Discover Sulzburg: History, Wine Walks and Weekly Market

St. Cyriak and Historic Traces

St. Cyriak was first mentioned in a document in 993 and is considered one of the oldest churches in Germany. Its tower is also remarkable: built at the beginning of the 11th century, it is the oldest surviving tower in southwestern Germany. A wooden ceiling dated 1510 and bearing an artist’s inscription adds a specific detail to the building’s long history. Anyone interested in church and art history will find several different historical periods represented in one place.

The Lower Gate offers a different perspective on the town’s history. Of Sulzburg’s original three town gates, it survives as the western end of the town centre. The structure dates back to the 13th century; its round-arched passageway and mansard roof give it a distinctive appearance. Together with St. Cyriak, it offers an opportunity to explore different historic landmarks in Sulzburg.

The history of mining also reaches far back. Evidence of hematite mining in the Sulzbach Valley around 5500 BC is considered the basis for describing Sulzburg as Germany’s oldest mining town. The Baden-Württemberg State Mining Museum was housed in a former Protestant parish church, regarded as an important testament to the town’s history and church heritage. In Sulzburg, the history of religious architecture and the history of mining thus offer different ways to explore the past.

Town Walks and Tours

The historic town walk in Sulzburg and Laufen includes a total of ten information panels on historic buildings. The buildings can be visited as part of a town walk. This gives your exploration a historical framework; you can take time to learn about the buildings and their panels rather than focusing your visit solely on individual structures.

For active days, wine walks through the vineyards are part of the local range of tours. There are also steep climbs on the Black Forest slopes. These differences are more useful when planning your trip than a general idea of hiking: consider whether you would prefer to walk among the vineyards or seek out tours with steep climbs. If you are travelling with children, you can take your family’s interests into account when choosing outings without assuming that every tour is suitable for all ages.

Weekly Market and Designation as a Climatic Health Resort

A weekly market selling a variety of regional products has been held in Sulzburg’s market square every Friday for over 15 years. Its regular day of the week gives you a definite opportunity to include a market visit in your stay. For families who appreciate regional products as well as historic sights, it is another reason to get to know Sulzburg.

Sulzburg has held the designation of climatic health resort since 1971, and this status is verified through regular measurements. A year-long measurement conducted in 2018/2019 found that the air quality and bioclimatic conditions required for a climatic health resort continued to be met without restriction. These measurements add another aspect of the town to its cultural and outdoor activities.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Stay?

If historic buildings and local history are your main interests, Sulzburg offers several specific places to explore. For active days, the deciding factors might be wine walks through the vineyards or steep climbs on the Black Forest slopes; the Friday market adds another distinctive attraction. Choose your holiday apartment based on which of these interests will shape your trip. This way, your choice is guided not by a general idea of the destination, but by the kind of stay you are looking for in Sulzburg.

If you would like to include other places in your search, you can also find Oberglottertal, Schluchsee, Horben, Staufen Im Breisgau, Sankt Peter Im Schwarzwald, Merzhausen, Freiburg Im Breisgau and Heuweiler here.

For the broader travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.