FREIBURG: DISCOVERING THE CITY

The Capital of the Black Forest

Located at the gateway to the Black Forest, close to Switzerland and France, Freiburg is a crossroads of international culture, art, and history. We retrace the birth of the free city from the 13th century through its monuments: admire the construction of the splendid Gothic cathedral, dominated by what is considered Germany’s most beautiful spire; discover the picturesque city towers and richly decorated palaces. Pay attention to Freiburg’s unique feature: the Bächle, small water canals running along at least 15 km of the old town’s streets. Fed directly by the Dreisam River, they accompany our stroll through the lively historic center.

The Münsterplatz

The Cathedral Square, Münsterplatz, is dominated by the magnificent Gothic church and its tower, called the most beautiful in all Western Christendom. Built between the 13th and 18th centuries, it houses some of the most significant works in art history. Around its perimeter, gargoyles portray a variety of figures and fantastic creatures. On the square stands the Historisches Kaufhaus – the Old Merchants’ Hall, built in 1378 with a lavish façade and two richly decorated corner turrets. Its façade displays statues of the great Habsburg rulers, who protected the city from the 14th to the 19th century.

The Political Center: the Rathaus

The Old Town Hall and New Town Hall in Rathausplatz are richly decorated with Habsburg coats of arms and fine Neo-Baroque details. Built in the 16th century, they showcase Freiburg’s architectural style, from bay windows to stepped gables. Overlooking the square is St. Martin’s Church in Neo-Gothic style, and nearby stands the famous Whale House, richly decorated with late Gothic details and known for having hosted Erasmus of Rotterdam.

Picturesque Streets and Quarters

Wandering through the city we discover charming medieval quarters such as Konviktstrasse, the most picturesque street in Freiburg with its unique, varied houses. We admire the Schwabentor, with a curious fresco tied to the legend of the Swabian merchant, and the Martinstor: the two medieval gates with Renaissance and Neo-Gothic additions that introduce us to Freiburg’s history. We explore Little Venice, a characteristic district divided by the Dreisam River: on one side the fishermen’s quarter (Fischerau), on the other the tanners’ quarter (Gerberau). In between we find the “Freiburg crocodile,” a quirky curiosity waiting to be discovered!

The Bächle and Mosaic Pavements

Freiburg’s most distinctive feature is its network of small water channels, the Bächle, built when the city was founded to ensure a permanent water supply in case of fire. Found along both small and large streets, they are accompanied by beautiful mosaic pavements depicting heraldic symbols and typical local products. Decorations can also be admired on historic buildings: from timber-framed houses to stepped gable façades such as the Kornhaus; the splendid Renaissance façade of the Basler Hof; and neoclassical buildings around St. Martin’s Gate.

The Green and Sustainable City

Freiburg is one of the best examples of a city shaped by ecology, renewable energy, sustainability, and climate protection. Many historic buildings have been adapted with energy-saving solutions. Research is strong at the University, founded in 1457, home to renowned scholars and students who distinguished themselves in literature, philosophy, art, and especially science. We admire the university buildings, including the new library, one of the largest and best-equipped in Europe.

SULZBURG: THE GATEWAY TO THE BLACK FOREST

The Romantic Entrance to the Black Forest

The road leading to Sulzburg ends where the path into the Black Forest begins, once the site of the Zähringer counts’ silver mines. The road also follows the Sulzbach stream, from which the town takes its name. On arrival, visitors encounter a picturesque medieval gate that symbolically marks the entrance to the Black Forest. On the inner side of the gate, the town’s emblem, dating back to 1283, is visible — the oldest coat of arms in Germany. Passing through this gate leads us onto the main street, lined with historic buildings and majestic façades with typical stepped gables. From here, panoramic paths open up breathtaking views across the Rhine Valley, the Black Forest mountains, and the Vosges range.

The Historic Center

The Market Square is the true heart of Sulzburg, dominated by the old castle and other notable buildings. The Margravial Residence Castle was built in 1515 and is today privately owned by a famous auction house, housing remarkable works of art. At the center of the square stands a picturesque fountain decorated in local stone. Near the square lies the small city park, home to centuries-old trees designated as national monuments, including a 350-year-old oak and the trunk of a tree over 700 years old.

Historic Buildings on the Forest Path

The panoramic walk before reaching the forest trails is marked by rolling vineyard hills and wonderful views of the entire settlement. Here we admire the Abbey of St. Cyriacus, founded in 993 by Birchtild, an important example of early Romanesque architecture. Medieval fresco remains and the 11th-century bell tower can still be admired today. The view extends to the Sulzburg Synagogue, the only surviving example from architect Friedrich Weinbrenner’s school, spared from destruction during World War II.

