Gengenbach under construction--should I still go?

We stayed in Gengenbach for 5 nights in early May this year. The town hall was covered in scaffolding, and I do recall some near the Abbey, but not obscuring it. It didn’t really impact our visit as the vast majority of the town was fine. Although perhaps there has been more construction since we were there??

Gengenbach turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Thanks to those on the forum who recommended it. I had a very enjoyable few days exploring the historic streets, the market, restaurants and cafes, independent shops, small museums and the Abbey garden was lovely.

Ethel, thank you for this. I really don't want to miss Gengenbach completely. Also, I have searched for hours but have not found other lodging in the area that seems right for me.

May I ask what else you did, your favorite day trips?

Hello Ann, unfortunately I can’t be much help with day trips as we didn’t do many. We were in the middle of a long trip and feeling some inertia - in any case, we sort of like just stopping in one place and doing local everyday things. My husband did several walks in the hills and birdwatching in the forest. I mainly pottered around town people watching and testing out my few words of high school German in the local shops and cafes. The market in the town square on Wednesday and Saturday had excellent produce, particularly if you are self catering.
We did catch the train towards Triberg one day to see a bit of countryside, which was nice. We received a card from our accommodation which allowed for free travel over quite a distance had we been so inclined.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Gengenbach:)

Ann, from everything I have read, there is only one building that is being renovated and that is the Rathaus (town hall), which is undergoing reconstruction for the next couple of years. BUT they still plan to use it as their giant Advent Calendar over the Christmas season, and from what I've read, the scaffolding is not terribly invasive.

I saw that post you were talking about, Ann, and I thought at the time it was a bit overdramatized. Also, that post was written about a trip that took place over 2 years ago. As mentioned by Ethan, Gengenbach is so charming and it would be a shame for you to miss it. Even with a building or two under construction, it will be lovely and a fun place to visit. And it's really one of the most convenient places to stay, given that it is on the main train line.

I'm heading there myself in December for the Christmas market, and have no intention of staying anyplace else. 😊

I went to the Christmas market there in 2023 and it was festive. We were supposed to spend a few days there this May and I booked lodging, but unfortunately our entire trip was cancelled. I do hope to go back with my husband so he can see it. We love Germany.

The Rathaus is said to be what makes Gengenbach's Christmas market so unique - every Christmas season it gets a makeover that turns it into a gigantic Advents Calendar, which sadly won't be possible this year and probably not next year eithers

Russ, I believe that is incorrect. Every article/website I've gone to (including the town website) says that they will have the Advent Calendar this year and onward through the renovation (which is estimated to be completed next year). FWIW, I do have an email in to the Gengenbach tourist office, but since they have the dates for this year's advent calendar and market on their website, I have no reason to think that it will not take place.

I was in Gengenbach last week for much of the week, leaving Friday.

We stayed just outside the tower, Obertorturm, mentioned just above as being covered in scaffolding. NOPE - none there. I drove and walked through the gate in the tower at least a dozen times - nothing at all like that. There was one temporary barricade positioned just outside the gate which no issue whatsoever.

Yes, the Rathaus is still under scaffolding - but the fabric on the outside is printed to replicate what is behind it, so very little issue at all. The statue out front has been temporarily removed for conservation, the plinth is still there.

Same Gengenbach that we have been visiting most years - same great gelato (new owner), the bakery, all the shops, the cute public WCs, everything. Trains ran on time too. Niggelturm in good shape too.

And I drove and walked under the Kinzigtor several times too. No issues anywhere around there.

Go and enjoy.

Thanks for the heads-up, mardee. I should have double-checked the source I referenced on the Rathaus renovations. It is quite surprising that the town is promising the Christmas Calendar display and full access under the circumstances, as you reported, but it appears upon further reading that despite the multi-year work that is required to finish up, the authorities have prioritized the front facade work in such a way that the show will indeed go on this Christmas. That being the main possible bugaboo, only the fate of the fountain remains in question, really. So I am deleting my previous post.

Wow, everyone, thank you for all of your research and for your responses. Gengenbach is sounding better all the time and I will definitely be staying there!

By the way, one reason I got spooked by the Gengenbach scaffolding was because I was in Wernigerode last Christmas, and the iconic town hall, which I was so looking forward to seeing, was completely shrouded in black. It really changed the nature of the Rathausplatz, and cast a pall over the market, at least IMO.