Forgotten Spaces The Lost Places of Baden-Württemberg

Once off-limits to civilians, the former military training area near Münsingen is today one of Baden-Württemberg’s largest unspoilt natural landscapes. Decades of restricted access has not only preserved the wildlife and scenery, but also remnants of history, including the abandoned village of Gruorn. Its church, cemetery, and old schoolhouse - all accessible only on foot or by bike - bear witness to the fate of the village’s former residents. Visitors can learn more about their story from information boards and a small museum housed in the former schoolhouse, where refreshments are available, as well as at the nearby, historic 'Altes Lager', or Old Camp, where the former troop accommodation has been reborn as the Albgut. Other beautifully restored buildings are now home to hotels, restaurants, workshops, and event venues - yet in the site’s quiet corners and the atmosphere of the past still lingers.

Hidden away from the lively streets of Ludwigsburg, the tranquil remains of Marienwahl Palace tell a story of grace and quiet grandeur. Built around 1824 by architect Ludwig Abel for General Ferdinand von Varnbüler, the classicist estate later became a royal retreat. Prince Wilhelm of Württemberg and his family sought rest here from 1878 until his coronation in 1891, expanding the property with a stud farm in the 1880s. Princess Pauline of Wied, who later bred horses on the grounds, was laid to rest there to be near her beloved animals. Visitors today can still explore her grave and the ruins of the stables - a serene blend of nature, history, and a royal past.

Once a brotherhood house of the Order of St. John, Dätzingen Castle today dominates the heart of Grafenau’s Dätzingen district. Nearby lies the castle’s lesser-known cemetery, where several notable personalities rest in peace. Although an information board marks the historic site, it often goes unnoticed by visitors, yet it is well worth a visit: the old aristocratic burial ground lies within what was once a grand English-style park. Centuries ago, guests strolled through the gardens, enjoyed open-air performances, and attended plays and operas performed from a small island stage within the ornamental pond. The Dätzingen Castle Association is dedicated to the areas' preservation and restoration and warmly welcomes visitors.

Once alive with the laughter of children and the scent of sunscreen, Baienfurt's nature pool in Ravensburg is now overgrown with moss and surrounded by birdsong. Documented as a spa as early as the 15th century, it became a popular water park and event venue in the 1920s. Since its closure in the mid-1970s, the buildings have gradually fallen into disrepair, with the main hall lost to a fire in the 1990s. Nature has now reclaimed the site. Entry is still prohibited, however plans are underway to revive the historic location as a hotel and restaurant. In the meantime, the location is still gaining attention: in 2025 scenes from the TV series 'Die Toten vom Bodensee', or The Dead of Lake Constance, where filmed here.