Christmas Markets In Southwest Germany Showcase Tradition And Regional Diversity

During Advent, the towns and villages of the Black Forest transform into a sparkling winter wonderland. Over 180 Christmas markets offer unique settings, handcrafted goods, and culinary delights. The Christmas market in Freudenstadt (December 4–14, 2025), home to Germany's largest market square, is particularly atmospheric, featuring handcrafted products and a curling rink. In the historic half-timbered town of Haslach, the new "Culinary Winter Market" (December 19, 2025 – January 6, 2026) invites visitors daily to enjoy regional specialties and music, accompanied by a nativity scene exhibition.

Linger in the town of Rottweil where the scent of gingerbread fills the air of the Christmas Market © Ralf Graner Photodesign

Art lovers will find plenty to enjoy in Karlsruhe: At the "Christmas Fair for Applied Arts and Crafts" (December 11–14, 2025), 40 exhibitors present high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces from across Europe. In Rottweil, the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg, the Christmas market (December 4–14, 2025) enchants visitors with its medieval setting, children's workshop, and choral singing.

Against impressive architecture, the Christmas market takes place on Cathedral Square in St. Blasien (on three weekends in December 2025) – framed by the largest dome north of the Alps. Lörrach invites visitors to its Old Market Square from December 4–14, 2025, with arts and crafts, music, and delicious aromas. In Bad Säckingen, the market on Münsterplatz (December 4–7, 2025) offers regional products and a musical program amidst a historic backdrop.

A truly special experience awaits at the "Christmas Triad" in Pforzheim (November 21, 2025 – January 6, 2026): Christmas market, winter wonderland, and medieval market merge into a dazzling, glittering experience complete with an ice rink, Ferris wheel, and street performers.

Christmas Markets in the Black Forest

The half-timbered houses in the Black Forest town of Nagold are lit up especially this year for visitors. A giant ferris wheel also will be another first in the beautiful town. © Lightworkartpro, Manuel Kamuf

Action, Lights, Lanterns…Christmas in Nagold

When the first snow falls, familiar Christmas carols fill the air, and the holiday season draws near, a visit to the city of Nagold in the Black Forest in Southwest Germany is simply a must. Each evening, live music on the stage by the ice rink creates a festive atmosphere. From November 27 to January 6, 2026, take a leisurely stroll through the Winter Village on Longwy Square. Here you'll find culinary delights, enchanting decorations, and a varied program for all ages. A wonderful highlight to kick off the Advent season is Nagold's Night of Lights on November 28, 2025, from 5 to 10 PM. Right on time for the reflective season, the Nagold Christmas Market will enchant visitors from December 5 to 7, 2025. Among lovingly decorated stalls, festively adorned half-timbered facades, and a touch of winter magic, the city and dedicated local organizations invite you to enjoy a peaceful escape and a genuine holiday atmosphere. Highlights include: the giant ferris wheel on Vorstadtplatz, set up for the first time this year, and the historic town hall. From November 27 to December 26, 2025, the facades will glow with festive lights starting at 5 PM. Animated images, magical effects, and a new story each evening—the living Advent calendar creates a fairytale backdrop in the city of Nagold.

City of Nagold

Schloss Ludwigsburg just outside of Stuttgart that is still completely finished in the style in which it was built. A beautiful Baroque palace in the town of Ludwigsburg. c. SSG and Thomas Buehler

Castle Courtyards Aglow: Christmas with the SSG

The Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg (SSG), or State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, sets the stage for a truly magical winter and Christmas season across its many historic sites. As the gardens and grounds enter their quieter phase, the frost-kissed landscapes, bare trees and soft winter light lend the sites a serene, festive ambience. For example, Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart welcomes visitors for winter tours on weekends and holidays, offering both the architecture and surrounding views in a calm winter splendour. In the run-up to Christmas, many of the monuments managed by the SSG host atmospheric markets and seasonal events. The historic courtyards, cloisters and castle grounds are transformed into illuminated, festive spaces offering artisanal crafts, music and traditional treats. One highlight is the festive “Winterzauber” (winter magic) program at Residenzschloss Mergentheim, where from early November an open-air rink and themed events enliven the Schloss hof.


