  
 The Black Forest Region 
In an area 210 kilometres long and 65 kilometres wide, the Black Forest stretches along the banks of the River Rhine directly bordering the European capital, Strasbourg (France), and the Alsace. This highland region, with mountain peaks of up to 1,498 metres, offers a wealth of natural beauty with forests, streams and lakes. The Black Forest is a landscape that offers almost everything. A myriad of leisure and recreational activities, cure resorts, ancient traditions and customs, romantic old houses and vineyard villages, just as comfortable and inexpensive holiday accomodation.  Everywhere in the Black Forest you will find evidence of a rich and varied history – castles, palaces, churches and monasteries, all bearing testimony to the past. 
At festivals and events, as well as in the numerous museums, you will find both regional history and local culture, of which the "Bollenhut" and the cuckoo clock have become world-famous symbols of this region. TOP  
The “Bollenhut” (Bollen = ball, Hut = hat) is an important part of the Black Forest folklore costum since the end of the 17th century. At first the hat was only popular in three little villages Gutach, Kirnbach and Reichenbach. The hat is made of artfully woven straw on which the 11 wool balls are stitchted - red for unmarried young girls, black for married women. The hat can weigh 2.2 lbs. Under the hat is a black silk cap with a small black veil, tied with a knot under the chin. All hairs are hidden under the cap – only the long girl’s braid is visible. The braid is often decorated with one or two small mirrors and colourful glass beads or lace. Older women and children wear only the cap. 
But we should not forget the cuisine of the Black Forest. Local agricultural products have given the cooking its distinctive character. Game, trout and pine honey suitably round off the culinary range. The mineral waters and the beers are as pure as natural waters. Delicious juices and fine spirits come from the many fruit varieties like the "Bühler Zwetschke" (plum), mirabelles and pears. The most famous surely is the "Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser", also an ingredient of the "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte". 
For a "Vesper", - an in-between meal - something more substantial is likely to be served: “Schwarzwälder Schinken" (ham), smoked according to the old recipes, and home-made bread are obligatory, as well as a "Viertele" (quarter of a litre) of wine from the Baden district. TOP 
About 1680 a swabian merchant bought a wood clock from a bohemian merchant and brought it with him to the Black Forest Region. The farmers of this region didn’t use any clocks by that time – they followed the phases of the sun and the moon for their daily chores. However, they learned fast the advantages to own a clock and developed a cottage industry making hand carved clocks. The people from the Black Forest used wood in many ways. So it was only natural to use wood to produce the clocks. Because of the mountains with the deep forests agriculture was difficult to do, the winter was long and cold. The farm would be inherited by the oldest son – his siblings had to find something else to make a living. Making wooden carved clocks meant for many of them to be able to stay in the region and earn money. 
The first “Schwarzwaelder Kuckucksuhr” was made about 1735 bei Franz Josef Ketterer, who lived in a small wood house near the village Schoenwald. He used wood pipes to imitate the “Kuckucksruf” (cuckoo’s call). Every hour the “Kuckuck” calls and let you know that another hour is over. Some people believe that the call is meant to be a little bit ironic about the swabian mentality “Nur net hudele” (Don’t hurry). The first clocks were made with pine wood and a hand painted front. But soon the clocks were hand carved – often very ornamental. The hand carved wooden clock became a symbol of the Black Forest. Today you'll find the "Kuckucksuhr" all over the world. They bring some "German Gemuetlichkeit" (cosiness) into many homes. TOP
A traditional "Schwarzwaelder Bauernhaus". The first floor is split into two different areas: the kitchen and the "Stueble" (living room). and in the bigger part of the floor is the stable. 
Embroidery for a new "Schwarzwaelder Tracht" (folk dress)The "Stueble" in a Black Forest farmhouse. 
Waterfalls in GeroldsauCastle Neuenbuerg 
One of the famous mills in a Black Forest valley The "Hirtenbrunnen" in Loffenau TOP 
Now our little journey through the Black Forest comes to an end. We would be happy if you liked to learn a few things about this great holiday region. And who knows - may be one day you'll visit the Black Forest. Homepage Cross Stitch Page 1 Cross Stitch Page 2 Cross Stitch Page 3 Black Forest Recipes |
