by the economic downfall, the dukes of Teck had to sell their lordship piece by piece, Kirchheim went to the counts of Wuerttemberg in 1381. The 16th century brought after the return of duke Ulrich the extension of the city to a land fortress. Besiege, quartering, plundering and the plague, as results of the Thirty Years' War, leave their traces. The gravest break was of course the great city fire of 1690 which made Kirchheim unter Tech to a pile of ashes with the exception of a few buildings.

Economy:

The location "out in the open"  in connection with the optimal traffic infrastructure and the connection to the city is almost unique. Lying directly on the Autobahn A8 Karlsruhe - Stuttgart - Munich, the middle center with 40,000 residents offers ideal location requirements for successful corporate operation. The business locations can be reached quickly and are easy to find. In just ten minutes, you are at the airport and at the New Trade Fair and in a short time in the state capital of Stuttgart. With the medium term S Bahn railway connection and the ICE connection through the Airport / New Trade Fair as well as the Neckar harbor Plochingen, all important means of transport are found directly on location or in the direct vicinity. Thus Kirchheim unter Teck is the ideal location for industry, trade, craftsmanship and services and in addition an attractive place to live for the employees and their families. The economic location Kirchheim unter Teck is characterized through a diversified economic structure - a healthy and capable mixture of branches with companies of differing sizes and thus a balanced mixture of world-.known large companies and innovative smaller and medium sized companies. The development of many brands and products which are known today on the world market began as one-person or family companies in Kirchheim unter Teck. The individual work of the people stands behind this just as much as the Swabian diligence and tinkering spirit which is known beyond the state borders.

Sights:

Renaissance Castle
Alleenstraße 22
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Tel.: +49 (70 21) 97 45 54
The original Renaissance water castle was built in 1538 - 1543 under Duke Ulrich as a part of the land fortress Kirchheim and served the House of Wuerttemberg at times as a residence, later as a dowager's estate. Today open to the public as a castle museum.

St. Martin's Church
The Gothic St. Martin's Church is dedicated to St. Martin of Tour and has its origin in the 7th century. The modern day nave and the choir were built from 1400 to 1500. In the inside there are two grand epitaphs from Konrad Widerholt and his wife, a late Renaissance pulpit (1691) and a beautifully wrought communion rail from 1695/97.
Martinskirchplatz, Opening hours generally daily to 5:00 p.m.
Guided tours upon request for groups at Kirchheim-Info, Tel. +49 (70 21) 30 27

Timber frame City Hall
Marktstraße 14
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
One of the most beautiful timber frame city halls (1722 - 1724) in the state. The ornamental ceiling in the arcades with the Wuerttemberg coat of arms and the moon phase clock on the façade- unique in the southern German region - are worth seeing. The tradition of the tower musicians is still alive today in Kirchheim.

North-east bastion and city wall
Max-Eyth-Straße 57/2
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Mighty remains of the older city fortification from the 13th / 14th and 15th century as well as from the time of Duke Ulrich. Since the 60ies, the "Club Bastion" is located there. Since then quality events take place in the bastion, among others the series "Summer on the Roof".

Max Eyth House
Max-Eyth-Straße 15
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Birth house of the poet and engineer Max Eyth (1836 - 1906). The impressive timber frame house used to be home of one of the first Latin schools of the state (1249). Today the literary museum and the Kirchheim Information office are found there.

City Gallery in the Grain House
Max-Eyth-Straße 19
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Tel.: +49 (70 21) 5 02 - 377
In the Grain House on two stories there are regular art exhibits. The art committee shows, on the ground floor, changing exhibitions of modern art. The 1st upper floor forms a forum for the artists from the region. The offer is supplemented through exhibitions from the art association as well as through concerts, lectures and readings. The exhibitions of modern and contemporary art which take place in the Gallery in the Grain House enjoy an excellent reputation.

