Backnang The Metropolis on the Murr

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1 Backnang The Metropolis on the Murr

The metropolis on the Murr Top: The illuminated Backnang Town Tower at night Bottom: From left to

The fountain symbolises the solution of the conflict between East and West.

Weekly market in Backnang. The town is characterised by picturesque vistas and lanes.

One needs to experience a town its architecture and hospitality.

Stroll through the winding lanes of the old town and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the shopping

Take a break in one of the pavement cafés and watch the world go by, watching the busy weekly

2 The metropolis on the Murr Top: The illuminated Backnang Town Tower at night Bottom: From left to right: Fountain on Willy-Brandt-Platz. The fountain symbolises the solution of the conflict between East and West. The curtain of water is a symbol of the Iron Curtain. View of the course of the River Murr. Weekly market in Backnang. The town is characterised by picturesque vistas and lanes. Big wheel at the traditional Backnang Street Festival. One needs to experience a town its architecture and hospitality. Take time to experience Backnang, the metropolis on the Murr, and what it has to offer. Stroll through the winding lanes of the old town and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the shopping areas. Get to know the fine hospitality of our restaurants and hotels. Take a break in one of the pavement cafés and watch the world go by, watching the busy weekly market or get talking 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 Germany to an innovative telecommunications centre. We look forward to seeing you.

Countryside & Local Communities The town of Backnang lies in beautiful surroundings, with orchards, gentle hills and the pretty River Murr

There can be no doubt that Backnang, its suburbs and the surrounding communities of the Backnang Bay are justified in considering themselves

The Plattenwald in Backnang, the Murr valley and the nearby Swabian- Franconian Forest national park all invite you to take long walks,

No surprise therefore that the Backnang region is a popular area for people from the Stuttgart metropolitan area to come and spend their

With their rural charm, the five Backnang suburbs Heiningen, Maubach and Waldrems in the south, Strümpfelbach in the north, and Steinbach in

Together with the hamlets of Sachsenweiler, Ungeheuerhof, Horbachhof, Stiftsgrundhof, Germannsweiler, Ober, Mittel and Unterschöntal

3 Countryside & Local Communities The town of Backnang lies in beautiful surroundings, with orchards, gentle hills and the pretty River Murr winding along its valley. There can be no doubt that Backnang, its suburbs and the surrounding communities of the Backnang Bay are justified in considering themselves one of the most attractive cultural landscapes in Swabia. The Plattenwald in Backnang, the Murr valley and the nearby Swabian- Franconian Forest national park all invite you to take long walks, hikes or rides. No surprise therefore that the Backnang region is a popular area for people from the Stuttgart metropolitan area to come 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! With their rural charm, the five Backnang suburbs Heiningen, Maubach and Waldrems in the south, Strümpfelbach in the north, and Steinbach in the north-east form the perfect transition between the town and the picturesque landscape of Backnang Bay. Together with the hamlets of Sachsenweiler, Ungeheuerhof, Horbachhof, Stiftsgrundhof, Germannsweiler, Ober, Mittel and Unterschöntal (locally known as the Schöntals ) and Seehof, the suburbs form a necklace around the town. The excellent public transport connections mean that the suburbs are linked to the town and to the inter-regional road and rail networks. Top: The idyllic countryside around Backnang: Orchard near Backnang. Bottom: von links nach rechts: Strümpfelbach with a typical former schoolhouse. Heiningen with a colourful sea of flowers. Maubach with the Maubach bell. Idyllic view of Steinbach. Pretty farmstead in Waldrems.

Culture & Art Top: The Backnang Street Festival one of the oldest and, without doubt, liveliest street festivals in the region.

The Bandhaus: Granary with the cellar of the former Augustinian canonry, Latin school, grammar school, Schickhardt comprehensive school.

Backnang. For some years now, the Backnang Murr Spectacular has taken place by the Murr, around the Murr and, primarily, on the Murr.

Despite it having so many historic monuments, Backnang is not a museum.

After all, the Backnang Street Festival, which, since 1971, has taken place on the last weekend in June, is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the whole

All throughout the year, concerts, opera, dance and drama in the Backnanger Bürgerhaus shape the cultural life of our town.

