Ganerbenfest Bönnigheim

Commemoration of the Ganerbenschaft

The Ganerbenfest commemorates an extraordinary episode of medieval town history: In the 14th century, Bönnigheim was jointly ruled by four noble families — a so-called Ganerbenschaft, where several families shared castle rights, income, and administration. This constellation was rare in the Holy Roman Empire and left a lasting mark on the town: traces of the four noble families are still visible in the old town today (coat of arms stones, patrician houses, the former castle). Every two years, Bönnigheim celebrates this history with a large town festival in the old town alleys.

Opening with Star Run by Clubs

The festival begins on Friday evening with the star run by clubs: Children's groups, youth clubs, and adults from four Bönnigheim clubs march in historical costumes from the four town districts (corresponding to the four Ganerben tribes) to the market square, where they are welcomed by the mayor and the Bönnigheim Wine Princess. The official opening speech kicks off the three days of festivities. Afterwards, the first bands play on the stages.

Five Stages, 40 Stalls

Over the three days, around five stages with live music are spread across the main street, the market square, Cyriakusplatz, and the side streets: Rock, Pop, Blues, Swabian folk music, choirs, dance groups. In addition, there are around 40 stalls from clubs, restaurants, wineries from the Heuchelberg and Stromberg regions, as well as craftspeople and a small art market. The shops in the town center open with extended hours — the Ganerbenfest includes an open shopping Saturday and Sunday.

Families, Guests, Partner Towns

For families, there are memory games, face painting, a barefoot path, and skill games. An inclusion station invites visitors to a wheelchair course and sign language games. Partner towns Neukirch (Saxony) and Balatonboglár (Hungary) are regular guests at the Ganerbenfest. The Hungarian guests bring wine and folklore, and a delegation from Saxony comes with its own stand.

Bönnigheim in the Ludwigsburg District

Bönnigheim is located in the Ludwigsburg district of Baden-Württemberg, at the transition from the Stromberg and Heuchelberg hills, in the middle of the Württemberg wine-growing region. The historic old town with St. Cyriakus Church, the castle, the former Latin schoolhouse, and the town gates has been restored in accordance with monument protection guidelines since the 1980s. The Ganerbenfest is both a town festival and a festival of Bönnigheim's identity — anyone who has been here understands a piece of southwestern German urban history.