SULZBURG: THE GATEWAY 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 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.

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.