4 Culture & Art Top: The Backnang Street Festival one of the oldest and, without doubt, liveliest street festivals in the region. Bottom: From left to right: A regular spectacle: Appearance by singers as part of Classic-Ope(r)n-Air. The Bandhaus: Granary with the cellar of the former Augustinian canonry, Latin school, grammar school, Schickhardt comprehensive school. Now cultural use (including Backnang Youth Music School, theatre, puppet theatre) Backnang Bürgerhaus: The former Station Hotel forms the cultural heart of Backnang. For some years now, the Backnang Murr Spectacular has taken place by the Murr, around the Murr and, primarily, on the Murr. Goose Fountain next to the town hall. Seen here during the Goose Market a reminder of a significant historical event: the Backnang Goose War. Despite it having so many historic monuments, Backnang is not a museum. The lively town centre is a popular meeting point, be it at the Weekly, Christmas, Flea or Goose Markets. Backnangers know how to celebrate. After all, the Backnang Street Festival, which, since 1971, has taken place on the last weekend in June, is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the whole of Southern Germany. In addition, the Classic-Ope(r)n-Air concert takes place against the historic backdrop on the Market Square in the summer. All throughout the year, concerts, opera, dance and drama in the Backnanger Bürgerhaus shape the cultural life of our town. Art and architecture have undergone an unusual symbiosis in Backnang's historic streets and buildings. Wherever you go in the old part of the town, you will find sculptures created back in 1987, during the Backnang Sculptors' Symposium. Going uphill, you will find the Sculpture Path of the Backnang Art Group this path follows the former route of the stations of the cross on the Ölberg. In the Tower Schoolhouse, Backnang Town Gallery holds its renowned exhibitions, with which it has obtained its

reputation as a bold supporter of young, contemporary art. Old Masters can be found in the Helferhaus.

Dürer. These artistic jewels have made Backnang one of the treasure houses of European printing.

The range of cultural events in the Bandhaus is expanded further by the Bandhaus Theatre and Professor Pröpstl's Puppet

The Smithy Museum on Burgplatz, the Technology Collection, with the Information Systems subcollection, the Scheuerle Museum,

its reputation as a town of museums. You can see it's well worth taking a look behind the scenes. Welcome to Backnang!

Bottom: From left to right: Backnang Town Gallery.

5 reputation as a bold supporter of young, contemporary art. Old Masters can be found in the Helferhaus. Here, the Grafik-Kabinett presents its impressive collection of high-quality European prints from Lucas Cranach to Albrecht Dürer. These artistic jewels have made Backnang one of the treasure houses of European printing. The Helferhaus also hosts the exhibitions and events of the Backnang Local History Association (Heimatund Kunstverein). The range of cultural events in the Bandhaus is expanded further by the Bandhaus Theatre and Professor Pröpstl's Puppet Theatre. When the Galli Theatre opened, the historic old town was blessed with yet another cultural centre. The Smithy Museum on Burgplatz, the Technology Collection, with the Information Systems subcollection, the Scheuerle Museum, the Manfred von Ardenne Radio Museum and the Hungarian-German Folklore Museum all of these show that Backnang well deserves its reputation as a town of museums. You can see it's well worth taking a look behind the scenes. Welcome to Backnang! Top: View of the historic Town Tower and the new staircase of the Tower Schoolhouse, designed by Johannes Manderscheid. Bottom: From left to right: Backnang Town Gallery. Ensemble of half-timbered houses with market fountain in Backnang town centre. The Manfred von Ardenne Radio Museum is home to numerous testaments to German radio history. The Sculpture Path winds its way through Backnang's old town: Here you can see a stone sculpture on the Ölberg. View of the Helferhaus.

Free time & Industry Top: The Backnang Bleichwiese with Murr Staircase and freshly-renovated Schweizerbau in the background.

Backnang Wonnemar. View of the River Murr by the weir.

Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG. Large and renowned companies have also settled in the Lerchenäcker Business Park.

Backnang is a town worth living in. With around 36,000 inhabitants, it is the centre of a catchment area of nearly 120,000 people.

Life in the town is improved yet further by countless clubs and societies, wide-ranging social support and excellent opportunities for its senior citizens.

