The Ruin of Breisach on the Eckartsberg in the Black Forest

The Black Forest has a lot to offer: beauty of nature, wide fields, enchanting forests, traditional culinary specialties and a flood of genuine Black Forest culture. One will also find many enchanted palaces, romantic ruins and historic castles in the Black Forest.

Eckartsberg in Breisach on the Rhein, Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY 3.0 Lizenz, by Brücke-Osteuropa.

One of those is the Ruin of Breisach on the Eckartsberg. The ruin is located on a mountain which lies south of the Old Town of Breisach. From there one has a stunning view over the Breisach city, the Münsterberg and the market place of the town. There used to stand a small castle and a monastery on this mountain many centuries ago but with age these became the today’s ruin.

Legend claims once the castle, which was located opposite the Münsterberg, belonged to the “Abider Eckehart”. This legend contributes to the naming of the mountain. One assumes that the fortification, which used to be on the today’s viewing platform, has been ablated naturally.

Today the ruin can be visited freely at any time. Here, one will also find an obelisk which has been erected as a memorial in 1856. The obelisk shall recall to the mind that Breisach and Breisgau have been passed to the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1806. Further features of the ruin are the flag of Europe and the Light of Europe. These indicate that Breisach on the Rhine is a “European City”.

All in all, the Ruin of Breisach on the Eckhartsberg seems to be very romantic and inviting. The ruin is it worth visiting at any time. So, do not miss the chance to visit the beautiful regions of the Black Forest!

Bird of Prey Demonstration in Feldberg in the Black Forest

Two Black Kites (Milvus migrans), Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY 3.0 Lizenz, by 4028mdk09.

Birds of prey have been used for hunting smaller birds and animals since the Middle Ages. This kind of hunting has always been referred to as “Falconry”. In Germany they call it “Beizjagd”. This term derives from the word “beißen”, which means,  “to bite”, and which describes the hunting method of the bird of prey. In the past, falconry was done by Aristocrats, and even the gentlewomen joined the hunting with the beautiful and elegant birds of prey.

Even today one can marvel at these gorgeous birds flying and hunting. The bird of prey demonstration has become popular again, especially since the 1990′s. Above all, children are fascinated by the beauty of these birds and the harmonic collaboration between falconer and his feathered friend. There are numerous opportunities for one to participate in a bird of prey demonstration but it requires a lot of effort to become an educated falconer. A falconer must learn how to treat the bird correctly and has to dedicate himself to learning with all his heart and soul.

It will be possible to visit such a bird of prey show on 19^th November 2013 at 3 p.m.. On the Feldberg in the Black Forest, upside of the “Feldberger Hof” and near the Wichelpfad the falconer Franz Ruchlak will show what his gyrfalcons, buzzards and eagles can do. In addition, visitors will learn interesting information about the birds of prey and will even be able to carry a bird on their gloved hand.

The entrance fee is 5€ for adults and 3€ for children from the age of 6. If you are interested, visit this address:

Feldberger Hof
79868 Feldberg

It promises to be an interesting event which will bring visitors back into the past times of emperors and kings; and which will bring visitors closer to Black Forest nature.

Don’t forget, it is only a stone’s throw from Feldberg to the wonderful Black Forest city Bonndorf, only a 20 minute car drive.  You should not miss the chance to visit this beautiful Black Forest city and to taste some of the delicacies of the Black Forest sausage and ham specialties of Adler.

Whatever your plans for this day are, we wish you all a great time and a lot of pleasant memories!

Events in the Black Forest in the End of May 2013

Although this month is coming to its end there are many possibilities to experience something new and interesting in May. Here you can get some information about the most important and interesting events in the Black Forest in May 2013.

22.05. – 26.05.2013. Whitsun Festival Games in the Festival Hall of Baden-Baden.  Visitors can look forward to a wide range of classical music in its various forms.  No matter whether one is a fan of opera or of string music, one will have the possibility to listen to almost all classical forms of music.

22.05. – 27.10.2013. Big Country Exhibition 2013: bodenlos – durch die luft und unter wasser (= bottomless – in the air and under water). The topic of this exhibition is flying and floating in the air as well as under water. It will be presented in the State Museum of Natural History of Karlsruhe until 27th October 2013. Visitors can either just enjoy the art of the exhibition or even take actively part in the happenings of the event in the museum.

22.05. – 02.06.2013. HinterzARTen. This is the 3rd time that Hinterzarten is presented to the world in its artistic manner. The aim of the exhibition is to show that Hinterzarten also has an artistic disposition.

