Bürgerfest Rielingshausen — 1250-Year Celebration 2026

Rielingshausen — 1250 Years of History

The district of Rielingshausen belongs to the Schillerstadt Marbach am Neckar (Ludwigsburg district, Baden-Württemberg). With around 3,100 inhabitants, Rielingshausen is one of the older districts of Marbach — the first documented mention dates back to 776 AD in the Lorsch Codex, one of the most important early medieval written records for the history of the Frankish Empire and the monastery landscape of southwestern Germany. This mention makes the place one of the oldest documented settlements in the region.

1250-Year Celebration 2026

In 2026, Rielingshausen celebrates its 1250th anniversary. The entire year is filled with special events, exhibitions, and festive ceremonies. The highlight of the celebratory year is the Bürgerfest on July 25th and 26th, 2026, which is combined with the anniversary celebrations. Several pre-events in July round off the program — from historical lectures to special exhibitions and concerts.

Festival Start Saturday 4 PM

The Bürgerfest starts on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at 4:00 PM with an official opening ceremony. The mayor of Marbach am Neckar and the Rielingshausen local council will welcome the citizens; the festival weekend will be opened with a keg tapping, speeches about the 1250-year history, and the first musical program items. The festival grounds extend across the village center, including the community hall, church square, and adjacent streets.

Associations as Main Actors

As with most town district festivals in Baden-Württemberg, the associations are the central players. In Rielingshausen, these include, among others:

• Heimatverein Rielingshausen (Local History Association) — historical exhibitions, city tours, commemorative publication for the 1250-year celebration
• Musikverein (Music Association) — brass band performances on Saturday and Sunday
• Sport- und Turnverein (Sports and Gymnastics Association) — sports demonstrations, hands-on activities for children
• Feuerwehr Rielingshausen (Fire Department) — firefighting demonstrations, youth fire department activities
• Evangelical and Catholic Parish — festive church service, catering stands
• Schools and Kindergartens — performances, craft activities

Pre-Events in July 2026

Several program items will accompany the Bürgerfest weeks in advance. As expected:

• Special exhibition in the Rielingshausen Local History Museum on the 1250-year history
• Historical lecture "776 AD — Rielingshausen in the Lorsch Codex" (Marbach City Archive)
• Concerts by the Music Association and school choirs
• Possibly a commemorative publication with contributions from the Local History Association
• Specific dates will be announced by the city administration in spring/summer 2026

Marbach am Neckar — City of Schiller

Rielingshausen belongs to the city of Marbach am Neckar (approx. 16,200 inhabitants) — the famous birthplace of Friedrich Schiller (born in Marbach in 1759). Marbach is home to the German Literature Archive Marbach (DLA) on Schillerhöhe, one of the most important research and collection centers for German literature. Rielingshausen is located a few kilometers east of Marbach in the hilly foreland of the Stromberg — a rural district with the charm of an old village community.