Culture and Traditions

Small chapels, traditional Black Forest mills, churches and cloisters as well as many other historic buildings tell of the rich cultural heritage of the Black Forest Highlands.

A distinct culture of crafts and traditions developed in the Black Forest due to its remoteness in the past and long cold winters. For centuries this was a major center of clock making and the clocks were carried on frame backpacks and sold throughout Europe as far away as Turkey. The region is also closely associated with Alemannic traditions of partying long and hard at Fasnet(Mardi Gras). In every small village or hamlet there are carnival guilds, which often turn the “fifth season of the year” into a wild and crazy event.

St. Blasien Cathedral with its height of 63 m and a dome with a diameter of 36 m is one of the region’s many attractions of international renown and the largest building of its kind north of the Alps. The baroque church and the rococo library in St. Peter, as well as the abbey church and museum in St. Märgen are also well worth seeing. A walk to one of the many small chapels, which nestle quaintly in the countryside also provides a great cultural experience in a beautiful natural setting.

Further information: hochschwarzwald.de/Kultur-Essen

To Discover

St. Blaise’s Cathedral

With the largest dome north of the Alps.

dom-st-blasien.de

GlasManufaktur Hofgut Sternen

Experience first-hand how the glass artists make exceptional jewelry and unique glass objects in the open studio. Learn more about the tradition and even blow your own crystal ball.

hofgut-sternen.de

Woodcarver Stiegler

Drawing, modeling, and the working with wood are in the focus of the creative workshops. After an introduction to the basics of sculpturing, participants can let their creativity flow under the guidance of instructors. The aim is to compile an own work of art.

hochschwarzwald.de

Baroque parish church and rococo library of St. Peter

Most splendid examples of baroque architecture in southern Germany.

geistliches-zentrum.org

Monastery Museum of St. Märgen

Exhibition on the development and various types of Black Forest clocks.

kloster-museum.de

The Black Forest Skiing Museum in Hinterzarten

Exhibition on the history of skiing in a 300-year-old typical Black Forest house.

schwarzwaelder-skimuseum.de

Hüsli-local history museum

An insight into the way of life and culture of people from former centuries.

landkreis-waldshut.de

“Hoffnungsstollen” Mine in Todtmoos

A modernised and family-friendly mining muesum first mentioned in 1798.

schwarzwaelder-skimuseum.de