22.05. – 07.07.2013. Exposition in the Bonndorf Castle. It is a super event that can be visited even in bad weather. Bonndorf Castle invites everyone to visit its gorgeous artworks.

22.05. – 02.06.2013. MATTA. Fictions in the Frieder Burda Museum. The Frieder Burda Museum of Baden-Baden presents the expressionistic artist Matta and his works.

22.05. – 02.08.2013. Wipfelstürmer! (Tree Tops Stormer!) In Gernsbach – Kaltenbronn parents of adventurous and curious kids can enroll their children for a tree climbing class. The event can be attended by children who are between 8 and 12 years old. The cost is 4€ per head.  The tour will be led by the employees of the Infozentrum Kaltenbronn. The duration of the event is expected to be 3 hours.

22.05. – 16.06.2013. Special Tour in a Monastery: Bookbinding in the Children’s Workshop – for Children aged 10 and above. This event, which will take place in Alpirsbach, is a very interesting tour for both young and old.  Here you will get to know all about life in a monastery, about monks and kidmonks. The highlight of the tour will be a bookbinding.

22.05. – 30.06.2013. Art in the GDR. There will be a political and critical exhibition of works of artists from the GDR in the Museum Villa Haiss (Zell am Harmersbach).

22.05. – 27.10.2013. Nightwatchman’s Tour in Burkheim. One has the possibility to join in to the traditional and historical Tour of the nightwatchman of Burkheim every Wednesday and Sunday.  Participation is free and begins at 10 p.m. at the city gate.

24.05. – 27.05.2013. Kaiserstühler Kirschenfest.  Endingen city is celebrating its annual Cherry Festival with festive ceremonies, a parade, a cherry queen and cherry princesses. The festival begins at 10 a.m.

Black Forest Railroad

Reichenbachviadukt Hornberg/Library of Congress

The Black Forest Railroad, which is 150km long, is not only one of the meaningful rail lines of the Black Forest but also counts as one of the most beautiful rail road lines as such in the uplands among rain road fancier. Its construction was important both for the industrialization of the Black Forest and for the development of tourism of the region. The leading planner of the Back Forest Railroad, whose name was Robert Gerwig, has not only created a groundbreaking milestone in the history of railroad construction but also made the Black Forest Railroad a tourist attraction. Recently they have appreciated Robert Gerwig’s work at the opening of the “Black Forest Railroad Adventure Path Triberg” which has Robert Gerwig’s photography as distinctive mark.  You can read more all about planning, construction, history and the peaks of the lines of the Black Forest Railroad in our latest post under the heading “Black Forest Railroads”…. read more

Event highlights in the Black Forest in June, July and August

Here the most interesting events for you of the Black Forest region in June, July and August:

June:

7^th June: Traditional Corpus Christi procession in Mühlenbach.  Every year during the night before the procession a huge crowd of volunteers spread a carpet of flowers of approx. 1km length with gorgeous patterns. On the day of celebration the procession will move together with the saint of saints over this carpet. People dressed in traditional dresses and delegations of clubs with their flags will ramble about the city followed by the sounds of the choir, traditional band and gun salutes.

9^th/10^th June: International Chain Saw Feast Days Oberes Kinzigtal in Wolfach. 40 wood artists will compete against each other in carving of imaginative, head-high sculptures.

15^th – 17^th June: Maximilian Knights Festival in Horb on the Neckar River. The city Horb is the location of one of the biggest medieval spectacles of Europe. Here you will get to see landsknechts in their camps who will show you the impressing history of Wuerttemberg; you will see as well noble knights who will contest for the favors of the fair maidens. Furthermore, the activities of the merchants and craftsmen, medieval music, fire-breather, artists and magicians will enchant you with their performances in front of the historical backdrop of the Old City.

17^th June: Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon in Titisee-Neustadt. That will be the mountain bike highlight in Dreisamtal! There will be five routes with unforgettable views. Annually thousands of people flock up to here from far and wide for being part of the biggest Mountainbike Marathon of the Middle Europe. The number of participants will amount to 4.500 people. It will be a rich and a full-day program of the event (in Hinterzarten, Kirchzarten and Todtnau it will even start on Friday).

17^th June: “Fantastic Portals”. Castle Adventure Day all over Baden-Wuerttemberg. Mansions, castles and gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and of course of the Black Forest, invite to a special adventure day. This year’s name of the feast day of the mansions and monasteries, castles and historical gardens will be “Fantastic Portals”.

23^rd June: International Summer Ski Jumping in Bad Griesbach. It says “Ready, Steady, Jump” on the Crosshead Ski-Jump. Here will take place the first international Summer Ski Jumping in a Three-Party Competition for the Georg-Thoma-Cup. On Saturday will be the Follower Jumping on the lower ski-jump; on Sunday will be the Jumping on the big ski-jump.

