A gentle murmur accompanies your every step as you stroll across the massive, centuries-old oak planks. Through the small openings of the historic wooden structure, the deep green, fast-flowing waters of the Rhine flash into view. You are not in just any building, but on the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe. With every meter you walk toward the opposite bank, you leave Germany a little further and approach Switzerland.
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Nestled between the southernmost foothills of the Black Forest and the Swiss border lies a town brimming with charm, history, and romance. Bad Säckingen has become world-famous thanks to a single literary figure: the Trumpeter of Säckingen. But the historic old town has far more to offer than just a famous love song. Magnificent Baroque churches, enchanting forest lakes, hot thermal springs, and an incredibly high concentration of culture make this town on the Upper Rhine a perfect destination for couples, families, and those seeking tranquility.
In this insider guide, we'll take you through the winding streets of Bad Säckingen. Learn all about the trumpeter's secret, discover the mystical mountain lake, and plan your perfect trip to the southernmost part of the Black Forest.
The wooden bridge in Bad Säckingen: An architectural wonder of the world
The city's absolute landmark connects not only two riverbanks, but also two nations. The Bad Säckingen wooden bridge spans an incredible 203,7 meters (206,5 meters including the canopies) across the Rhine, linking the German town with the Swiss municipality of Stein. This makes it the longest covered wooden bridge in all of Europe.
Its history is marked by destruction and reconstruction. A bridge has stood on this site since the 13th century. It was repeatedly destroyed by devastating floods, ice floes, or in wars (such as the Thirty Years' War). The current, solid structure rests on massive stone pillars and consists of thick, hand-hewn wooden beams.
A walk across the bridge is an absolute must. Today, the structure is exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists (cars actually used to drive across it!). In the middle of the bridge, a white line on the wooden deck marks the exact border between Germany and Switzerland. A wonderful photo opportunity: standing with one foot in the Black Forest and the other in Switzerland!
In the Footsteps of Love: The Trumpeter of Säckingen
Few towns are as closely associated with a love story as Bad Säckingen. In 1854, the poet Joseph Victor von Scheffel published his epic masterpiece " The Trumpeter of Säckingen ".
The story is based on true events from the 17th century: Werner Kirchhofer, a middle-class, musically gifted man, falls in love with the noblewoman Maria Ursula von Schönau (called Margaretha in the book). Due to the significant difference in their social standing, their love is forbidden by her parents, and Werner is banished from the town. After years of separation and wandering, the Pope in Rome, impressed by Werner's trumpet playing, finally appoints him papal Kapellmeister and elevates him to the nobility – whereupon he is finally allowed to marry his great love in Säckingen.
The book was one of Germany's biggest bestsellers in the 19th century and instantly made the city a place of longing for romantics from all over Europe.
Schönau Castle and the Trumpet Museum
The story is kept alive at Schönau Castle , which is idyllically situated in a large English landscape park directly on the Rhine. The castle's magnificent rooms now house the Trumpet Museum.
It is unique in the world and houses a fascinating collection of historical trumpets spanning four centuries. Here, you are immersed in the world of Scheffel's fictional character.
A special experience: On summer weekends, a costumed “trumpeter” appears on the balcony of the castle or on the banks of the Rhine and plays the wistful melodies that once echoed across the river.
Fridolinsmünster: The baroque crown of the Upper Rhine
As you stroll through the pedestrian zone, the two distinctive onion domes of St. Fridolin's Minster are sure to catch your eye. The church is the religious and historical center of the city and dates back to the Irish itinerant monk St. Fridolin, who founded a monastery here in the 6th century and brought Christianity to the region.
The cathedral's architecture today is breathtaking. Upon entering, you'll be overwhelmed by the opulent Baroque and Rococo styles. Radiant white stucco, elaborate ceiling frescoes, and altars richly decorated with gold leaf captivate the eye.
The city's most important shrine is also located here: the Shrine of St. Fridolin , a masterfully crafted 18th-century silver reliquary containing the remains of the city's founder. Every year in March, the grand St. Fridolin Festival takes place, during which the shrine is carried through the entire city in a magnificent procession – a cultural highlight that attracts thousands of visitors.
Pure nature for the whole family: The mountain lake and the wildlife enclosure
Bad Säckingen is not only a cultural city, but also a green oasis. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the old town, you can drive a short distance up the slopes of the Black Forest until you reach the mountain lake.
This idyllic lake is picturesquely nestled in a dense pine forest. A flat, well-maintained circular path (approx. 1,5 kilometers) runs directly along the shore and is perfect for walks with a stroller or buggy. You can rent pedal boats on the lakeshore, while a large restaurant with a lakeside terrace invites you to enjoy coffee and fresh Black Forest cherry cake.
