The Antiquariat Alt-Hoheneck is an unusual outdoor bookshop and free library in the suburb of Hoheneck, about three kilometres north of central Ludwigsburg. Set up in 2012 as a community project, it consists of weatherproof shelves under a covered structure holding around 7,000 second-hand books in German, English, and other languages — open 24 hours, no staff, no cashier, no need to register. Visitors take what they want and leave a small donation in the honesty box; donated books are accepted in return.
The setting is informal — a former petrol station forecourt re-purposed as a community space, with chairs and a small reading area. It is a short detour off the path of most visitors but a touching example of small-town civic trust. Combine with the walk along the Neckar river or a stop at the Hoheneck salt baths.