Backnang – The Metropolis on the The Metropolis on the Murr

TOP: The illuminated Town Tower One needs to experience a town – its architecture of Backnang at night. and hospitality. Take time to experience Backnang, BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Fountain on Willy-Brandt-Platz. The the metropolis on the Murr, and what it has to offer. fountain deals with the solution of Stroll through the winding lanes of the old town and the conflict between East and West. The curtain of water represents the enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the shopping areas. Iron Curtain. | View of the course of Get to know the fine hospitality of our restaurants the River Murr. | Weekly market in Backnang. | The town is characterised and hotels. Take a break in one of the pavement by picturesque alleys and lanes. | cafés and watch the world go by, watching the busy Big wheel at the traditional Backnang Street Festival. market or just listening to the locals. It's worth listening – the Backnangers have plenty of stories to tell, of the Amazon women of the Goose War or the transformation of what was formerly the most important leather-tanning town in Southern to an innovative telecommunications centre. We look forward to seeing you. COUNTRYSIDE & LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The town of Backnang lies in beautiful surroundings, With their rural charm, the five Backnang suburbs – TOP: The countryside around Backnang is truly idyllic: orchards with orchards, gentle hills and the pretty River Murr Heiningen, Maubach and Waldrems in the south, near Backnang. winding along its valley. There can be no doubt that Strümpfelbach in the north, and Steinbach in the BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The Backnang, its suburbs and the surrounding commu- north-east form the perfect transition between the village of Strumpfelbach with its former schoolhouse, a typical building nities of the ”Backnang Bay“ are justified in town and the picturesque landscape of ”Backnang Bay“. of the region. | The village of considering themselves one of the most attractive Together with the hamlets of Sachsenweiler, Unge- Heiningen amid of a wealth of flowers. | The village of Maubach cultural landscapes in Swabia. The Plattenwald in heuerhof, Horbachhof, Stiftsgrundhof, Germannsweiler, with the “Maubach Bell”. | Idyllic Backnang, the Murr valley and the nearby ”Swabian- Seehof and Ober, Mittel and Unterschöntal, the view of the village of Steinbach. | Attractive farmhouse in Waldrems. Franconian Forest“ national park all invite you to suburbs form a necklace around the town. The take long walks, hikes or rides. No surprise therefore excellent public transport connections mean that the that the Backnang region is a popular area for suburbs are linked to the town and to the inter- people from the metropolitan area to come regional road and rail networks. and spend their free time. The direct suburban railway connection to Stuttgart airport means that it’s easy to get to Backnang from anywhere in the world! Culture & Art

TOP: The Backnang Street Festival, Despite it having so many historic monuments, Art and architecture have undergone an unusual – one of the oldest, and certainly the liveliest, street festivals in the region. Backnang is not a museum. The lively town centre is symbiosis in Backnang's historic streets and

BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: a popular meeting point, be it at the weekly, buildings. Wherever you go in the old part of the An annual attraction: artists perform Christmas, Flea or Goose Markets. town, you will find sculptures created back in 1987 as part of the “Classic-Ope(r)n-Air”. | The Bandhaus houses the Traumzeit Backnangers know how to celebrate. The Backnang during the Backnang Sculptors’ Symposium. Going Theatre, the Kalanag Museum and Street Festival, which, since 1971, has taken place on uphill, you will find the Sculpture Path of the the German Magic Centre. | Backnang’s Bürgerhaus: The former the last weekend in June, is the oldest and largest Backnang Art Group – this path follows the former station hotel forms the cultural heart event of its kind in the whole of Southern Germany. route of the stations of the cross on the Ölberg. In of Backnang. | The “festival of the the Tower Schoolhouse, Backnang Town Gallery Margraves of Baden in the Heart of In addition, the ”Classic-Ope(r)n-Air“ concert takes Württemberg” is a testament to holds its renowned exhibitions, with which it has Backnang’s long history as an outpost place on the Market Square in the summer, and all obtained its reputation as a bold supporter of young, of Baden. | “Goose fountain” in front throughout the year, concerts, opera, dance and drama of the town hall. Seen here during contemporary art. Backnang’s “Goose Market”, it is a in the Backnanger Bürgerhaus shape the cultural life reminder of a significant historical of the town. event: the Backnang Goose War. Old Masters can be found in the Helferhaus. Here, the Together with the Kalanag Museum and the German TOP: View of the historic Town Tower and the outdoor staircase, designed ”Grafik-Kabinett“ presents its impressive collection Magician's Centre, they form Backnang’s ”magic by architect Johannes Manderscheid, of high-quality European prints – from Lucas Cranach triangle“. When the Galli Theatre opened, the historic on the Turmschulhaus. to Albrecht Dürer. These artistic jewels have made old town was blessed with yet another cultural centre. BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Gallery of the town of Backnang. | Backnang one of the treasure houses of European The Smithy Museum on Burgplatz, the Technology Group of half-timbered buildings printing. Collection, with the Information Systems subcollection around the Market Fountain in Backnang town centre. | The Manfred The Helferhaus also hosts the exhibitions and events the Scheuerle Museum, the Manfred von Ardenne Radio von Ardenne Radio Museum houses of the Backnang Local History Association. The range Museum and the Hungarian-German Folklore Museum countless testaments to German radio history. | The Sculpture Trail winds of cultural events is expanded further in the Stiftshof, – all these show that Backnang well deserves its through Backnang’s old town: here is which contains the TraumZeit Theatre and the Pegasus reputation as a town of museums. It's well worth taking a stone sculpture on the Ölberg. | View of the Helferhaus. Magic Theatre, which offer variety and minor arts. a look behind the scenes. Welcome to Backnang! Free Time and IndustrY

