Grosskarlbach has 1150 inhabitants and an area of 5,3 km². It was first documentally mentioned in 773 as "Carlobac"

The catholic church of St. James the Just (German: St. Jakob) bears interior that is older than the baroque nave built in 1711, the altar was made in 1531, the baptismal font is from 1543, the pulpit dates back to 1596, paintings are from the 16th and 17th century.

The protestant church has a choir steeple with gothic paintings from the 13th century, the nave is an extension from 1630.

The catholic and protestant church are close together, dominated by a choir steeple from the 13th century.

Grosskarlbach is a picturesque village due to numerous buildings from the 16th to the 19th century, mostly timbered houses.