Happy TravellerWelcome to Tuttlingen, a picturesque town located in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, Tuttlingen is a town that is steeped in tradition and culture. From its stunning natural landscapes to its world-renowned surgical equipment industry, Tuttlingen has something to offer every traveler. Join us as we explore the many wonders of this charming town and discover why it should be on your travel itinerary.
Geography:
Tuttlingen is located in the Swabian Jura region of Germany, east of the Black Forest. The town is situated in the valley of the Upper Danube, with the river flowing on both sides of the town. The Honberg mountain, which has ruins of a fortress built in the Middle Ages, overlooks the town.
History:
The name Tuttlingen suggests that it was a Celtic settlement long before the Romans built a border castellum at the limes. During the Middle Ages, Tuttlingen was first mentioned in 797 and belonged to the monastery of Reichenau shortly thereafter. The town received its town privileges before 1338 and belonged to Württemberg since 1376/77. During the Thirty Years War, Tuttlingen was constantly embattled as the southern outpost of the Duchy of Württemberg. A key event was the Battle of Tuttlingen on 24 November 1643 in which the entire French army was defeated by the united Imperial-Bavarian troupes under Franz von Mercy, Melchior Graf von Hatzfeldt, and Johann von Werth. Tuttlingen was an administrative seat early on, and in 1755 it became an administrative seat of Württemberg. In 1869 Tuttlingen was connected to the railway system, which was important for its industrial development. During the NS (National Socialists or Nazi Party) regime Tuttlingen had prison camps and forced labor camps, whose inmates worked for the local industry. In 1945 Tuttlingen became part of Württemberg-Hohenzollern, and in 1952 part of the newly founded state Baden-Württemberg.
Economy:
Tuttlingen is home to over 1,900 businesses ranging from one-man to multinational companies. The town is known for its surgical equipment industry, with more than 600 surgical equipment companies located in Tuttlingen. Fifty percent of the world’s surgical equipment is manufactured in Tuttlingen. The town’s medical technology firms are closely linked with the medical technology cluster in the Pakistani district Sialkot. Tuttlingen was also historically a center for shoe manufacturing, as many tanneries were located at the Danube.
Cultural Events:
Each summer, the festival Honberg Sommer attracts visitors to concerts with international bands, cabaret artists, and beer gardens. Tuttlingen’s pedestrian precinct offers a market twice a week, a fountain, shops, and art displays.
Twin Towns – Sister Cities:
Tuttlingen is twinned with Battaglia Terme, Italy; Bex, Switzerland; Bischofszell, Switzerland; Draguignan, France; and Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria.
Notable People:
Johann Georg Gödelmann, legal professor and diplomat; Hermann Dold, entrepreneur and politician (CDU), parliamentary deputy; Edmund Heckler, engineer and weapons manufacturer; Jürgen Lässig, racing driver; Wolfgang Volz, photographer; Laura Weihenmaier, volleyball player.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or natural beauty, Tuttlingen has something to offer every traveler. Come and experience the charm of this hidden gem for yourself!
