The second half of the 18th century was a period of peace for Heilbronn, marked by economic growth and general prosperity. Progressive minds spread the ideas of the Enlightenment movement while innovative entrepreneurs saw new opportunities for the future opening up.
The bourgeoisie was interested in all things cultural and very well informed and always up-to-date as regards music, literature, architecture and the arts. Nonetheless, the lower classes lived in hardship and misery.