Bretten, the "Melanchthon City"

Along with the city's core, Bretten's municipal area comprises nine quarters: Bauerbach, Neibsheim, Büchig, Diedelsheim, Rinklingen, Dürrenbüchig, Gölshausen, Ruit, and Sprantal. Over the course of the 20th century, this prominent Kraichgau community developed from a picturesque rural hamlet into an important center of industry. Historic churches, distinctive towers and fountains, and community centers dating back to before the city's destruction in 1689 now stand amidst its modern architecture.

A variety of cultural events, including many that are well-known beyond the region, play a key role in the quality of life Bretten's citizens enjoy. The number of visitors drawn by its historical attractions – the medieval ambience of the city's old town in particular – also continues to grow. Each year, around 80,000 flock to Bretten just for the Peter-und-Paul-Fest, one of the oldest folk festivals in southwestern Germany. In the Melanchthonhaus, the city also boasts the second-largest Reformation history museum in the country.

Nestled in the Tuscany of Germany (as the Kraichgau region is known to many), Bretten has a great deal to offer nature enthusiasts, as well. Take the more than 450 paths that have carved their way deep into the region's loamy earth for centuries, or other elements typical of the Kraichgau landscape: thousands of hills, lakes and streams, rustic inns, lush vineyards, and green meadows dotted with fruit trees.

Such attractions are also easy for visitors to reach thanks to Bretten's proximity to the A5, A6, and A8 autobahns; the intersection of the Karlsruhe-Heilbronn and Stuttgart-Bruchsal rail lines; and, in particular, the railway networks of Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, and Bruchsal. These favorable transport connections are a boon for local businesses, as well.

In addition to being an integral part of the Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion, Bretten is a major district city that holds its own against the Baden-Württemberg trifecta of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Pforzheim. Indeed, its economic structure now features both a potent range of industries and numerous innovative companies.