landmark
Maulbronn Monastery
The best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery complex north of the Alps, a tranquil UNESCO ensemble of Gothic cloisters.
15 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeGermanyBaden-Wurttemberg
Pforzheim
Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany · Europe
About Pforzheim
Pforzheim is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Ispringen, 35km from Altes Schloss Hohenbaden.
Pforzheim is in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, with about 120,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Ispringen, about 4 km away.
Pforzheim (German pronunciation: [ˈpfɔʁtshaɪm] ) is a city of over 135,000 inhabitants in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, in the southwest of Germany.
It is known for its jewelry and watch-making industry, and as such has gained the nickname Goldstadt ("Gold City"). With an area of 97.8 square kilometres (37.8Read more
sq mi), it is situated about halfway between the cities of Stuttgart and Karlsruhe at the confluence of three rivers (Enz, Nagold and Würm). It lies on the border of Baden and Württemberg, on the Baden side. From 1535 to 1565, it was the home to the Margraves of Baden-Durlach.
The City of Pforzheim is a Stadtkreis, meaning it is both a municipality and a district at the same time. Also, it hosts the administrative offices of the Enz district that surrounds the city.
During World War II, Pforzheim was bombed by the Allies a number of times. The largest raid, and one of the most devastating area bombardments of World War II, was carried out by the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the evening of 23 February 1945. Nearly one third of the town's population, 17,600 people, were killed in the air raid, and about 83% of the town's buildings were destroyed. The Allies believed that precision instruments were being produced here for use in the German war effort and that the town was a transport centre for the movement of German troops.
From 1945 to 1948, Pforzheim (after the initial French occupation) was administered by the United States military and was part of the short-lived state of Württemberg-Baden. In the 20 years following the end of the war, Pforzheim was gradually rebuilt. The town reflects the architecture of the postwar period and has some landmark buildings of the 1950s.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Pforzheim?
Within an hour or so of Pforzheim: Maulbronn Monastery (15 km), Solituderennen (29 km), Erlebnispark Tripsdrill (31 km), Motorworld Stuttgart (31 km).
Are there any good drives near Pforzheim?
The nearest famous roads are Solituderennen, Schwarzwaldhochstraße and Schwarzwaldhochstrasse (B500).
Where is Pforzheim?
Pforzheim is in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, about 4 km from Ispringen.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 119,313
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- Baden-Wurttemberg
- Timezone
- Europe/Berlin
- Coordinates
- 48.8844, 8.6989
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Germany
ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22. No general speed limit on some autobahn sections but advisory 130 km/h.
Full driving guide for GermanyTags
Worth the detour from Pforzheim
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
Solituderennen
A 11.4km road circuit through the forest west of Stuttgart that drew 300,000 spectators to Grand Prix races in the 1960s. The public roads still run the old lap past Schloss Solitude, and the course is entirely drivable today.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Erlebnispark Tripsdrill
Charming Swabian-themed park near Stuttgart combining traditional German culture with exciting rides and a wildlife park.
31 km · about 35 min drive
cafe
Motorworld Stuttgart
A spectacular automotive experience centre in a former airport with classic car dealers, workshops, restaurants, and a boutique hotel.
31 km · about 35 min drive
museum
Porsche Museum
A striking modernist building showcasing over 80 vehicles tracing Porsche's legendary sports car and racing heritage.
34 km · about 40 min drive
castle
Altes Schloss Hohenbaden
Ruined twelfth-century castle walls crown a forested ridge above spa town Baden-Baden with sweeping Rhine valley views.
35 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Baden-Baden
An elegant spa town at the edge of the Black Forest, famed for its thermal baths, casino, and the Festspielhaus concert hall.
36 km · about 40 min drive
castle
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace
One of Europe's largest baroque palaces dazzles with 452 rooms and vast 'Blooming Baroque' gardens north of Stuttgart.
36 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Pforzheim
- 29 kmSolituderennenA 11.4km road circuit through the forest west of Stuttgart that drew 300,000 spectators to Grand Prix races in the 1960s. The public roads still run the old lap past Schloss Solitude, and the course is entirely drivable today.
- 43 kmSchwarzwaldhochstrasse (Black Forest High Road)The B500 ridge road runs 60 km from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt through dense pine forest, passing the Mummelsee lake and spa towns, with sweeping viewpoints over the Rhine plain.
- 47 kmSchwarzwaldhochstraßeThe Black Forest High Road climbs the B500 past pine ridges, moorland lakes and panoramic pull-offs from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt.
- 48 kmSchwarzwaldhochstrasse (B500)The Black Forest High Road along the ridge from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt, flowing curves through spruce forest.
- 62 kmDeutsche WeinstraßeGermany's oldest wine route winds 85 km past vineyards, almond blossoms and half-timbered villages through the Palatinate.
Driving in Germany
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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