Tobacco cultivation has shaped Hatzenbühl’s history and features as a subject in its own right on the tobacco trail. Hatzenbühl lies on the northern edge of the Bienwald; well-preserved half-timbered houses stand in the town center, and St. Wendelinus preserves further layers of history. This offers different ways to plan your visit: a themed trail of approximately two kilometers, local history, and cycling on a route around the Bienwald.

Tobacco on a Trail of Its Own

The publicly accessible tobacco trail begins at the rectory garden in Hatzenbühl and is approximately two kilometers long. Information boards explain the work involved in growing tobacco plants; the trail also presents the entire tobacco-growing season. The route therefore covers everything from the practical work with the plants to the wider annual cycle of tobacco cultivation. Parking for the tobacco trail is available opposite the town hall.

Tobacco History and Early Settlement

In 1573, pastor Anselm Anselmann planted tobacco in the rectory garden. Hatzenbühl is considered Germany’s oldest tobacco-growing community, and around 300 tobacco drying sheds still stand in the town. A tobacco queen, elected for a two-year term, represents the historic tobacco culture; the role and election cycle may change over time. The documentary record begins later: Hatzenbühl was first documented in 1272. Remains of Roman graves and a villa rustica point to settlement in the area of present-day Hatzenbühl around 2,000 years ago.

Half-Timbered Houses and St. Wendelinus

Well-preserved half-timbered houses shape the town center. At St. Wendelinus, further traces of different periods come together: the historic tower and choir date from the 13th century. The church was rebuilt in 1929–1930 under Pastor Josef Ohmer and contains a copy of the Madonna of Speyer. This offers a second perspective on Hatzenbühl, distinct from its tobacco history: architecture and church art sit alongside the town’s agricultural history.

Planning Routes in the Bienwald

Hatzenbühl is one of the municipalities included in the Bienwald visitor management plan. The project aims to signpost or mark approximately 210 kilometers of hiking trails and 150 kilometers of cycling routes. These are project goals, not a guarantee that all routes have already been marked. The figures show the scope of the planned signposting and marking, while the tobacco trail is a specific local themed route.

Cycling Around the Bienwald

The Around the Bienwald route follows marked cycle paths and low-traffic roads around the Bienwald. To get there by bike, you can follow the signs from Jockgrim station to Hatzenbühl and join the route at the edge of town. The difference from the tobacco trail lies in the focus: the trail is about the work involved in tobacco cultivation, while this is a cycling route around the Bienwald.

Another Agricultural Topic

The processing of fresh sauerkraut is also associated with Hatzenbühl: a large proportion of the fresh sauerkraut consumed in southern Germany is processed here. This adds another agricultural topic alongside tobacco cultivation.

Discover more destinations: Steinweiler, Germersheim, Winden, Zeiskam, Hördt, Rülzheim, Schwegenheim, Minfeld.

Return to the broader travel overview: Germersheim.