The Kurfürstlicher Christmas Market at Schloss Schwetzingen about 20 minutes from Heidelberg runs from November 27 to December 21, 2025, offering a festive atmosphere with handcrafted goods, delicious treats, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can explore beautifully illuminated tents, enjoy mulled wine, and discover unique gifts. Highlights include a nostalgic carousel, a Christmas market featuring local and international specialties, and cultural events such as Advent concerts and theater performances. The historic castle and gardens also offer special tours and winter experiences. The combination of seasonal architecture, historic gardens and festive programming makes the SSG-managed sites wonderful destinations for winter visits — whether for a quiet stroll, family outing or evening market experience.

State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg

Ships docked in Constance Harbour are often decorated at the Christmas season.© Achim Mende
Lake Constance - Four Countries, One Magical Christmas Lake

During Advent, Lake Constance (Bodensee) transforms into one of Europe’s most enchanting winter destinations, where Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein share their traditions along one shimmering lake. This cross-border charm makes the region unique: visitors can experience four different cultures of festive joy within just a few days. In Konstanz, the largest town on the lake, the Christmas Market stretches from the medieval old town all the way to the harbour. A true highlight is the “Weihnachtsschiff” (Christmas Ship), anchored by the waterfront and glittering with thousands of lights. Nearby, Überlingen enchants visitors with its atmospheric Christmas market, set among historic squares and festively decorated lanes. The lakeside promenade glows with lights, creating a romantic atmosphere perfect for a winter stroll. Meersburg, with its half-timbered houses and medieval castle, offers a truly magical Advent market on the castle square.

Between Christmas and New Year, the town also hosts special seasonal events and concerts, keeping the festive mood alive right into the New Year. Another highlight is the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island, where dazzling light installations transform the famous flower island into a sparkling winter wonderland for the whole family. Across the region, guests can enjoy unique christmas markets, festive cruises on the lake, and culinary treats – from German Lebkuchen and Austrian pastries to Swiss chocolate specialities. Families, couples, and Christmas enthusiasts alike will discover the joy of exploring diverse traditions so close together. Lake Constance is more than a holiday – it is a magical journey across four countries united by one festive lake.

The Maulbronn Monastery Offers A Special Cultural And Culinary History And Experience

The State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, the heritage agency of Southwest Germany, reveals extraordinary stories when it opens the doors to Southwest Germany’s most historic and beautiful cultural monuments. Visitors from North America and around the world can truly dive into Baden-Wuerttemberg’s spectacular and storied history and culture that is preserved through these 63 castles, palaces, monasteries and gardens. Each place has unique stories that are appealing and engaging on many levels to adults, children and tweens.

The three-bowl fountain house in the Maulbronn Monastery was made by the Master of Paradise for the Cistercian monks in the 11th century. NIne hundred years later, it still functions and is just as beautiful. By Guenther Bayerl. c. State Palaces & Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg

Under the motto "Visit. Marvel. Enjoy," you can discover the variety of palaces, gardens, castles, monasteries, all of which are important and historical gems. Some monuments captivate with their impressive history, while others introduce you to important figures. One of these places is the Maulbronn Monastery which was Southwest Germany’s first UNESCO site.

At Maulbronn Monastery, which is considered the best-preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps, for example, you can trace the history of the Cistercians at Maulbronn. Cistercians were a Roman Catholic monastic order founded in 1098 (11th century) in Cîteaux (Cistercium, Latin) near Dijon, France. All styles and stages of development, from Romanticism to Late Gothic, are represented at Maulbronn.

Architecture & Style through the Ages

The Cistercians began construction in the mid-12th century. The monastery church and cloister were originally built in the Romanesque style. At the beginning of the 13th century, the so-called Master of Paradise, an unknown master builder from France, introduced early Gothic forms from France with the construction of the church porch, the men's refectory (communal eating hall), and the southern cloister wing. The fountain house (where they got their water), the lay refectory, and the hospital corridor also date from this period. The monks also expanded the monastery complex with numerous outbuildings in the western courtyard.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery complex underwent a late Gothic modernization. The church received large tracery windows, a lattice work pattern of rib vaults, and new murals. Abbot Albert von Ötisheim had the foundation chapels added and the hospital expanded. During this period, the monastery experienced a new prosperity.

