Discover Bretten: Baroque Churches, Medieval Legends, and Local Flavors

Welcome to Bretten, a picturesque town in southern Germany where medieval charm meets vibrant local culture. In this complete guide, discover the best things to do – from exploring ancient towers and churches to immersing yourself in the legendary Peter and Paul Festival. Whether you’re craving historic sights, cozy places to stay, or authentic German cuisine, this travel guide offers insider tips for an unforgettable visit.

I bet you have never heard of Bretten before, have you? Bretten is one of those German towns that are not on the top of anyone’s bucket list or in the travel spotlight on Instagram or TikTok. Nonetheless, Bretten is absolutely worth visiting and spending there a long weekend. It is one of my discoveries in Germany – a real hidden gem.

We went to Bretten on a long weekend escape and spent there 4 days. The town is really small, but very charming. It makes a good destination if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and the stress of the daily life.

Not long ago, in 2017 Bretten celebrated its 1250^th anniversary. It was in the year 767 when the nobleman Wigilo gave a piece of land to the Lorsch Monastery under the name of “Bretenheim”. This was entered into the codex of the Monastery and is considered the first time the name of Bretten was mentioned in historical documents.

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Note: This post appeared originally in 2017. It has been completely overhauled and republished in 2025.

How to get to Bretten?

We travelled to Bretten by car. It was very easy to reach it as the town is located close to the highways A5, A8 and A6. The nearest big cities are Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Stuttgart and Pforzheim.

If you travel by train, the best way is to do it via Karlsruhe. You can also fly to one of the nearest airports: Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (2 hours by bus), Stuttgart (2 hours by train) or Frankfurt (2 hours and 15 min by train).

Check out Omio or Trainline for the timetables and to buy train tickets.

What to do in Bretten?

On the map bellow you will find all attraction in Bretten. You can download in Google MyMaps and use it even offline.

Spend an afternoon in the market square

Bretten has one of those lovely market squares surrounded by half-timbered houses dating back from the early 18 c. It’s an early morning in Bretten and the market square is still empty. The town comes slowly to life. In a few hours all tables will be full and it will be difficult to find a place to sit.

We loved it! Sitting outside at the square at one of the many cafes and enjoying a glass of beer with a Flammkuchen.

Visit the market on Saturday morning

On Saturday morning the heart of the town turns into a thriving market square. For a few hours until early afternoon you can buy fresh produce from the local farmers or specialties from the region.

Visit a museum in Bretten

Bretten offers some quite quirky museums. Guardian angels or tanning history? Get off the beaten path and learn about local history and traditions.

German Guardian Angel Museum

The German Guardian Angel Museum (Deutsches Schutzengel-Museum), located in the Schweizer Hof, as the names suggests, is dedicated to the guardian angels in various religions around the world.

Practical information: The museum is open on Saturday and Sunday, and on holidays from 11 am till 5 pm and on Wednesdays, from 3 pm till 7 pm. The entry is free.

Tanning Museum

The Tanning Museum is located in the Tanner’s House (Gerbershaus) – the oldest house in Bretten built in 1585 which has survived the devastating fire of 1689. Today, there’s a museum dedicated to local history, tannery and leather-working.

Practical information: The museum is open every first and third Sunday in the month from March till December, from 3 pm till 6 pm. The entry is free.

Melanchthon’s House

The Melanchthon’s House (Melanchthonhaus) – standing on the market square you can’t miss this imposing reddish Neo-gothic building. It hosts the second biggest exposition in Germany dedicated to the Reformation. It was built in 1897 on the place of the birth house of Philip Melanchthon which was burnt down in the big city fire of 1689. The fountain in front of it, is the only structure on the square that has survived the devastating fire.

Melanchthon was one of the most important figures of the Reformation, a man of great erudition, a scholar, a theologian and an educator. The Melanchthon’s House has a collection of more than 9000 books, 450 original manuscripts, paintings, art works, commemorative coins and coat of arms.

Practical information: The museum is open from mid February until the end of November on Tuesday-Friday from 2 pm till 5 pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 11 am till 1 pm and from 2 pm until 5 pm. The entry fee for adults is 3 EUR and for students (older than 10 years) – 1,5 EUR.

Do not miss the rest of the attractions in Bretten

The best part about this little German town is that at every corner you will come across a building or a place where history, traditions and legends are interwoven in a fascinating story.

Old Town Hall

The original town hall was among those buildings that disappeared in the big city fire together with its rich archive. It was reconstructed to its glory and now it proudly dominates the market square with its 19 c. imposing facade in “German Renaissance” style.

Kreuzkirche or Lutheran Church

The Kreuzkirche in Bretten, Germany, is a historic Protestant church built in 1687 by the local Lutheran community. Though it was destroyed just two years later by the big fire during the Nine Year War, it was rebuilt and consecrated in 1702.

Known for its rich Baroque interior, the church features a stunning ceiling fresco by Johann Bartholomäus Brandmeyer and a beautifully restored 18th-century organ by Philipp Heinrich Hasenmeyer. Today, while most services are held in Bretten’s larger Stiftskirche, the Kreuzkirche remains a cherished venue for weddings, Taizé prayers, and special spiritual events.

