Esslingen on the Neckar

Middle Ages meets modern

With its 1200 year old history, the former free imperial city of Esslingen on the Neckar is the region’s only city to have preserved its medieval city centre so consistently. The historic old town, which is famous across the nation and features approx. 800 architectural monuments, has a multitude of hidden gems: here you will find the oldest row of half-timbered houses in Germany, the Old Town Hall with its Renaissance façade by Heinrich Schickhardt and the famous Glockenspiel, culture and culinary delights, pure nature nestled between vineyards and the Neckar valley and an attractive range of leisure activities. A leisurely shopping spree through old town alleys and attractions such Esslingen Castle, historic city gates, medieval Pfleghöfe (administrative monastic buildings) and monumental churches are an extremely impressive cultural legacy.