TOP: The Backnang Bleichwiese with Backnang is a town worth living in. With around Backnang also has a long tradition as an ”industrial“ Murr Staircase and the newly-renovated Schweizerbau in the background. 36,000 inhabitants, it is the centre of a catchment town. The ”Upper Spinning Mill“ was founded back

BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: area of nearly 120,000 people. The town possesses in 1832, marking the start of industrialisation in the The Backnang Open-Air Mineral Pool outstanding kindergarten facilities, secondary modern, town. Numerous companies from the leather tanning is a popular place for rest and relaxation. | View of the weir on the comprehensive and grammar schools as well as industry turned Backnang into the leather-tanning Murr. | Backnang is dominated by the numerous further education facilities. Life in the town in Southern Germany, a reputation which lasted telecommunications industry – one of the most important employers in this town is improved yet further by countless clubs and well into the 20th Century. field isTesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. societies, wide-ranging social support and excellent After the Second World War there was a shift in the AG. | Companies of renown can also be found in the Lerchenäcker opportunities for its senior citizens. In addition, industrial focus of the town towards electrical and industrial area: here is the famous modern sports facilities and the popular outdoor information systems. Today, Backnang is an attractive manufacturer of weighing scales, Soehnle Professional. | Modern mineral baths form a fine base for spending leisure location for business, allowing you to work, live and sports’ facilities, such as the time in the town. play in a charming environment. Katharinenplaisir Sports Hall shown here, offer the best conditions for leisure and sporting activities. History

The castle hill, which falls steeply away to the River Of the nearby St. Michael's church, only the 13th TOP: Building housing the district court in the Stiftshof. Originally built Murr, possesses a unique collection of historical Century Gothic chancel remains, which, with its by court architect Heinrich architecture and is the oldest part of the town, first original capitals, makes it one of the earliest examples Schickhardt as a palace for the house of Württemberg, it has also served as mentioned in documents in the year 1067. Here, the of Gothic architecture in the whole of Germany. In the district chancellery.

Margraves of Baden founded an Augustinian 1816/17, the nave was replaced by the so-called BOTTOM: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: monastery in 1116. Between 1220 and 1230, they ”Tower Schoolhouse“, which today houses the Gothic choir with an exhibit as part of an exhibition by the Backnang turned Backnang into a town, which they used as Backnang Town Gallery. Above the chancel is the Town Gallery. | View of the town their religious centre and for burial purposes, for town tower, rebuilt six years after the town fire of Tower from the Ölberg. | The historic Town Hall – view from Marktplatz. | which, in 1130, they built the St. Pancras church, 1693, and today the town's symbol. The Collegiate Church with its with its Romanesque towers. Remains of the tombs The original plans for the tower go back to the Romanesque tower, as seen from the Freithof. | View of the Mörikeschule of the Margraves can still be found in the crypt of renaissance architect Heinrich Schickhardt. The town in Backnang. As a 10 year-old boy, the church, thus making Backnang the perfect hall, built around 1600, and rebuilt after a fire of the former German President, Horst Köhler, lived here between 13th May ”Baden-Württemberg“ town. 1716, is an expression of civic pride, and is, even and 12th October 1953, in the former today, one of the most beautiful town halls in the camp for Soviet refugees. whole of Southern Germany. Stadt Backnang Große Kreisstadt Am Rathaus 1 71522 Backnang

Telephone: +49 (0)7191 894-256 Fax: +49 (0)7191 894-100 [email protected] www.backnang.de

Images: Edgar Layher | Monika Melchert | Claudia Gollor-Knüdeler | Press Office Stadt Backnang