The Dukes of Württemberg, who ruled Maulbronn in the 16th century, established a monastery school during the Reformation, which still exists today as a Protestant theological seminary. Johannes Kepler (a mathematician who came up with the laws of planetary motion), Friedrich Hölderlin (an influential Romantic poet and philosopher), and Hermann Hesse (a Nobel laureate and writer of Damian, Steppenwolf, The Glass Bead Game, Siddhartha), among others, spent part of their school years at Maulbronn.

In the 19th century, attention turned to the art and architecture of earlier eras and became trendy. Maulbronn, too, was marked by a romantic transfiguration and was declared a national architectural monument.Since 1993, the monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monks in the Kitchen: Culinary Inventions

Today, you can not only travel back in time, but also immerse yourself in the daily life of the Cistercian monks and learn about the order's way of life and culinary habits.

The monks' daily routine was strictly planned: meditation and prayer, hard work, and self-sufficiency were part of the daily routine. Meals were also clearly defined. In the summer months, there were two meals. On fasting days, Wednesdays and Fridays, there was only one each. In winter and during Lent before Easter, there was also only one meal.

One of the great stories about Maulbronn Monastery is that it is considered to be the birthplace of Maultaschen, the famous Swabian ravioli. Legend has it that in the 17th century towards the end of Lent, the lay brother Jakob came into possession of a piece of meat on his way home. Although eating meat was forbidden during Lent, Jakob could not bring himself to throw away his precious find. After much deliberation, an idea came to him while preparing the Maundy Thursday (just before Easter) meal. He chopped the meat into small pieces and mixed it with the vegetables. To hide it from God, however, he wrapped the mixture in pasta dough. This way, he could conceal the meat from the eyes of God and his fellow brothers and he served the meal as a Lenten dish.

Maulbronn pasta pockets were later shortened to "Maultaschen" (Maul pockets) and later developed into a popular Swabian dish – now available in various variations and popular far beyond the region.

Tips and tours for discovering Maulbronn Monastery: Monks & Maultaschen - Cultural & Culinary Diversity for Young and Old

The special tour "Maulbronn – Monks – Maultaschen," which takes place several times a year, provides insights into the history of the monastery and the everyday lives of the monks. The invention of Maultaschen is presented, along with a tasting of regionally produced, vegetarian and non-vegetarian Maultaschen, served with a glass of wine. The tour rounds out the cultural and culinary experience. In addition, tours can be arranged for groups, either as standard or special tours, in English. Audio guides are available in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese.

There are various restaurants around the monastery where visitors can sample Maultaschen (ravioli). The Bruder Jacob beer garden, located right next to the monastery grounds, serves up delicious Maultaschen.

Highlight: Starting June 1, the new educational program for children and young people, "Psst...! Die Junge Klosterwelt World," opens. Young visitors can experience the medieval world of the Cistercians up close with the help of interactive stations.

Special Tip: Explore Maulbronn Monastery with the free App „Monument BW“: The 75-minute multimedia adventure tour contains 24 stations with additional deep dives. Visitors can listen to background information about the history of the building, view pictures and films and learn all about the monastery and the life of the Cistercian monks. We recommend downloading the App and the tour before your arrival on site. After your visit, you can discover more of the region’s monuments in the app and plan your next trip, since you can find all the important information, such as opening hours, prices, directions and contacts, directly in the App.

For visitor information and special tours at Maulbronn: https://www.kloster-maulbronn.de/en/visitor-information

Southwest Germany Update: New Einstein Museum, Fantastic Road, Heidelberg Castle, Nagold

A Fantastic Road in Southwest Germany for Americans

The home of the new museum: The Einsteins in the town of Ulm. Copyright: Ulm/Neu-Ulm Touristik GmbH – bildwerk89

The Fantastic Road connects some of the most beautiful cities and sights in Baden-Württemberg, also known as Southwest Germany. Starting in the north is the town of Weinheim on the Bergstrasse between Darmstadt and Heidelberg and only about 45 minutes from Frankfurt Airport, the road winds its way over 250 miles south to Lake Constance, on the border with Switzerland and Austria. All together, seven towns, each with their own character, make a trip along the "Fantastic Road" an experience worth driving, or even going by rail, especially for Americans who are seeking a highlight tour but also want history, excellent food, wine and beer, and local experiences.

