Historischer Markt Großbottwar
Medieval spectacle in the Bottwartal old town
About Historischer Markt Großbottwar
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Historischer Markt Großbottwar al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Medieval times in Großbottwar's Old Town
Großbottwar is located in the Bottwartal valley in the Ludwigsburg district and boasts one of Württemberg's most beautiful preserved half-timbered old towns. With its rich collection of Renaissance and half-timbered buildings — including the famous Storchennest-Haus from 1525 — the old town provides an ideal backdrop for medieval reenactments. The Historischer Markt, organized by MAG Großbottwar (Mittelaltermarkt-Arbeitsgemeinschaft), utilizes this very setting and has been drawing thousands of visitors to the town annually for almost two decades.
19th Edition in 2026
The 19th edition runs from September 26 to 27, 2026. The market opens on Saturday at 2 PM and runs until midnight, and on Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM. The admission price is thematically phrased in the language of the Middle Ages: 6 Silberlinge Wegzoll (silver coins toll) for both days; children "under measuring stick height" (below approx. 110 cm) are free. The toll ticket is valid for both days.
What awaits you
The alleys of the old town are alive with activity: jugglers, jesters, and stilt walkers entertain with their acts in the narrow streets. Fire-eaters and musicians provide medieval sounds — from bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies to tambourines. Craftsmen demonstrate their skills in open workshops: knife sharpening, blacksmithing, bookbinding, rope making — all in medieval style. Merchants offer mead and beer, roasted suckling pig, wood-fired bread, game sausages, cheese, and medieval sweets. In the squares, magicians, fortune-tellers, and theatre groups perform. Knights in armor conduct demonstrations and small tournaments.
Children's Program and Night Watchman Theatre
The market is explicitly family-friendly: knights' tournament for children, barrel carousel, storytelling, and archery are the main attractions for the youngest visitors. A special experience is the Night Watchman Theatre Tour on Saturday evening: at eight stations, the story of Großbottwar citizen Jakob Friederle is told — a theatrical city tour that brings the heritage of the old town to life.
Großbottwar and the Bottwartal Valley
Großbottwar is a town in the Ludwigsburg district, located in the Bottwartal valley — one of the most beautiful valley landscapes in northern Baden-Württemberg. The town, with its approximately 8,500 inhabitants, thrives on viticulture (Bottwartal wines are among Württemberg's most sophisticated vintages), tourism, and its medieval heritage. The Stork's Nest city wall, the Renaissance castle, and the 13th-century town church, along with the half-timbered town, form a cohesive historic town center. Visitors to the Historischer Markt should take time for a stroll through the old town — the setting is part of the experience.
Historischer Markt Großbottwar — edition 2026
The 19th Historischer Markt takes place in 2026 on Saturday, September 26 (2 PM–12 AM) and Sunday, September 27 (11 AM–7 PM) in Großbottwar's old town. The organizer is MAG Großbottwar (Mittelaltermarkt-Arbeitsgemeinschaft).
Admission price: 6 Silberlinge Wegzoll (= 6 Euro) for both days. Children under measuring stick height are free. Tickets available at the town gates.
Programme Historischer Markt Großbottwar 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — 2:00 PM–12:00 AM
- 2:00 PM — Market opening at the town gates
- Jesters, jugglers, and stilt walkers parade through the alleys
- Craftsmen workshops open in the courtyards
- Merchants offer mead, beer, suckling pig, wood-fired bread
- Musicians with bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, tambourines
- Fire-eaters in the afternoon and evening
- Knight demonstrations and small tournaments
- Theatre groups, magicians, fortune-tellers in the squares
- Evening — Night Watchman Theatre Tour in 8 stations with the story of Großbottwar citizen Jakob Friederle
- Market closes at 12:00 AM
Sunday, September 27, 2026 — 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
- 11:00 AM — Market opens on the 2nd day
- Extended Children's Program:
- Knights' tournament for children
- Barrel carousel
- Storytelling
- Archery with historical bows
- Lunch and refreshments all day
- Ongoing program by jesters, musicians, and theatre groups
- Market closes at 7:00 PM
Market Program Highlights
- Jesters and Jugglers with acrobatics in the alleys
- Fire-eaters with their pyrotechnic shows
- Stilt walkers towering over the visitors' heads
- Musicians: bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, tambourines, medieval string instruments
- Craftsmen: knife sharpening, blacksmithing, bookbinding, rope making
- Merchants: mead, beer, roasted suckling pig, bread, game sausages, cheese, medieval sweets
- Magicians and Fortune-tellers
- Theatre groups
- Knights in armor and demonstrations
Highlights Historischer Markt Großbottwar 2026
- 19th edition in Großbottwar's half-timbered old town
- Jesters, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, musicians
- Night Watchman Theatre on Saturday evening (8 stations)
- Children's program with knights' tournament and archery
- 6 Silberlinge toll (6 €) for both days
Prices Historischer Markt Großbottwar 2026
Wegzoll (toll): 6 Silberlinge (= 6 €) for both festival days. Children under measuring stick height (approx. 110 cm) are free. Tickets available at the old town gates. Food and drinks are paid for separately at the market stalls — from mead and beer (typically 4–6 €) to suckling pig, sausages, bread, and sweets.
Practical information — Historischer Markt Großbottwar
Getting there
Großbottwar is located in the Ludwigsburg district, between Marbach and Backnang. By car: A81 exit Mundelsheim, then L1100. By train: S4 (Stuttgart–Backnang), stop Marbach, then bus 471 to Großbottwar. Parking on the outskirts of town, then walk to the old town — the town center is traffic-calmed during the festival.
Tickets
6 Silberlinge Wegzoll (6 €) for both festival days. Children under measuring stick height (approx. 110 cm) are free. Tickets available at the town gates. Tickets are valid for both days.
Opening Hours
Saturday, September 26, 2026: 2:00 PM–12:00 AM | Sunday, September 27, 2026: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Good to know
Those who come in medieval costume receive a special bonus — the atmosphere is geared towards costumed visitors. Bring cash, as not all stalls accept card payments. Children's program and Night Watchman Theatre on Saturday evening.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Historischer Markt Großbottwar al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Historischer Markt Großbottwar
Historische Altstadt Großbottwar
Altstadt Großbottwar, 71723 Großbottwar