24^th June: Eulogi Ride in Lenzkirch. The Eulogi Ride is celebrated in compliment to the patron saint of the goldsmiths, the blacksmiths and the horses every year on 25^th June or on the Friday before in Lenzkirch. The Eulogi Ride is a regular meeting place especially for those who love horses and who live in the Southern Black Forest. The whole area boasts decorations when the impressive cavalcade is marching towards the pilgrimage chapel accompanied by the ringing of the bells. It is a frequent beautiful, genuine peasant’s feast day which you would find in this form nowhere else than in the Southern Black Forest. That is why thousands of pilgrims and other guests are attracted to this place annually.

July:

30^th June – 8^th July: High Black Forest’s Jazz Summer: It will be an event with traditional and international artists and which will leave nothing to be desired. The jazz concerts will take place in the cities Hinterzarten, Feldberg, Sankt Märgen, Schluchsee and Titisee-Neustadt.

14^th /15^th July: Forest Festival “100 years of Hüsli” in Grafenhausen-Rothaus. The “Hüsli” is getting 100. That is reasons enough for the musical society Rothaus to celebrate this anniversary properly. Visitors can expect a musical and culinary celebration in the celebration tent in front of the local museum “Hüsli”.

14^th July: Night in white at the Titisee. There will be fireworks in the white decorated lake road. Visitors are asked to dress in white.

15^th July: Old Handwork in the High Black Forest in Feldberg. Traditional handicrafts of the Black Forest will be performed and presented in the hall of Feldberg. The craftsmen will show techniques, handworks and arts which almost got lost in the course of times.

21st of July: “Music and Water“ Festival at the Hochfirst Ski-Jump in Titisee – Neustadt. It will be a spectacle of fire, water and music. There will be a rock symphony at its best, which will last 3 hours. The music will be accompanied by a beautiful water laser pyro show. Let your mind be taken by the impressive ambience of the Hochfirst Ski – Jump into colorful dream worlds of the symphonic sounds of Wolfgang Roese’s adaptions merging with shimmering fountains and laser figures.

28^th/29^th of July: Castle Festival in Bonndorf. This weekend near the Bonndorf Castle there will be many attractions for young and old, a musical entertainment program, and treats by the associations.

August:

4^th/5^th of August: See the Night Festival at the Schluchsee with a Dragon Boat Cup. The motto of this event is “pure adrenalin”. Next to the breathtaking view of the sea there will be a wide range of events, music performances, gastronomic delicacies and sporty activities. The highlights of the festival will be the illuminated Sail Parade at Saturday and the Dragon Boat Race at Sunday.

10^th of August: Traditional Lawrence Festival in Feldberg. In honor of the Saint Lawrence, who was the Patron Saint of the shepherds and herds, the day will begin with a church service at 9:30 a.m. in the Lawrence Chapel near the Todtnaut Cottage. Afterwards, a Shepherd’s Parish Fair  take place which will include a cattle market, dance events and entertainment programs in the rustic cabins lying around the Feldberg.

12^th of August: Mill Festival in Seebach. The festival will start at 11 a.m. with a morning pint concert. The music will play all day long. In addition, there will be rites and performances of peasant handicrafts. There will be also an all-day event for the kids as well as a wide range of food and drinks.

12^th of August: 125^th years Anniversary Festival of the Höllentahlbahn in Schluchsee. Visitors can expect a weekend with a wide variety of historical and entertaining events around the Dreiseenbahn (Three Seas Railroad). Your day will begin very musically with a morning pint concert of the traditional band of Gündelwangen.

10^th – 13^th of August: Hans-Thoma-Day in Bernau. The Hans-Thoma-Day is a hometown festival which will involve 150 Bernau citizens dressed in traditional clothes, performing traditional arts and rites. Also there will be traditional music and visitors will have the chance to see various art expositions. The festival will take place in honor of the artist Hans Thoma who was born in Bernau in the Black Forest.

17^th – 19^th of August: FIS Summer Ski Jumping in Hinterzarten. The program of the FIS Grand Prix offers next to the international youth’s ski jumping also women’s individual competitions. On Saturday, the 18^th of August 2012 the visitors will witness a world premiere in the team’s competitions. It will be the first time that the teams will jump in mixed teams. The teams will be composed of two men and two women. The highlight of the whole event will be as each year the individual jumping of the men at Sunday.

17^th – 19^th of August: Wine Festival in Enzklösterle. Visitors can expect to enjoy music, excellent fireworks, wine and great entertainment.

