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If a freshly minted bedtime fable has to depict a dark forest with a canopy of spruce trees, half-timber houses, ruined castles, meadows, carved valleys, and wispy waterfalls with the cultural essence in its surrounding quaint towns, the Black Forest in Germany carves this figment of fiction into reality. A spectacular range of mountains in Baden-Wurttemberg (southwest Germany) with an area of 6009 square kilometers, the Black Forest in Germany is bounded by the Rhine valley and derives its name from the canopy of spruce trees. Termed Schwarzwald by the Germans, one can explore the sensational views of this forest by foot, bicycle, or via wheels; it leaves either way spellbound. Here are the few things one can do in and around the Black Forest
Black forest's Glacial Lake
One of the most popular destinations in Europe, especially with children is the glacial lake of Titisee. Located around 2 hours away from Strasbourg and 90 minutes away from Basel, its magical color formed by the Feldberg glacier in the Pleistocene era makes it special.
In winter the frozen lake becomes a ground for ice skating for kids while in summer it's packed. The area around this lake is Ground Zero Cuckoo Clock making. There are workshops for wood carvers and also child-friendly wonderlands such as Action Forest Kletterwald. It also has activities such as skiing, boating, swimming, tobogganing, and a relaxing retreat.
Black Forest's Idyllic Town
An idyllic town in Germany's Black Forest, Bad Wildbad offers an array of trails, walkways, and stunning views. Located an hour from Stuttgart, this place has an elevated walkway to wander through the spruce trees and spirals. So the Tree Top Path, Pedestrian Suspension Bridge, FairyTale Path, and Mountain Bike Park are the known leisure activities over here. Also, it has cross-country trails on Sommerberg, snowshoe trails as well as two ski lifts. It is also popular for its spa facilities and healing place for more than 650 years.
The Historic Spa Town Of Black Forest
This 19th-century town, Baden-Baden has been popular since Roman times, having the essence of Belle Epoque era architecture and old-world luxury. Having almost 12 famous thermal springs, this place is recognized for its spas, hotels, and health-related businesses for tourists. The cultural touch can still be traced to the Brahms House owned by the classical musician Johannes Brahms, the famous medieval castle Hohenbaden surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Rhine valley, a casino with a legacy, and a shopping district in Badeviertel and its glamorous festivals.
An Ancient Castle Of Prussian Royalty
Hohenzollern Castle, owned by the Prussian line and the Swabian Royal House of the Hohenzollern, is around 155 years old. Seated on the top of the hill surrounded by the Black Forest, this castle is home to jeweled items, an art collection, an open-air cinema, and its own brewery
Things To Know
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 5.30 pm throughout the year
- Nearest Station: Hechingen Station.
- How To Reach: Take a bus or taxi from the station, but driving is still more accessible.
- About Staying: One can stay in the motor home for 4 Euros per night but not inside the castle as It's still privately owned.
Masterpiece Of Gothic architecture
Freiburg Im Breisgau Munster has been one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The stained glasses in the aisles and the altarpieces are the highlights of this castle. The town has many other highlights including the surrounding Munsterplatz with its ancient buildings, the old Martinstor i.e the St Martin’s Gate, The 13th-century Schwabentor, having wall paintings and dioramas, the St.Martin's Church with its incredible interiors and cloisters, House of Whale and also the ride of Schlossbergbahn for an overview of the Munster.
Home Of Craftsmen And Tanners
Schiltach is also deemed to be one of the prettiest towns in the BlackForest which is surrounded by woodlands and located at the junction of three rivers. Due to the riverside location, it's a perfect Blackforest center for timber rafting. The town has a triangular Marktplatz which is enveloped mostly by half-timbered houses and also the famous museums of town, Museum am Markt and the Apothecary Museum alongside Schüttesäge Museum are worth exploring.
Black Forest’s Open Air Museum
An Open-Air Museum located between Hausach and Gutach reflects a fascinating insight into the rural life and culture of the Black Forest. Visitors will get a glimpse of people who lived and worked in Black Forest farmhouses 400 years ago. There is a laborer’s cottage, 15 outbuildings, sawmills, storehouses, a distillery, chapel, fields, kitchen garden, herbs garden as well as a museum that presents the architecture, traditions, customs, and trade through all these years. The visitors can see daily craftsmen demonstrations as well as traditional crafts. This museum also illustrates skills such as weaving, wood fire cooking, making cheese, and thatching a roof as well as the onsite cafe serves traditional black forest specialties such as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. The staff is dressed in traditional attire with the eccentric cherry-inspired headgear.
Things To Know
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm.
- Tickets: For Adults, it is 10 Euros & for Children, it is 5.5 Euros
- How To Reach: By Car, one needs to put 77793 Gutach and via train, it has access to the museum by a regional branch line station outside the museum.