Kleincomburg
On a small mountain ridge across from Großcomburg lies Kleincomburg
donated in 1108 by Count Heinrich. The former monastery St. Gilgen was
briefly a convent and served as the administrative seat for Großcomburg
until 1673. At this time it was converted to an almshouse for poor
women. From 1713 to 1802 Kleincomburg housed a Capuchin monastery.
Following various other uses, the state established a prison here, and
until today Kleincomburg has served as an external site of the
Schwäbisch Hall Penitentiary.
Schwäbisch Hall
Between the fifth and first century B.C. a Celtic saltworks was already
located on the site of the town, which was founded in the 12th century.
Schwäbisch Hall developed to a thriving free imperial town to which, in
addition to a sizeable territory, Großcomburg and Kleincomburg
belonged. Salt mining was the basis for the town's wealth, and around
1800 Schwäbisch Hall was the largest saltworks in Southwest Germany.
Its many landmarks include St. Michael's Church (Michaelskirche)
consecrated in 1156.