Gengenbach and Offenburg, Idyllic Cities in The Black Forest

Ortenau is one of the famous valleys in the Black Forest and an ideal location for those who want to get to know the Black Forest at its splendor.

In the heart of Ortenau between Rhine and the Black Forest, the small and charming Gengenbach is idyllically situated and wonderfully surrounded by forests and vineyards.

The town has preserved its medieval style, represented by the old houses, gates and the city wall.

 

The center of the town is the market square with the neoclassical town hall. The façade has exactly 24 windows and in the Advent season is turned into a huge Advent Calendar.

 

From the market square we have wonderful views over the old town.

 

As we stroll through the old town we admire the numerous half-timbered houses can feel the spirit of the past.

 

Close to the market square is the Obertor- The upper gate. The picturesque gate originates from the 13^th century and is one of the landmarks of the city.

 

Not far away from Gengenbach is the cheerful and pleasant town Offenburg. Situated between Karlsruhe and Freiburg, Offenburg is a picturesque town with a lovely architecture and vivid atmosphere.

 

The baroque building of the town hall.

 

Zwingerpark, located below the city wall, offers a nice walk and fantastic views.

 

The park is an oasis of peace in the old town.

 

The scenic beauty and the charm of the small towns in Ortenau make The Black Forest a well-known spa and holiday destination. The unique and fascinating mixture of life, recreation, culture and history, make the region a delightful experience for unforgettable vacation and just the right destination for every taste.

Idyllic day in Rastatt

The small idyllic city of Rastatt is located in the province of Baden-Württemberg and is very famous tourist destination thanks to its variety of historical buildings and the romantic baroque-residence. 

The city is very easy to be reached by trains from Baden-Baden or the airport. 

During our trip in southern Germany and Black Forest we visited the residence of the margraves of Baden-Baden which is nowadays considered as one of the most elegant and impressive palace in whole Germany.

 

The brilliant palace is located very close to the city center but far away from the main station.

The vast green areas offer quietness and magnificent views.
 

Freiburg im Breisgau

The Black Forest and its valleys is a region of fascinating landscapes, ideal for plenty of leisure activities.

The biggest city in this area is Freiburg, nestled in the wine-growing regions of Kaiserstuhl, Breisgau and Markgräfenland and located in the Dreisam valley.

This livable place offers a broad range of features for every taste: Baden wine, regional specialties, rich history, museums, galleries...

Freiburg is well known as the environmental capital of Germany due to the green areas, pedestrian and bicycle zones. 

The University of Freiburg is one of the most prestigious institutions in Germany and a huge number of young people additionally brings a vibrant atmosphere.

The Minster Square is the heart of Freiburg.

The most impressive building is The Historical Store, with its arcades, red façade and oriental decorations was the seat of the city’s financial and market administration.

Close to the Theological Seminary is the cobble Koviktstrasse, a lovely combination of old and new buildings.

Martinstor gate, built in 1210, was part of the medieval city fortification and nowadays is a preferred meeting point.

Canals pass through the city center. They offer a Mediterranean flair and a chance for a coffee break in a good company.

The Haus zum Walfisch has been a home for Erasmus of Rotterdam, who stayed here during the Protestant uprisings in Basel.

Colombi palace is the stylish building of the Archaeological Museum.

The city park is a peaceful refuge from daily life. It offers a relaxing combination of water, flowers and green areas.

Flückigersee is an ideal place for picnic and excursion with the family.

Freiburg truly has a fascinating atmosphere. Thanks to its proximity to Alsace and the Vosges in France, to Switzerland and the mountains of the Black Forest, Freiburg offers plenty of attractive destinations or leisure activities for international and domestic travelers.

Kaiserstuhl and Breisach am Rhein

Kaiserstuhl and the region receive millions of visitors every year, who have chosen quality and environmental preservation. Every one can find here his own magical place. There are many hiking routes where tourist can get in contact with green lizards, insects and exotic orchids all over meadows.

The climate is ideal for viticulture. This is the sunniest and warmest vine area in Germany. Vineyards cover most of Kaiserstuhl and the wines produced here have an excellent international reputation.

Hardly any other region in Germany offers so much variety. Just a few kilometers from here is The Black Forest or the picturesque villages in Alsace.


Located on the German-French border between Freiburg and Colmar, Breisach is easily accessible by train. The city is a synonymous of peaceful and poetic land. 

The Breisacher St. Stephan Cathedral, located on the Münsterberg, rises above the old town. The cathedral was completed at the end of 15th century and with its artfully designed Late Gothic elements is a special attraction in the southwest of Kaiserstuhl.

Breisach has many medieval towers, each one with its own history and its own character. Climbing uphill to the cathedral we pass below the Hagenbachturm. Bought in 1319, this tower formerly was a prison.