Literature museum in the Max Eyth House
Max-Eyth-Straße 15
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Tel.: +49 (70 21) 5 02 - 377
The modern day Max Eyth House is in addition to the castle the oldest timber frame building in the Kirchheim inner city. In 1836, the engineer Max Eyth was born here. In the five rooms in the upper floor, we are reminded of the writers Max Eyth, Hermann Kurz, Hans Bethge and Hermann Hesse, in the ground floor among others of the botanist Johann Simon Kerner, the song poet Albert Knapp and the Kirchheim Latin School.

City Museum in the Grain House
Max-Eyth-Straße 19
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Tel.: +49 (70 21) 5 02 - 377
In the historic Grain House, on three floors the development of the Kirchheim region from the prehistoric times, the Jurassic sea and the first human settlement up to the present is shown. There are the exhibition objects "Made in Kirchheim" like Baroque furniture and pianos. Also excellent is the 40,000 year old skeleton of the Sibyll bear. In the top floor the changing history of the city is shown, a miniature model of the city center before the city fire in 1690 shows the lifestyle from medieval times to the modern day. On topical occasions, several times a year special exhibits are shown in the Grain House cellar.

Prince's room in the Castle Kirchheim
Alleenstraße 22
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Tel.: +49 (70 21) 97 45 54
The original Renaissance water castle was built from 1538 - 1543 under Duke Ulrich as a part of the land fortress Kirchheim and served the House of Wuerttemberg at times as a residence, later as a dowager's estate. Today eight rooms are open to the public as a castle museum. In the rooms, one almost experiences true to the original the living conditions of the prominent widows Franziska von Hohenheim and Henriette.
From 1 May to 1 November

Market places and market days
Wool market, steed market, cabbage market - in addition to these historic market places the central market place was created in its current form only after the city fire. Before the devastating fire in the year 1690, the city hall was in this place, the foundation can be seen in the street paving. Today the market fountain from the year 1776 decorates the square and around it three times a week the colorful atmosphere of the weekly market unfolds.

Markets & Festivals

Weekly market
Wool market, steed market, cabbage market - in addition to these historic market places the central market place was created in its current form only after the city fire. Before the devastating fire in the year 1690, the city hall was in this place, the foundation can be seen in the street paving. Today the market fountain from the year 1776 decorates the square and around it three times a week the colorful atmosphere of the weekly market unfolds.

Grocer's market
Here you can find useful and unusual things and from angora underwear to cotton candy everything is offered at the numerous market stands in the whole historic city center. A meeting point for young and old from near and far.
Each 1st Monday a month from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. except for holidays.

Traditional annual fairs
- March Market on the 1st Monday in March 
 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the historic city center of Kirchheim unter Teck
-Gallus Market on the 1st Monday in November
From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the historic city center of Kirchheim unter Teck
In front of a backdrop of historic timber framed houses, there are puffers, scurrilities, typical scents and stopping for a market pint and chitterlings on the market-day program. The colorful going on at the large fair is enticing at more than 200 stands with useful and unusual things. As of Friday, the amusement park on the Ziegelwasen offers fun and entertainment with its colorful rides and booths for big and small. One can experience Kirchheim's market tradition on the same day with a stroll at the weekly market through the central marketplace and on the day earlier the businesses invite you to browse on an open Sunday.

Christmas market
Festive city of booths in front of a picturesque timber frame background. Atmospheric market with handicrafts. Nostalgic, classic Christmas market assortment and a daily changing program on the Christmas stage.
Beginning of December, Market Square, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tasta-Tour
Every two years, even years
Kirchheim Music Days. Key instrument festival at different locations, among others in the castle.

Kirchheim tecks differently
Every two years, even years
Games, sports and entertainment. Beach volleyball tournaments, street ball, ski pole Mikado, bands and dance groups are offered in the historical old city.

International gliding competition
On the gliding grounds Hahnweide, more than 100 gliders compete in triangle flights of up to 700 km over the Swabian Alb.

