Cheers, I’m back in one of my most favorite places in the world — the Black Forest. To pinpoint it more exactly, Bonndorf im Schwarzwald, located just 18km from the border of Switzerland.
The area of Bonndorf has seen quite a number of famous residents, but no one specifically — just Stone Age Man, Celts, Romans, Teutons… It appears all sorts of folks have fallen in love with the region, huh?
What’s really funny is that these guys love the Black Forest, but Bonndorf loves a Japanese Garden. You’ll find it in the city park with its own Pagoda and Tea House. It’s a great place to meditate too, just in case you’re into that sort of thing.
Not me today, I’m going to see a castle. Ha, more specifically the Bonndorfer Schloss, built in 1592 and again 1723 (yup, that makes it a Baroque design). It is now used for a bunch of functions including the Kulturzentrum (Cultural Center) and a museum (the Kreismuseum) that’s all about Carnival “Fools” (and more on that in a minute).
Since you’re here (I mean, since I’m here), the Old Savings Bank is pretty close, so that’s the next stop. What’s so special about this bank (besides lots of money?), it does have the distinction of being the second oldest of its kind in the country.
Money isn’t the only thing that’s old around here. The Chapel in the City Garden could qualify as “old” too, used by early Protestants in the area. And the Catholic Church is old too, built in 1850.
The Boller Mühle (a mill) is definitely old, it’s been around since 1610. Today it’s a Mill Museum. Come when the Deutscher Mühlentag (German Mill Day) takes place and it becomes a party spot.
This ain’t no one horse town, either. Gear up for a whole lotta partying. I try to do these in order, but forgive me if I don’t.
So, what do we get? How about a huge Carnival celebration (remember those “fool” guys?), the Maypole party on May 1st, the Drachenflugtage (Kite Flying Days) at the end of May, a Castle Festival at the end of July, a Fall Festival in October, and a Wine Festival (also at the end of October) no less.
Following all this is an Advent Market in early December, and a whole bunch of Advent concerts and Christmas parties.
Wow, with all this going on you might not have time to explore the trails and paths around Bonndorf and the Southern Black Forest. Too bad, ’cause it’s one of my favorite places in the whole world — and I think it’ll be yours too. :-)
