Nagold Citizen Theatre — Summer Magic on the Hohennagold Castle Ruins

Citizen Theatre at the Castle Ruins

The Nagold Citizen Theatre was founded in 2011 as an ambitious cultural project of the town of Nagold (Calw district, Baden-Württemberg state). Since then, the ensemble has staged a major open-air production every few years against the unique backdrop of the Hohennagold Castle Ruins. Each play is written specifically for this venue and directed by Silvester Keller, who is the artistic director of the Citizen Theatre. All previous productions have been audience successes.

The 2026 Production — "Nagold 1848"

For 2026, Silvester Keller has written the play "Nagold 1848" – a historical drama about the March Revolution in Nagold and the so-called 'Nagold Excesses'. The focus is on March 1848: The German Revolution is underway, the people are demanding democracy and human rights. In Nagold, a mayoral election is imminent, and tensions are high. During the celebrations after the election, the situation escalates, shots are fired, a district judge is injured, and investigators must uncover the incident. The play combines historical facts with fictional characters, making the spirit of the 1848 revolution accessible to a modern audience.

The Hohennagold Castle Ruins as a Venue

The Hohennagold Castle Ruins have stood on the Schlossberg above Nagold's old town since the 13th century. Built by the Counts of Tübingen, it was a landmark of the town for centuries. Today, the curtain walls, the preserved keep, and remnants of the palace are impressive – an atmospherically dense backdrop for theatre evenings under the northern Black Forest night sky. The Citizen Theatre skillfully uses the topography of the ruins for performances, fights, and mass scenes that would not be possible in a conventional theatre hall.

Ensemble and Artistic Direction

The ensemble consists of amateur actors from Nagold and the surrounding region, supplemented by professional performers in key roles. Silvester Keller – author, director, and artistic director – has shaped the Citizen Theatre since its founding in 2011, writing a new, site-specific play for each production. Previous productions have included the region's Celtic history ('Celtic Fantasy against the historical backdrop of Hohennagold') and other episodes from the town's history.

Nagold in the Northern Black Forest

The town of Nagold (~22,000 inhabitants) in the Calw district is one of the cultural centres of the northern Black Forest. Known for its beautiful old town with half-timbered houses, the garden show grounds in the city park, and its historically significant location at the crossroads of several trade routes, it offers an attractive setting for a theatre evening followed by a stroll through the town or a visit to a restaurant.