Backnang also has a long tradition as an industrial town. The Upper Spinning Mill was founded back in 1832, marking the start of industrialisation in the town.

6 Free time & Industry Top: The Backnang Bleichwiese with Murr Staircase and freshly-renovated Schweizerbau in the background. Bottom: From left to right: The Backnang Mineral Baths are popular both with swimmers and those just wanting to relax and are a part of the new Murrbäder Backnang Wonnemar. View of the River Murr by the weir. Backnang is strongly influenced by the telecommunications and information systems industries one of the most important employers in this field is Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG. Large and renowned companies have also settled in the Lerchenäcker Business Park. Modern sporting facilities, such as the Katharinenplaisir Sports Hall shown here, offer the best possible conditions for leisure and team sports. Backnang is a town worth living in. With around 36,000 inhabitants, it is the centre of a catchment area of nearly 120,000 people. The town possesses outstanding kindergarten facilities, secondary modern, comprehensive and grammar schools as well as numerous further education facilities. Life in the town is improved yet further by countless clubs and societies, wide-ranging social support and excellent opportunities for its senior citizens. In addition, modern sports facilities and the popular Murrbäder Backnang Wonnemar form a fine base for spending leisure time in the town. Backnang also has a long tradition as an industrial town. The Upper Spinning Mill was founded back in 1832, marking the start of industrialisation in the town. Numerous companies from the leather tanning industry turned Backnang into the leather-tanning town in Southern Germany, a reputation which lasted well into the 20th Century. After the Second World War there was a shift in the industrial focus of the town towards electrical and information systems. Today, Backnang is an attractive location for business, allowing you to work, live and play in a charming environment.

History The castle hill, which falls steeply away to the River Murr, possesses a unique collection of historical architecture and is the oldest part of our town, first

Between 1220 and 1230, they turned Backnang into a town, which they used as their religious centre and for burial purposes, for which, in 1130, they built the St.

Remains of the tombs of the Margraves can still be found in the crypt of the church, thus making Backnang the perfect Baden-Württemberg town. Of the nearby St.

whole of Germany. In 1816/17, the nave was replaced by the so-called Tower Schoolhouse, which today houses the Backnang Town Gallery.

The original plans for the tower go back to the Württemberg court architect and Renaissance architect Heinrich Schickhardt.

7 History The castle hill, which falls steeply away to the River Murr, possesses a unique collection of historical architecture and is the oldest part of our town, first mentioned in documents in the year Here, the Margraves of Baden founded an Augustinian monastery in Between 1220 and 1230, they turned Backnang into a town, which they used as their religious centre and for burial purposes, for which, in 1130, they built the St. Pancras church, with its Romanesque towers. Remains of the tombs of the Margraves can still be found in the crypt of the church, thus making Backnang the perfect Baden-Württemberg town. Of the nearby St. Michael's church, only the 13 th Century Gothic chancel remains, which, with its original capitals, makes it one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of Germany. In 1816/17, the nave was replaced by the so-called Tower Schoolhouse, which today houses the Backnang Town Gallery. Above the chancel is the town tower, rebuilt six years after the town fire of 1693, and today the town's symbol. The original plans for the tower go back to the Württemberg court architect and Renaissance architect Heinrich Schickhardt. The town hall, built around 1600, and rebuilt after a fire of 1716, is an expression of civic pride, and is, even today, one of the most beautiful town halls in the whole of Southern Germany. Top: District court building, built by Heinrich Schickhardt as a palace for the House of Württemberg, once the Chancellory for the county, in the monastery complex (Stiftshof). Bottom: From left to right: Gothic chancel with exhibit from an exhibition held by the Backnang town council. View from the Ölberg to the Town Tower. The historic town hall view from the Market Square. The Collegiate Church with its Romanesque tower, seen from the churchyard. View of the Mörike school in Backnang. The former German President, Horst Köhler, lived at the school as a 10 year-old between 13 th May and 12 th October 1953, in the then camp for Soviet refugees.

8 Stadt Backnang Große Kreisstadt Am Rathaus Backnang Germany Telephone: +49 (0) Telefax: +49 (0) stadt@backnang.de Photographs: Edgar Layher Monika Melchert Claudia Gollor-Knüdeler Loc Tien Nguyen Backnang Public Relations Office

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