Esslingen Altstadt is an epicentre for colourful timbered houses, which match stereotypical German towns. Seemingly coming from a fairy tale, Esslingen’s old town is truly a contemporary witness of many centuries.Just 15km outside of Stuttgart is the half-timbered medieval town of Esslingen, an easy day trip from Stuttgart, which saw some destruction but not as much as its neighboring city. Some 60 houses were completely destroyed, 75, heavily damaged and a plethora more only slightly damaged. However, the town center is one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Germany and has the oldest row of inhabited half-timbered houses in the country while the entire town has over 200 half-timbered houses. Esslingen has around 800 historical buildings from all centuries from the Renaissance to the modern times, more than 1,200 years of architectural history in a very small space. Besides being a gem for those fairy-tale-like timbered houses, Esslingen is also a canal city. The Neckar River deviates into the urban city centre and forms both the Roßneckar- and Wehrneckarkanal. Both provided mills with hydropower. Today, it beautifies the cityscape and can also be used for boat tours.
One of the top canal spots is definitely the triangle, seen from Agnesbrücke, where both canals meet and proceed as the Roßneckarkanal into the Neckar River. The outcome of this is a top-notch photo motif together with Esslingen’s double tower church St. Dionys.
Rounding up with the former city gate “Schelztorturm” and its funny balancer art, the next part of Esslingen will be busier. The commercial street in Esslingen Altstadt is called “Innere Brücke”, a.k.a. the internal bridge. While you probably won’t encounter that mentioned bridge at first glance, other grandiose buildings can be spotted here. Especially the corner house with its colourful roof tiles at the t junction with the street “Unterer Metzgerbach” is a picturesque gem. Strolling northbound along Innere Brücke, the already mentioned bridge is within your grasp. Hold up because this is a bridge of culture.
Innere Brücke dates back to 1286! What sounds like an old bridge, is indeed Germany’s second oldest. Ever since it enables the inhabitants and visitors to cross the Roßneckarkanal. Additionally, the bridge offers a great view of Esslingen’s urban park “Maille” and district court along the canal.