STAUFEN: THE TOWN OF FAUST

The Romanticism that Inspired Goethe

The fascinating town of Staufen lies in the heart of the southern Black Forest Nature Park. Overlooking the Rhine Valley, it is surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and forests. From the center you can see the ruins of the Hohenstaufen Castle, perched above the town with its medieval alleys, water channels, and beautifully decorated houses. In the main square stands the house of Doctor Faust — physician, magician, alchemist, goldsmith, and perhaps charlatan. He is certainly the most famous—half-legendary—figure of Staufen. He died here in 1540 when, according to the tale, his soul was taken by Count Mephistopheles. His story was immortalized by the verses of Goethe.

The Historic Center

Staufen’s main square is dominated by the late-Gothic Town Hall, built in 1546. Its richly decorated façade displays the coats of arms of the lords who ruled Staufen since 770. At the center stands the Marktplatz fountain, erected in the 16th century in late-Gothic style, topped with a sculpture of a man holding a shield and banner: the Austrian symbol of the right to hold markets, a privilege Staufen had enjoyed since the Middle Ages. Nearby is the Gasthaus zum Löwen, today a fine restaurant and hotel, but also the place where Doctor Faust is said to have died in 1540, commemorated by a fresco and inscription quoting Goethe’s “Faust”.

Between History and Landscape

The main street through the historic center reveals buildings of historical and artistic interest. The house “Zur Krone” depicts the heroic actions of revolutionary Gustav Struve in 1848. Through medieval alleys we find the Church of St. Martin, originally built in the 12th century and reconstructed in the 18th, preserving medieval remains. Inside are notable works by Sixt of Staufen, dated between 1515 and 1532. Finally, we climb the hill dominated by the ancient Hohenstaufen Castle: today a picturesque ruin, perched among vineyards. Acquired by the city in 1896, it was transformed into a landmark and popular tourist destination.

HEITERSHEIM: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS

From Roman Villa to the Castle of the Maltese Priory

Thanks to its location at the foot of the Black Forest, Heitersheim became the perfect site for a Roman squire’s residence in the 1st century BC. Recent excavations allow us to trace its history, beautifully presented in the archaeological site reconstruction and the museum of the Villa Urbana. From 1505 until 1806, Heitersheim was the seat of the Grand Priory of Germany of the Order of St. John (Order of Malta). The Renaissance-style Priory Castle, later enriched with Baroque additions, is today one of the most beautiful cultural monuments of the Southern Upper Rhine.

The Villa Urbana and the Castle of the Maltese Grand Priory

The Villa Urbana was rebuilt on the site of what was originally the residence of a wealthy Roman squire, dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD. The fascinating reconstruction in the Archaeological Museum shows how the villa was once adorned with mosaic floors and wall paintings. Next to the villa park stands the Castle of the Maltese Grand Priory: a striking building whose architecture reveals its important defensive role in the Renaissance. Later additions include Baroque gardens, a cloister, and an 18th-century church with Neo-Baroque decorations.

Among Vineyards, Wineries, and Tastings

Heitersheim is one of the largest wine-growing communities in the Markgräflerland region, with over 140 hectares of vineyards. The fertile soil around the town has supported viticulture since Roman times. Renowned labels such as Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Burgundy offer a wide range of tastings, often paired with local specialties. In the historic center, visitors can enjoy everything from game dishes to traditional cakes in restaurants already documented as early as 1606. From the center, one can stroll along the Wein-Panorama-Weg, where the view stretches across the vineyards, offering a stunning panorama of the region.

FROM THE RHINE GRABEN TO THE BLACK FOREST

From vineyards to forest

The Rhine Graben was formed during the Oligocene, around 33 to 1 million years ago. It is 30–45 km wide and about 300 km long, extending south–north across southern Germany. As the Graben formed, the Black Forest mountains rose to the east in Germany and the Vosges mountains to the west in France. The Rhine River flows through the middle, creating a fertile plain with gentle hills covered in vineyards. Beyond the Rhine Graben lies the heart of the Black Forest, with beautiful landscapes and fairytale villages such as Triberg and Titisee.

Triberg and the cuckoo clock

Located in the heart of the Black Forest, this town is famous for its cuckoo clock production and its stunning waterfalls. The waterfalls drop 163 meters over 7 cascades and flow right through the town, surrounded by charming buildings. The main attraction is the world’s largest cuckoo clock, alongside shops displaying thousands of clock variations, wood inlay work, and traditional handicrafts. Not to be missed is the local gastronomy: the famous Black Forest cake, cherry schnapps, and smoked ham cured with fir wood.

Titisee: “the love and delight of mankind”

It is said that in 75 AD the historian Suetonius crossed the Black Forest and was enchanted by Lake Titisee, writing: “amor ac deliciae generis humani”. The breathtaking view explains his admiration. Titisee is the largest natural glacial lake in the Black Forest, framed by the Feldberg mountain massif. At an altitude of 850 m, it is a nature reserve with excellent air quality. It lies along the Cuckoo Clock Road, where visitors can buy traditional clocks and taste local specialties around the lake.