Kirchheim Music Night
Music night with a cult status and diversified program in 40 locations. The palette reaches from blues, rock, jazz, country and western, German-rock, jazz, samba and much more.

Bicycle race
International traditional street race around the Alleenring and through the historic old city. An entertaining and family oriented program is offered.

Haft- ond Hokafescht
Last weekend in June.
The traditional city festival with a festival parade and a large village festival offers, in addition to culinary delicacies, games, sports and entertainment on the market place stage and other interesting locations. Further highlights are the children's flea market in the pedestrian zone and the fireworks on the St. Martin's Church square.
At the same time on both days the roller skating open air takes place on the roller skating square covered with a giant parachute.

Fish village
In July
Fish specialties and a harbor atmosphere on the roller skating square on the historic city wall.

Art and culture at the castle
End of July
Classic, dance, theater and comedy open air in the Marstall Garden of the Kirchheim Castle. Art symposium on the castle square.

Wine village
In August
Cozy wine arbors with Swabian and international cuisine in front of the romantic backdrop of the city wall.

International old timer plane show
1st September weekend, every 2 years, odd numbered years
A show of rarities and artistic flight performances with around 200 motor and glider planes (from the Me 109 to the Tante Ju) on the glider grounds Hahnweide.

Golden October Days
End of September / Beginning of October
Village festival and actions in the historical old city with a day of sports, children's day with a petting zoo, artist's market and flea market.

City tours and walking tours

"Heilig's Blechle! History in the street pavement"
On short, even paths the walk takes you back to the past to the sights of the historic city center. A peculiarity are the many notice boards and positions on the city history and the portrayals of historic outlines in the street pavement. Yet, not only the history but also the stories about the "Holy plate" or the life of the Kirchheim tower keeper make a city tour lively.
Duration about 1 ½ hours

City tours for anyone
Each 2nd Saturday in the month from April to October at 2:30 p.m.
Meeting point: Kirchheim Information, in front of the historic Max Eyth House
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Registration is not necessary

City tour with a bit to eat
Cozily stopping for a bite to eat and learning things worth knowing about the city, this can be combined in Kirchheim unter Teck. On short, even paths, the city tour leads through the historic inner city to many sights.
The experienced guides inform you during the tour on the history, tell stories and also report on the current developments. Then the participants can stop for a bite to eat at a traditional restaurant with a Swabian meal and ask the guide questions.
Duration: 1 ½ hours with an adjacent meal

Topic tours
If desired the visitors can be informed about special topics during a city tour:
For example with a timber frame house tour, a church tour in St. Martin's Church or an art tour. With a Saturday stroll at the week market, to historic markets and the tower musicians or with a special tour on the topic of "Jews in Kirchheim". With a natural science tour, one can discover the city's nature. Also tours for persons in wheelchairs are offered.
Duration: 1 ½ hours

Things to do in your free time:

Golf course
Play golf at the golf course Kirchheim-Wendlingen. A wonderful 18-hole facility with public driving range and a view of the eaves of the Alb. After the trial lessons, the generous club house with a restaurant and the pro shop invites you to a visit.
Kirchheim/Wendlingen, Schulerberg 1, Tel. 07024/9 20 82-0

Gliding grounds Hahnweide
On the world famous gliding grounds, every two years the international old timer plane show takes place and every year the international Hahnweide gliding competition.
Restaurant with sun terrace and panorama view of the Teck fortress. Paths to the Bürgerseen Lakes.
www.wolf-hirth.de

Bürgerseen Lakes
Surrounded by green between fruit orchards and the forest is the local relaxation area of the Bürgerseen with its three lakes. The "Lower Lake" offers the possibility of swimming with its islands and grilling places. A fortified path leads you around all three lakes. Also the gliding grounds "Hahnweide" is reachable over a path. The exquisite forest area around the lakes also offers many maintained walking and hiking paths.