Museums, Art & History
Culture of the Black Forest
Exciting museums and exhibitions offer an attractive programme for children and adults. Historic glassworks, mills, Black Forest farms, churches and monasteries as well as traditional craftsmanship tell the story of life in the Black Forest in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Experience authentic Black Forest culture, historic places and immerse yourself in the history of the Black Forest Highlands.
Black Forest cultural heritage
Home of the cuckoo clock
Following in the footsteps of the cuckoo clock makers and traders is easy in the Black Forest Highlands. Whether it's a hike on the U(h)rwaldpfad premium trail near Schonach, a stop at the Kuckucksstube in Titisee or a visit to the world's first largest cuckoo clock. If you are looking for the cuckoo in a clock, you are guaranteed to find it!
From the Middle Ages to today
Churches & Monasteries
The Black Forest is home to numerous churches, monasteries and chapels that offer an insight into the historical development of the region. Settlement in the Black Forest began in the Middle Ages with the founding of various monasteries, some of which still exist today. These include, for example, the former Benedictine monastery in St. Blasien with the Cathedral of St. Blasius, which now houses a boarding school, and the former Benedictine monastery in St. Peter with its princely hall and rococo library.
A colourful mix of history, customs and lifestyle
Museums
Immerse yourself in the culture of the region, discover typical customs and craftsmanship or learn more about the nature and history of the area. The numerous exhibitions offer a colourful mix of history, customs and lifestyle. For example, you can gain an insight into the lives of people from over a hundred years ago. Some of the finds date back much further.
Discover the unique architecture of the Black Forest farms or take part in a guided tour of the Rothaus state brewery, where the famous Black Forest beer Tannenzäpfle is brewed. There are also special exhibitions for younger guests, which are tailored to their needs and offer modern worlds of experience.
Typical Black Forest
Art & Music
Interesting for kids
For gourmets
Heritage museums
Great attention to detail
Arts and crafts
Exclusive art made of glass, stone, bronze, wood, steel or snow. Come and see how these works of art are created in the Black Forest.
Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated.
Historical art
The art of glassblowing
The history of glassblowing began in the Höllental valley in the 18th century. The art has been lived and developed ever since. Look forward to a beautiful exhibition and sale and take advantage of the opportunity to blow your own glass ball.
The Black Forest way of fashion
Traditional costumes
Traditional costumes from the Black Forest are like dialects for the eye. They create a sense of community and vary from place to place. Yet they are of more recent origin than one might think: according to cultural scientist Lioba Keller, at the end of the 18th century, lords began to distribute costumes to the common people. In the midst of the upheavals caused by the enlightenment and industrialisation, the rather old-fashioned uniform look was intended to preserve the traditional order. The traditional costume was therefore - and still is today - the fashionable expression of tradition.
Nowadays, many young people in the Black Forest proudly wear their local costume again: on public holidays, at festivals or other special occasions.
Traditional, but in a modern way
Photographs by artists such as Jochen Scherzinger and Sebastian Wehrle have helped to "dust off" traditional costumes. A few years ago, they began to present traditional costumes from various places in a high-quality, cheeky and sometimes provocative way. The enormous variety of elements of traditional Black Forest costumes was also depicted.
Impressive headdress: The Schäppel (left) weighs up to four kilos and was worn by girls in St. Georgen for communion or by unmarried women on church holidays. On the right in the picture: a woman wearing a straw hat from Schonach. © Artwood GmbH