Another reason this route is a great way to organize your trip is that each of the towns, including Weinheim, Baden-Baden, Gengenbach, Breisach am Rhein, Mainau Island, Hohenzollern Castle and Tübingen, is so completely different from one another but equally entertaining, historic and beautiful. Gengenbach is a traditional town in the Black Forest, Breisach am Rhein is a part of the great life along the River Rhine, Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern dynasty, Tübingen is a lively university town not far from Stuttgart, Baden-Baden also in the Black Forest is an elegant baroque town dedicated to the luxurious resort seekers, and last but not least, Mainau is an extraordinary botanical island where there are thousands of species of flowers, plants and elegant allees. The home of the new museum: The Einsteins in the town of Ulm. Copyright: Ulm/Neu-Ulm Touristik GmbH – bildwerk89

Ulm and the new museum: the Einsteins

The charming town of Nagold in the northern Black Forest. Copyright: Lightworkart

For centuries, the Ulm Minster has dominated the town of Ulm and the region and has become synonymous with Ulm both at home and abroad. This prominence is mainly attributable to its spire, which, at 486 feet, is the highest church spire in the world. In the mid1800s, Ulm also had a lively Jewish community and there was a magnificent synagogue at Ulm's Weinhof. Just a few years after this synagogue was built, Albert Einstein, world-famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner, was born in Ulm in 1879. In July 2024, the city of Ulm dedicated its own museum to the Einstein family. It is located in the immediate vicinity of where the synagogue was located. The new museum, “Die Einsteins,” is housed in the historic "Engländer" building, where Einstein's grandparents once lived. Using modern exhibition technology, it shows the moving individual fates of family members, who were also strongly influenced by the dark events of the Nazi era.

Nagold Nestled in the Black Forest

Nestled in the northern foothills of the Black Forest, Nagold is a hidden gem that combines the charm of a historic town with the beauty of its natural surroundings. This quaint town is famous for its stunning half-timbered architecture, which invites visitors to stroll through its winding streets and step back in time. Nagold’s picturesque old town, with its vibrant buildings and meticulously preserved structures, stands as a testament to centuries of history. Whether you're wandering through the narrow alleys or admiring the details of each building, the town offers a feast for the eyes that lovers of European architecture will truly appreciate.

Situated at the gateway to the Black Forest, Nagold offers an excellent starting point for exploring one of Germany’s most famous and storied landscapes. One of the town’s most iconic landmarks is the Hohennagold Castle, or rather, its ruins. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town, these castle ruins date back to the early Middle Ages and provide a captivating glimpse into Nagold's past. A hike to the top is rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and forests, making it a favorite spot for both history buffs and nature lovers. Every year, Nagold’s traditional Christmas market draws in crowds from near and far, who come to experience the festive spirit in this magical setting in the middle of the old town. Heidelberg Castle Basking in the afternoon sun. Copyright: TMBW

Heidelberg's Romantic Castle Graces the Town

Heidelberg Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany. And rightly so: it is the epitome of German romanticism. Anyone who has taken a tour (available in English on a regular basis) through the interior of Heidelberg Castle knows why the impressive ruins delight so many visitors. You are invited to experience the former residence of the Electors of the Palatinate - one of the most magnificent castles in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, world-famous at the beginning of the 19th century as a ruin and a place of longing for romantic poets. Highlights include the enormous wine barrel in the King’s Hall, the gardens, and across the river, the remaining vineyards of old Heidelberg maintained by two regional wineries. A free App, “Monument BW,” offers impressive images, videos and audio that bring the ruins to life. The world of rulers and nobility awaits and enchants with its unique atmosphere. An unforgettable experience for every visitor!

Stuttgart Sheds Remnants Of Pandemic, Fall Festivals Dominate SouthWest Germany’s Capital City

Starting this August, Stuttgart will shed the remnants of the pandemic as the city embraces its beloved festival season. This fall, no less than three enormous festivals will welcome visitors from near and far.

Stuttgart’s annual wine village with hundreds of wines made by local and regional growers will be located under bountiful arbors in the the city center on the Schiller- and Marktplatz from August 17 to September 4. Less than one month afterward, the 175th Stuttgart Beer Festival (September 23 to October 9) will get underway on the Cannstatter Wasen fairground along with the Agricultural Show. Then the Historical Festival (September 24 to October 3), that takes place every four years commemorating the founding of the Stuttgart Beer Festival, will be in full swing on the Palace Square in the city center.