In front of the cathedral is the pink building of the Town Hall which was formerly a school. Since 1806 serves as the Town Hall and the building has been extended several times.

The old part of the city around the cathedral is a network of narrow streets, old houses with colorful facades and remains of the medieval city wall. This neighborhood strongly resembles Breisach`s medieval past.

Below the cathedral flows Rhein which forms the German-French border. On Breisacher harbor tourist ships and transport ships constantly cross the river.

Although Breisach is rather a small town, there is still a great amount of leisure activities to enjoy and historical places to visit.

Müllheim (Baden)

There is a wide choice of day trips in Southern Black Forest. Uncovering the secrets of the small towns in the region is fascinating.

Located between Switzerland in the south and France in the west, Markgräflerland is called Tuscany of Germany. Due to a combination of mild climate and the influence of Rhine river, the region is the best place for wine production. 

Impressions magnified as we visit the friendly city of Müllheim. Müllheim offers a special Mediterranean flair which we can feel at every corner.

Local colorful buildings and flowers complete the atmosphere.

There are many cozy restaurants suitable for every taste.

The wide range of guest houses, hotels, apartments and private rooms make Müllheim the best place for a great vacation in Markgräflerland.

Müllheim is the last destination of a remarkable trip. We are delighted to have chosen Black Forest for our summer vacation. Here we enjoy nature at its best.

St. Peter im Schwarzwald

Vacation in The Black Forest is really a unique experience. Hardly any other region in Germany offers such a variety of ways to enjoy nature, sports and culture.

The Black Forest offers wide range of attractions for all tastes: lakes, waterfalls, museums, churches and chapels as the monastery of St. Märgen, the Cathedral of St. Blaise, or the baroque church of St. Peter.

 

The idyllic monastery village of St. Peter is a nationally recognized health resort, located in the middle of the southern Black Forest. With its 1 000 year history, St. Peter is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region.

In St. Peter we find almost everything that makes our vacation unforgettable: Beautiful hiking trails, stunning panoramic views and delicious cuisine.

The village is a favorite destination for international and domestic tourists. Its cozy atmosphere offers a variety of colorful buildings and fabulous landscapes.

The history of the parish of St. Peter is closely linked to its former monastery. Here over 700 years ago, monks developed the place as a cultural and political center.

The former monastery with Baroque church, Rococo library and Fürstensaal, is considered as one of the most beautiful historical cathedrals in southern Germany.

The foundation of the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter dates back to the year 1093. The founder was Bertold II of the House of Zähringen.

 

Today here are the tombs of the royal Zähringen family members.

The splendor of the parish church and the impressive high altar, decorated with gilded statues of the Dukes of Zähringen on the pilasters. 

Definitely, St Peter and its monastery represent the most glorious side of The Black Forest, which impressively reflects the interplay between monastic culture and the green landscapes.

Staufen im Breisgau and Muenstertal

After enjoying The Black Forest magnificent scenery –lakes and waterfalls, we next go to the small towns. This is a great way to get to know the history and local culture.

Our first stop is Staufen, an exciting place to visit. 

Here climate and geology of the region offer perfect conditions for production of high quality wines. 

Moreover, the hills around the town have many vineyards. 

Without a doubt the location has been an attractive place in the Middle Age when the Dukes of Staufen built here a castle.

Going uphill to the castle ruins we follow the steep and curvy road which let us discover the area inch by inch.

Experiencing the unforgettable sensation, we reach the castle and enjoy the magnificent landscape. Here we are able to see the region from a unique perspective and 375 m high. Words cannot express the overwhelming views. In front of us is the vast valley and behind the medieval castle. 

The spectacular ruins are fascinating. Conditions here are ideal to get a closer contact with the history. We enjoy the sun, the wind, the mountain.

Going back to the city we are impressed by its colorful old houses.

The best know attraction is the House of Dr. Faust at Marktplatz. Here, according to the legend, Johann Georg Faust, a German alchemist and astrologer sold his soul to the devil. His life fascinated Goethe and inspired him to write the popular book Dr. Faust.


Taking the most of the region we leave Staufen by train. Our next stop is Muensteral. The area between the both towns is quiet, green and harmonically. Here is one of the best camping places in the region. Impressive is the huge number of tourist, chosen Black Forest as a spot for summer vacation.

Situated right below Belchen, Muenstertal offers the best starting point for climbing to the second highest hill of The Black Forest.

This mountain area is a paradise for hiking and the majestic hills offer unrevealed sensation. There is a good selection of routes revealing hidden corners of the wild nature.

To discover the essence of life at the mountain we walk around the small town and enjoy nature at its best. Indescribable!