At 12 places along the Waldensian Trail, 24 illustrated panels tell the story of the Waldensians and the historical sites of our village.
Waldensian Trail commemorates flight and expulsion
We invite you to discover the history of the flight and expulsion on the approx. 1,100 metre long Waldensian Trail through the centre of the village. 24 information boards at 12 locations tell you about the historical sites of Palmbach and the history of the Waldensians. The new Waldensian memorial "Gate of Arrival" symbolises the expulsion and the faith of the Waldensians. It was designed by the artists Barbara Jäger and OMI Riesterer and is located on the new Waldensian square on Talstrasse in Palmbach. The Waldensian Church is at the centre of the Waldensian Trail.
Who were the Waldensians?
The Waldensians go back to the wealthy merchant Peter Valdes from Lyon, who had the Bible translated into the vernacular at the end of the 12th century and, after renouncing his fortune, preached the gospel as a layman. As a result, the Waldensians were condemned and persecuted as heretics by the Catholic Church.
In 1698, around 3,000 French Waldensians and Huguenots were expelled from what is now Piedmont because of their reformed faith. The Waldensians were settled in southern Hesse and Württemberg. 450 of them were taken in by Landgrave Ernst Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt and settled near Mörfelden, including the later Palmbach Waldensians. As there were too few fields to cultivate, the Waldensians asked to be admitted to the Duchy of Württemberg in 1701. Fourteen years before Karlsruhe was founded, the Waldensians received permission from Duke Eberhard Ludwig of Württemberg, the brother-in-law of Margrave Carl Wilhelm, who later founded the city of Karlsruhe, to settle on his fallow land in the Grünwettersbach district. At first, the new settlers did not build permanent houses, but only barracks, because they hoped to return to their old homeland. This hope was not realised.
To Palmbach
Public transport:You can reach Palmbach within 20 minutes from Karlsruhe main station forecourt by bus 47, destination Stupferich. Get off at the Palmbach Kirche stop.
Barrier-free visit:
All areas of the Waldensian Trail, the locations of the steles and the Waldensian Square with monument are barrier-free. If you are travelling by public transport, use the barrier-free bus stop "Palmbach Winterrot".
Guided tours for visitor groups are offered by appointment. We invite you to explore the history of Palmbach on the Waldensian Trail through the centre of the village. The Waldensian village of Palmbach, today a hilltop district and the eastern gateway to Karlsruhe , is looking forward to your visit.
TIP
When visiting Palmbach, the Baden School Museum in the former Waldensian school is also well worth a visit. See www.badisches-schulmuseum.de. The Waldensian Church is also open to visitors on Sundays. (For visitor groups on weekdays by appointment)