Wine is an important characteristic of Stuttgart’s city life as it is made and sold in the vineyards all around the city. Light fruity reds, such as Trollinger, Lemberger and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and dry whites, including Riesling, Kerner, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Sauvignon Blanc are most prevalent. Stuttgart's vineyards stretch right into the heart of the city, making the city the only German metropolis with its own municipal wine estate. Wine has been grown here ever since Roman times, and owes its excellent quality to the first-class soil, the favourable climate and the accumulated expertise. Throughout the year, the wine hills of the Württemberg wine region offer endless opportunities for hiking, biking, tastings and organized tours on foot, in a vintage bus or on a Segway. https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/sights/vineyards-to-the-city-center

The annual wine festival at the end of August is a special time as the whole city comes together to celebrate their city and viniculture. Award winning wines from all over SouthWest Germany, including new wines produced by third and fourth generation wine growers, are presented alongside traditional favorites in beautiful bowers in the city center in the city center. Visitors can mingle with locals and enjoy tasting 500 different types of wines from the region. Cozy wine booths with around 30 hosts serve wines, accompanied by Swabian specialities, such as Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles), Maultaschen (filled pasta), Schupfnudeln (potato noodles) with Sauerkraut, and sweet treats. https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/e-46th-stuttgart-wine-village-2022#2022-08-17

The annual beer festival, or the Stuttgart Beer Festival, is second only to Oktoberfest in terms of size and popularity. Originally a harvest festival, the “Cannstatt Agricultural Festival” has long since developed into a popular public celebration. Seven beer tents, the historic wine tent and the Alpine Village will open their doors on September 23 to the public and the fairground rides will get underway. Approximately 320 showmen, hosts and stallholders, along with a double-looping roller coaster, autoscooters, modern attractions or old favorites will be at the Wasen. In the festival tents hearty dishes such as grilled knuckle of pork, fried steak along with the Maultaschen are served to go with the mugs of beer. Each year the festival opens with a grand procession with magnificently decorated brewery drays drawn by four or six horses, and with groups from all over the region dressed in traditional costumes. https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/e-stuttgart-beer-festival-2022#2022-09-23

Every four years, parallel to the Stuttgart Beer Festival, Southwest Germany's largest trade exhibition for the agriculture, forestry and food sectors with nearly 700 exhibitors is also held at the Wasen fairground. This year the focus will be on livestock, technology, nature and nutrition under the motto "Landwirtschaft erLEBEN!" (the Agriculture Experience).

The Historical Folk Festival, which takes place every four years, celebrates the founding of the beer festival. It founded over 200 years ago by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg and his wife, Queen Katharina to support the country's agriculture, which had suffered greatly in the aftermath of the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Tambora and the Napoleonic Wars. It is a very family friendly event right in the heart of Stuttgart on the Palace Square with old-fashioned bands and costumes, entertainment, including showmen such as jugglers, artiste, illusionists and a flea circus. There are also attractive traditional fairground rides, including a nostalgic big wheel and a rollercoaster from the 1930s. The Jubilee Column in the middle of Palace Square will be decorated in the style of the Fruit Column – the emblem of the Beer Festival – with agricultural produce. www.historisches-volksfest.de/en

Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg, known as SouthWest Germany. It is easily accessible from all major European cities by train and plane and hotels are plentiful. A new direct flight from Atlanta to Stuttgart also will be starting this October with Delta Airlines.

Fas’Nacht Traditions Held Dear But Not Celebrated this Year In SouthWest Germany

In SouthWest Germany, many towns particularly in the mostly southern Catholic regions from the Black Forest to Lake Constance, remember their annual celebrations of Fas’nacht: the time between Maundy Thursday and Shrove Tuesday when fools take to the streets and hilarity reigns.

Sometimes referred to as the end of the “Fifth Season,” from November 11 to Ash Wednesday, the five days before Lent from Maundy Thursday to Schrove Tuesday are a time of frivolity, hilarity, parades and foolery. In many parts of the mostly southern Catholic regions of SouthWest Germany, including Lake Constance and the Black Forest, the Fas’net traditions offer local color, costumes, parades, dialects and special recipes that go back hundreds of years. For planning purposes, here are some highlights that you can look forward to next year.

