Welcome to Calw

With its almost 22,500 inhabitants, the district capital Calw is today also the largest town in the Calw administrative district. Nestled in the Nagold valley, the local recreational area, Calw is often referred to as the northern gateway to the Black Forest. The river Nagold, which flows right through the centre of the town, forms a natural boundary between the natural landscape of the Northern Black Forest in the South West and the Heckengäu plateau in the
North East.

Almost the entire centre of Calw is under monument protection. More than 200 buildings are listed houses dating
back to the late 17th century. Half-timbered buildings in Southern Germany differ from region to region on account of their great variety of stylistic elements. Stroll through the town with their streets lined with half-timbered houses – either on your own or with a guided tour.

Insider Tip

A town that has it all: Calw is the perfect blend of shopping, dining, culture and nature.

Things to do in Calw

Calw offers a wide variety of exciting activities for all ages. Fascinating museums, lively guided tours and hands-on encounters with nature make a visit to Calw a lasting experience.

Come with us and explore!

History of the town

The origins of the town date back to the 11th century. However, the first traces of human settlements go back to approx. 8,000 BC. In the Middle Ages, Calw was an important trading town, based particularly on its trade in textiles and leather. In the 18th century, timber rafting caused Calw’s economy to flourish. In the 1970s, Calw was awarded the status of district-affiliated town.

Architecture

Strolling across the market place and through the winding alleys of the town you appreciate the beauty of the medieval town. You encounter the many facets of timber framing in more than 200 buildings from the late 17th century: almost the entire town centre is under cultural heritage management.

Sightseeing

Calw offers informative and fascinating museums as well as public and private guided tours, themed walks on culture, architecture and nature topics. Insight into the historic traditional crafts of the town, guided tours for children and much more – Calw will impress you with its tremendous variety.

The town of Calw has in the true sense of the word devoted itself to art, culture and literature. No less than seven museums, including the Calw Town Museum (Vischer Palace), “The Tall One”, the Tannery Museum and the Farmhouse Museum in the community of Altburg invite you for a visit.

Museums

CALW, THE TOWN OF HALF-TIMBERED HOUSES

A succession of impressive half-timbered houses on the Market Square, in Lederstrasse, Altburger Strasse and in the steep, winding alleyways still conveys an impression of what the medieval town might have looked like. Almost the entire centre of Calw is under monument protection. More than 200 buildings are listed houses dating back to the late 17th century. The layout of the town dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries as, after each town fire, the new buildings were built on top of the old foundation walls and cellars.Today, the Christmas Market, the “Calw rocks” concert, Sunday shopping and many other events take place in this impressive setting.

Half-timbered buildings in Southern Germany differ from region to region on account of their great variety of stylistic elements, including the building material used. In Calw, thanks to the surrounding coniferous forests, the weather-resistant timber from fir trees was the material of choice. Stroll through the town with their streets lined with half-timbered houses – either on your own or with a guided tour. Experience the many facets of the South-German half-timbered buildings and in many a place feel the spirit of times long past.

ACCOMODATION

RESTAURANTS

In Calw there is a nice variety of restaurants, bars and pubs. Enjoy the culinary specialities of our region. There are some culinary delicacies that can only be found in the Black Forest: the world-famous Black Forest cake, smoked Black Forest ham, fresh Black Forest trout accompanied by homemade bread and served with Black Forest cherry brandy or mineral water. The innkeepers affiliated to the Black Forest nature park (in Calw the hotel “Kloster Hirsau”) and the Heckengäu chefs (in Calw “Alt Calw”) place great emphasis on regional cuisine.

Simply follow the link and explore.

CALW. THE OUTDOOR TOWN

Enjoy outdoor Calw

The unique countryside around Calw, nestling between picturesque valleys and sunny plateaus, lined with flowering meadows and green forests, offers all outdoor enthusiasts a real Eldorado for sport and relaxation. Leave your daily routine and all your cares behind you; recharge your batteries in the clear air between the Black Forest and the Gäu.

Refresh your spirits with a visit to the outdoor adventure pool in Stammheim, promote your fitness in the form of inline skating, Nordic walking, hiking or biking and relax afterwards with an exhibition, a reading or a visit to the cinema. Would you like to take a trip into the countryside, but not on your own?

Then the guided tours by e.g. the Black Forest guides or the Heckengäu nature guides are just what you are looking for. There is a wide range of offers all year round for young and old.