Markelsheim combines winegrowing, local architectural and cultural monuments, and walking trails. Around 90 hectares of vineyards are cultivated here. At the same time, the specifically named buildings range from the wayside shrine on HauptstraĂźe to the Renaissance chapel at the Tauber Bridge. You can tailor your trip to wine and outdoor activities, or focus more on architecture and local history.
Winegrowing and Events
The wine festival in Markelsheim takes place every year one week after Pentecost; the exact date varies. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year. For groups of six or more, Weingärtner Markelsheim e.G. arranges private cellar tours by appointment. A tour lasts about one hour, costs a flat rate of €80.00 and includes a wine tasting. As visitor offers may change, ask about the current terms when making an appointment.
Buildings and Local History
The wayside shrine in front of the Bürgerhaus at Hauptstraße 53 is a cultural monument under Section 2 of the DSchG (monument protection law) and has documentary value because of its high-quality artistic design. The portal and Madonna statue on the façade at Hauptstraße 50 also have documentary value due to their artistic design and are classified as cultural monuments under Section 2 of the DSchG.
The Historic Town Hall features a town coat of arms and small half-timbered oriel turrets. St. Margaretha Mountain Church was formerly the chapel of the Beguine convent on Engelsberg. The Renaissance chapel at the Tauber Bridge dates from 1848 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The bell tower was built from 1490 to 1494, stands 48 m high and has a belfry with four bells; the oldest dates from 1522. The Hohenlohe–Tauber Jewish Heritage Trail passes through Markelsheim.
Hiking and Regional Routes
Markelsheim has an extensive network of hiking trails; the suggested routes are between 7 and 20 km long. A vineyard hike with the “Taubertäler Häcker” is around 6 km long, takes about three hours and has an elevation gain of 139 m. Along the way, you can taste top Taubertal wines in the Markelsheim vineyards. At around 6 km, this route is shorter than the suggested 7-to-20-km routes; an approximate duration and elevation gain are also provided for it.
The 7th stage of the Way of St. James is 20.4 km long, slightly longer than the suggested routes of up to 20 km. It leads from Markelsheim via Weikersheim and Laudenbach Mountain Church to Niederstetten; the starting point is the Tauber Bridge. Check the route’s facilities and trail markings separately before setting out.
From Markelsheim, you can explore the landscapes of the “Lovely Tauber Valley” and its surroundings along the “Romantic Road.” Cycling routes in the Lovely Tauber Valley and its surroundings include “Lovely Tauber Valley – The Classic,” “Lovely Tauber Valley – The Sportive,” the “Romantic Road” cycle route, the Württemberg Wine Cycle Route and a wine tour through the Taubertal Wine Country.
For the broader travel overview: Bad Mergentheim.