Just below the Hohenzollern Palace in the town Sigmaringen in the area of the Swabian Alb, Nauf auf d' Stang, nauf auf d' Stang cries on Shrove Tuesday mark the time of 10:00 a.m., when at the market fountain, the traditional marriage place for couples, all newly married men are carried around the fountain on a platform. In the town of Buchen, the highlight of the numerous events is the "Gänsmarsch," which takes place every carnival Sunday from 2:11 p.m. Masked foot groups come from all parts of the city and turn the parade into a fool's court, poking fun at current affairs and people from the region. Numerous "Huddelbätze," or jesters, dressed in colorful patchwork clothes made of hundreds of scraps of fabric, characterize the image of the "Carnival Night."

With 4,000 fools and 20,000 spectators in the town of Rottweil between Swabia and the Black Forest, the Rottweiler Narrensprung or Fool’s Jump, is one of the most famous events of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival year after year. On Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. and again on Shrove Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., the colorful dance of Rottweiler fools streams out of the Black Gate for a procession lasting several hours through the historic old town. Federahannes and Guller, Gschell and Schantle populate the town with their wooden masks and tease visitors along the roadside.

In the Black Forest town of Schiltach on Shrove Monday from 1:00 p.m., numerous imaginatively decorated wooden tubs roll in the ice-cold water "da Bach na." Forty teams are allowed to start every year. Anyone who makes it to the finish line with dry feet will be greeted with the call "Pforz trocke". If you fall "batsch wet" into the water, you certainly have the loud mockery of the spectators on your side.

Also in the Black Forest town of Elzach, the Schuttig is a jester figure with a red shaggy robe, an eerie wooden mask and a snail hat which is said to go back to the "wild men," who were considered winter demons in the Middle Ages. During the Great Schuttig Parade on Carnival Sunday and Tuesday (each at 3:00 p.m.) you can marvel at the numerous variations of the masks, which date back to the Baroque period. They have a particularly demonic effect during the torchlight parade on Sunday evening, when the entire old town is bathed in torchlight from 8:00 p.m.

Ho Narro!, Narri Narro!, Juhu! and Huhuhu! are cries from the fools who take to the streets in the towns around Lake Constance. Carnival marching bands, masquerade parties, balls and general revelry dominate the time before Ash Wednesday. Some towns and villages celebrate the Wecken, or Fool’s Rousing, when the fools prance through the streets in the early morning with fanfare and drums. Another tradition is Hemdglonker on Fat Thursday when everyone wears white night shirts and hats and parades through town. This stems from a time when students would reproach their teachers for their mistakes and weaknesses.

The children get their own fun on Monday in Constance during the Wurstschnappen, or sausage grab, after the children’s parade. And, in the spa town of Überlingen, a special parade, Hänselejuck, takes place on Saturday night when the Hänsele Fools are lit by Bengali flames and accompanied by Carnival musicians and hop and dance through the town snapping their whips and heckling the crowds on their way to the shores of Lake Constance.

Last but not least, if you are not able to visit SouthWest Germany during the carnival and Fas’net time, the towns are still very charming and there are at least four museums (websites in German) dedicated to the Fas’net traditions. Also, we are including links to Fas'nacht recipes and the making of the wooden masks and these pages are in English.

Fasnachtsmuseum Schloss Langenstein, Orsingen-Nenzingen fasnachtsmuseum.de

Fasnachtsmuseum Narrenschopf, Bad Dürrheim narrenschopf.de
Narrenmuseum Niggelturm, Gengenbach narrenmuseum-niggelturm.de
Fastnachtsmusem Narrenburg, Hettingen fastnachtsmuseum-narrenburg.de

Traditional Recipes: https://www.tourism-bw.com/things-to-do/wine-dine/traditional-doughnuts

Traditional Costumes and Masks: https://www.tourism-bw.com/things-to-do/culture/narri-narro

New Michelin Stars Awarded In SouthWest Germany

In the Germany edition of the Michelin Guide presented in March 2021, Baden-Württemberg maintains its top position with a total of 86 Michelin stars spread across 73 restaurants.

Nine restaurants receive Michelin Green Stars in the new “sustainability category”

The State Tourist Board of Baden-Württemberg, also known as SouthWest Germany, officially the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, is a beautiful part of Germany that offers the Swabian hills and valleys, sophisticated cities and charming villages, caves of ancient art, the Black Forest, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Lake Constance and, arguably, Germany’s most delicious food and wine.