The free wildlife enclosure
Adjacent to the lake is another top destination for families: the city's wildlife park. In spacious, natural woodland enclosures, children can observe red deer, fallow deer, mouflon, and cheeky wild boar up close and completely free of charge. The grounds are wonderfully shady and an ideal retreat on hot summer days.
Relaxation in thermal water: The Aqualon Thermal Baths
Säckingen fully deserves its "Bad" (spa) designation. The town's hot springs were used for therapeutic purposes from early times. Today, the Aqualon Therme is the modern wellness center on the Upper Rhine.
The officially recognized thermal water bubbles pleasantly warm into large indoor and outdoor pools. Floor jets, neck showers, and a large current channel provide the necessary relaxation after a long day of sightseeing. The spacious sauna village is particularly impressive, designed partly in an Asian style and partly in a rustic Black Forest style. Anyone looking to truly warm up after a cold winter's day will find an absolute oasis here.
A spectacular day trip: The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen
Since Bad Säckingen is located directly on the Swiss border, it is the absolutely perfect starting point for one of the most spectacular excursions in Europe.
Following the Rhine upstream, after about 45 minutes you'll reach a natural spectacle of superlatives: the Rhine Falls. It's the largest waterfall in Europe ! Across a width of 150 meters, enormous masses of water plunge 23 meters into the depths below with a deafening roar. You can bravely take a small excursion boat right up to the base of the thundering falls or stand almost within arm's reach of the water on viewing platforms.
Vacation in Bad Säckingen
Would you like to wake up to a view of the sparkling Rhine, stroll across the historic wooden bridge during the day, and enjoy Baden wine and roast beef with onions in the charming old town streets in the evening? Bad Säckingen offers fantastic accommodations, whether you prefer to stay right in the lively old town or in a quieter spot by the mountain lake:
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Accommodation in Bad Säckingen
Do you prefer complete independence for yourself and your family to flexibly plan your trips to the Upper Rhine? Then browse through our overview of comfortable and modern holiday apartments in the region.
Arrival, parking and public transport tips
The city is logistically extremely well located in the far south of the holiday region and is very easy to reach.
| Transportation | Practical information & insider tips for the How to Arrive |
| By car | The best way to get there is via the motorway. A98 / B34 of Lörrach (coming from the direction of the A5) or from Switzerland via the Stein-Säckingen border crossing. |
| Smart Parking | If you want to visit the center, it's best to go to the Lohgerbe parking garage (Located directly next to the old town) or use the designated parking spaces at the festival grounds near the Rhine riverbank. For the lake, drive directly to the free forest parking lot at Mountain lake. |
| By train | Bad Säckingen is situated on the scenic Hochrheinbahn (Basel – Schaffhausen/Singen). From the train station, you can walk in less than 10 minutes through a beautiful avenue directly to the Fridolinsmünster. |
| Free with KONUS | The top holiday bonus: If you stay overnight in a participating Black Forest municipality in the region, you will receive the KONUS guest cardThis allows you to travel on the trains of the Hochrheinbahn and all regional buses. completely freePerfect for day trips along the Rhine! |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Bad Säckingen
Is it permitted to drive across the historic wooden bridge by car?
No. For safety and historical preservation reasons, the old wooden bridge is now only open to pedestrians and cyclists (and cyclists are actually required to dismount and push their bikes on the bridge). There is a separate, modern bridge for car traffic (Fridolin's Bridge) a short distance downstream.
Did the trumpeter of Säckingen really live?
The fictional character Joseph Victor von Scheffel is based on the real lives of Franz Werner Kirchhofer (1633–1690) and Maria Ursula von Schönau. Their love story and marriage were therefore real. However, Kirchhofer was a very wealthy merchant and musician, not a simple vagrant as the book often romanticizes him. Their actual gravestone can still be found on the outside wall of St. Fridolin's Church.
Does the wildlife enclosure at the mountain lake charge an entrance fee?
No, the spacious municipal wildlife park right next to the mountain lake is a freely accessible area in the forest and there is no entrance fee. It is a wonderful and free destination for families all year round (even in winter).
Do I need to take my passport with me when I cross the bridge?
Since the white line on the bridge marks the border with Switzerland (non-EU), you should officially carry a valid form of identification (an identity card is sufficient for EU citizens). Even though checks are rarely carried out there, you are legally considered to be in a foreign country once you are halfway across the bridge.
