Bad Säckingen Scheffeljahr-Stadtfest — 200 Years of Scheffel

Joseph Victor von Scheffel and His City

Joseph Victor von Scheffel (1826–1886) was one of the most popular German poets of the 19th century — best known for the epic narrative poem "Der Trompeter von Säckingen" (1854), which made Bad Säckingen world-famous. The small town on the High Rhine, on the Swiss border, became a symbol of German Romanticism through Scheffel's verse — the trumpeter, the castle, the minster, and the wooden bridge became images that shaped generations.

The Scheffeljahr 2026 — A Year of Programming

2026 marks the 200th anniversary of Scheffel's birthday (February 16, 1826). The city of Bad Säckingen is using this anniversary to dedicate the entire year to the motto "Scheffeljahr". The programme includes:

• Birthday exhibition at the Hochrheinmuseum Schloss Schönau: "Scheffel and the Trumpeter City — A Birthday Exhibition" — opening on April 1, 2026, at 6 p.m.
• Theatre productions featuring Scheffel's works
• Readings, lectures, films
• Special exhibitions in galleries and libraries
• Concerts with music from Scheffel's era
• The grand city festival on June 27, 2026 as the emotional highlight

The City Festival on June 27 — The Climax

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the grand Bad Säckingen city festival will take place, focusing on the Scheffel tradition. Organized by the city of Bad Säckingen with the Tourist Information and local associations, the festival showcases the full spectrum of Bad Säckingen's culture: historical theatre performances based on the trumpeter story, traditional costume groups, brass bands, catering with Baden specialities, live music, and an evening festival programme. The exact programme details will be published by the city in the spring of 2026.

Bad Säckingen on the High Rhine

Bad Säckingen is a spa town with just under 17,800 inhabitants, located directly on the High Rhine, opposite Stein am Rhein (Aargau) in Switzerland. The town has an exceptionally well-preserved old town centre with the Fridolinsmünster (one of the most important Romanesque-Gothic church buildings in Southern Germany), the Trumpeter's Castle, and the historic wooden bridge over the Rhine (at 203 metres, the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe). The combination of history, spa culture (thermal baths), and its border location with Switzerland makes Bad Säckingen one of the richest small towns in Baden-Württemberg.