SouthWest Germany’s new stars represent the hard work and talent of so many chefs across the state and are important generators for tourism and the economy. Importantly, nine restaurants in Baden-Württemberg received the green Michelin star, which was introduced for the first time in 2020, and recognizes restaurants’ focus on sustainability. Environmental standards, green living and sustainable agriculture and food production are a highlight in SouthWest Germany so these green Michelin stars are especially meaningful.

The culinary excellence in SouthWest Germany is, and has been, quietly extraordinary for many years. In many parts of SouthWest Germany, the growing and producing of environmentally friendly ingredients has spawned a whole culinary tourism practice of growing fresh and sustainable ingredients that chefs are keen to implement in their cooking and to dish up for their guests.

The epicenter of SouthWest Germany’s gourmet excellence is the tiny town of Baiersbronn in the Black Forest with a total of eight Michelin stars. Three world-class restaurant hotels share eight Michelin stars between them: Jörg Sackmann with one star at Schlossberg Restaurant; Claus-Peter Lumpp at the three-starred Bareiss Restaurant; and Torsten Michel at the three-starred Schwarzwaldstube Restaurant along with the Florian Stolte at the one star Köhlerstube who are back on their feet at the Traube Tonbach after the hotel suffered a devastating fire in January 2020.

Baiersbronn has an attention to detail and emphasis on good food that does not stop at the Michelin starred restaurants. Baiersbronn’s “Culinary Hiking Heaven” is a program that teaches visitors the important relationships between nature and nourishment. This program involves “wild plant hosts,” that are restaurants and inns using natural ingredients from the local forest to prepare their dishes; and “wild plant guides” who take visitors on hikes and introduce them to all the forest has to offer. The town seamlessly combines delicious, gourmet food and nature with hard work, locally sourced food, organic ingredients and local production. Their emphasis is on sustainability, conservation and maintaining green practices which is also echoed in many restaurants in the Black Forest and SouthWest Germany generally.

Two additional restaurants from SouthWest Germany made it into the two-star league: the Goldberg in Fellbach, just north of Stuttgart and the Ösch Noir in Donaueschingen in the Black Forest not too far from Freiburg, which received its second star only one year after receiving its first star last year. Two restaurants earned back their first Michelin stars: At Staufeneck Castle in Filstal in the Swabian Alb west of Stuttgart, the Fine Dining RS can look forward to the coveted star again. The Black Eagle in Vogtsburg am Kaiserstuhl near the border with France in the western part of the state also received the award back. Both had to give up their stars for the first time in many years a year earlier. In addition to the newly awarded stars, the new edition of the Michelin Guide also reports deleted stars. A total of eight previous star restaurants from the south had to give up their award this year.

Michelin Green Stars are awarded to restaurants that have a focus on sustainability and can qualify only if they have already received a Star, Bib Gourmand or Plate. The green star restaurants in Baden-Wuerttemberg number 12 all together: The hotel restaurant Bergfriedel in Bühlertal just south of Baden-Baden in the Black Forest; Erasmus in Karlsruhe; two restaurants in Hayingen, a charming area in the middle of the Swabian Alb south of Stuttgart, include the modern Restaurant 1950 and the environmentally friendly and regional restaurant Rose; restaurants Spielweg in Münstertal and derWaldfrieden in Todtnau and Sommerau in Bonndorf all in the Black Forest are worthy destinations; Treibgut in Ulm is where Einstein was born and where there is an excellent bread museum; restaurants Gasthaus Widmann's Löwen and Ursprung are both west of Stuttgart and not far from Ulm. Mohren in Deggenhausertal close to Lake Constance and Zur Sonne in Sankt Peter close to Freiburg are additional special places worthy of reservations.

Good food is a vital part of the vacation experience and SouthWest Germany delivers – particularly when it comes to local dishes made with local produce, accompanied by local beers and wines. SouthWest Germany is also criss-crossed with well-signposted, well-maintained hiking and biking trails through glorious countryside. But it’s not only nature lovers, who enjoy the Great Outdoors. Foodies also have a terrific choice of themed trails that bring out their inner gourmet. So whether you decide to hike or bike, drive or take the train, there is really good food waiting for you almost everywhere in SouthWest Germany. #dreamnowvisitlater

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