Stiftskirche

Stiftskirche is the oldest and the most important church in Bretten. It was built between 1350 and 1400 and was spared in the big fire of 1689. Originally dedicated to Saints Stephen and Lawrence, it served as a Simultankirche, shared by both Catholic and Protestant congregations.

Its 61-metre high tower, likely once a medieval fortress keep, still protrudes into the Gothic nave, hinting at its defensive past.

Notably, reformer Philipp Melanchthon was baptized here, or so tradition holds, and his statue stands proudly outside the church.

St. Laurentius

St Laurentius Church is one of the newest churches in Bretten. It was built in the 1930’s and is used by the catholic community in the town. Unique feature is the six-bell ensemble cast in 1951 by the Schilling foundry, which produces a rich, harmonious sound praised for its emotional depth and clarity .

Pfeifer Tower

Standing tall on the Engelsberg hill, the Pfeifer Tower (Pfeiferturm) is Bretten’s most formidable medieval fortification. Built in the mid-13th century, this 26-meter-high structure once guarded the vulnerable northern flank of the city walls, manned by watchmen and pipers – hence its name.

It played a crucial role during the 1504 Landshut War of Succession, preventing enemy forces from fully encircling the town. Though damaged and later stripped of its roof in the 1689 city fire, the tower remained a proud stump for over 300 years until its restoration in 2009.

Today, visitors can climb its 152-step wooden staircase to a panoramic viewing platform, accessible via guided tours arranged through Bretten’s tourist office.

Simmel Tower

The Simmel Tower (Simmelturm) – located at the most southeastern corner of the old Bretten, it is the second of importance tower of the old fortifications. It has a round form and was built in the late 14 c.

The name of this fortification tower comes from the Middle-High German “sinwel“, which means “round”. There’s a plaque on the tower that commemorates the Battle of Brettheim in 1504 – the most dramatic event in the history Bretten.

Notable are the carved “Neidköpfe” – grotesque stone faces meant to ward off evil – and heraldic emblems adorning its upper section.

The dog statue

This is the famous Brettner Hundle – The Doggie of Bretten – the dog that once rescued the town. The legend says that when once the town was under the siege of the enemy and the food supplies were coming to an end, one of the city counselors came up with the idea to collect all the remaining food in town and to feed up a dog for a few days until it becomes fat and round. Then they would send the dog outside of the city’s walls.

When the enemy would see the dog, they would think that the citizens had enough supplies to endure the siege and would leave. And this is what they did. When the enemy saw the dog, they got discouraged that they would ever win, so they cut the dog’s tail and they left Bretten with the only trophy they could get.

The statue of the famous doggie is everywhere in the city.

Take part in a medieval festival

Every summer, the town of Bretten transforms into a living medieval stage for the Peter and Paul Festival, one of southern Germany’s oldest and most vibrant heritage celebrations. Held on the first weekend after June 29th, the festival commemorates Bretten’s successful defense during the 1504 siege by the Duke of Württemberg.

Peter and Paul Festival is a large event where everybody is dressed in historical costumes, there are processions on the streets, artisan markets and various activities. This Festival is included in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.

Day trips from Bretten

Stromberg-Heuchelberg Natural Park

The Stromberg-Heuchelberg Natural Park is a small natural park at some 20 km to the east of Bretten, perfect for hiking or biking.

Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe

The Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe (Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe) is the ideal half-day trip from Bretten. The largest cultural-historical museum in Baden is hosted in the Karlsruhe Palace. The museum’s collection includes artifacts from the prehistorical time up to the modern age. It has a wonderful park and from the palace’s tower you will have a breathtaking view to the fan-shaped city centre of Karlsruhe.

When visiting the Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe do not miss to climb the palace’s tower. From its top you will have a stunning 360 degree view on the city and the palace’s park.

The Palace also has a beautiful park. There is a small steam train that runs through the park. The journey takes 20 minutes and the train runs on the weekends from Good Friday to All Saints Day, and in the summer also on weekdays.

Where to eat in Bretten?

For a small town, Bretten offers a great variety of quality places to eat. The market square is surrounded by many restaurants and cafés, where you can try mostly local specialties. There are also a few other restaurants in side streets, which offer very good cuisine. We walked around and each time we chose a different place to eat. We were never disappointed.

When in Germany you should try the Flammkuchen! They taste the best with a wheat beer. Don’t miss also the apple strudel served with vanilla ice cream!

Where to stay in Bretten?

One of the coziest hotels where I have ever stayed is in Bretten. With unique charm and a real soul, the family-owned Hotel Krone will give you a piece of home away from home. Their secret? It’s all about the details. And the breakfast. This is my favourite breakfast of all times. Actually, their breakfast is so popular that on Sunday locals go there only to enjoy their breakfast buffet. Oh, did I mention that the hotel has this perfect location on the market square?

Click here to book Hotel Krone.

Bretten is one of those little hidden gems that you need to know about in order to include it on your itinerary. Are you interested in off-the-beaten-track destinations in Germany, then you shall for sure try Blankenheim – another small town with half-timbered houses and special medieval atmosphere.