26^th – 31^st August: “Zuerst war die Güte” (= At first there was the goodness) – 17^th Sculptor Symposium in St. Blasien. This week 15 artists from all over the world will have the chance to show what they can. The sculptors will make proper works to the topic “At first there was the goodness”. At the end of the week these works will be sold at auction. Do witness the artist’s workings and their interpretations of the issue. The event will be accompanied by all-day music and a Sunday shopping.

Events in the Cultural Center „Bonndorf Castle“ in 2012

Here you can read more about the history of the Cultural Center „Bonndorf Castle“.

Expositions:

Until 15^th of June:

Pavel Feinstein – Der Biss der Muse (The Bite of the Muse). The works of the artist, who is originally from Moscow but who has lived in Berlin since 1980, will provide unusual insights into seemingly familiar topics.

1^st of July to 11^th of November:

Wilhelm Loth and Käthe Kollwitz. Bonndorf Castle presents an exposition of the sculptor Wilhelm Loth (1920 – 1993) in association with the Käthe Kollwitz Museum from Cologne and the Gallery Schlichtenmaier (Dätzingen Castle). Loth lived and worked for many years in Karlsruhe. In the center of the exposition is the connection between Loth and Käthe Kollwitz, who in turn bore a closely relation to the administrative district of Waldshut.

Concerts:

7^th of July:

The Klenke Quartet will present compositions of Joseph Haydn, Benjamin Britten and Franz Schubert.

After its debut, the Klenke Quartet gives concerts at the most prestigious festivals. The four female musicians travel for concerts through all the European countries as well as through Northern and Southern America. In 2003, they accompanied the former Federal President Johannes Rau with concerts on his official visits in Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.

22^nd of September:

The soprano singer Stefanie True and the piano player Amy Blyth present works of Johann Ladislaus Dussek, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Robert Schumann.

6^th of October:

Trio Wanderer will present compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert and Peter Tschaikowski.

The trio has already won such awards as the “Victoires de la Musique” as the best chamber music formation of the year in France, the Gramophone Critic’s Choice Award, the Choq du Monde de la Musique and the Midem Classical Award.

10^th of November:

Singer Pur – A Thousand Years. It will be a presentation of secular music which has been played through the centuries, on the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of Singer Pur.

The soprano singer, the three tenor singers, the baritone singer and the bass singer have won prizes and awards several times. By now, they have been won the Classic ECHO prize three times. The singers, some of whom are former Domspatzen of Regensburg, can be named with good reason as the best known German vocal ensemble.

Readings:

8^th of July:

Readings of the Literature Scholarship Holders of Baden-Wuertttemberg: Bernadette Conrad, Manuela Fuelle and Lena Gorelik.

21^st of October:

Iso Camartin – Über Grenzen (Over the Borders). Lecture and Discussion.

Iso Camartin was born in Chur in 1944. He was a literary scholar and a cultural scientist, philosopher, writer and literary critic. Also, from 1985 to 1997 he was a professor of Rhaeto-Romanic literature and culture in the ETH and in the University of Zurich.  From 2000 to 2003, Iso Camartin headed the Cultural Directorate Swiss television. Since then he has been a liberal publicist and writer.

This event serves as an opening for a series of events with the topic “Borders” of the Randen Commission, which is an informal incorporation of Canton Schaffhausen, the administrative district of Konstanz, the Black Forest – Baar region and the administrative district Waldshut.

Agriculture in the Black Forest

The Black Forest has been characterized by agriculture for centuries. So, in the course of time, a multiplex cultural landscape has emerged. Now in the Black Forest you can find the typical Griends, which are upland pastures on the mountain ridge of the Northern Black Forest, as well as the near Mediterranean fruit-growing regions and the wine-growing areas of the foothill areas and the rich vegetable growing fields in the Rhine Valley.

Tradition, quality and accuracy are the most important values of the agriculture of the Black Forest. Here, many farms have been family owned for generations.  You will notice the quality of the agrarian products. It is not for nothing that the Black Forest is known for its various culinary delicacies.

Today agriculture is, however, not the only source of earnings for these family businesses.   To the delight of the vacationers there are many chances to witness the agricultural traditions of the Black Forest. So, one will have the chance to join a guided tour where one will get to know all about the Black Forest’s cottage gardens, or one can even spend their vacation directly in one of the so called Black Forest Houses, some of which are more than 400 years old. That will bring joy not only to children but also the grown-ups can leave all their cares behind. The best way to do so is with a piece of the Black Forest Ham or with a piece of the Black Forest Cake.