Can someone in the German government explain to me how a town made up of over twenty villages, hamlets, and farms have only five official “districts,” please?
You know what? Never mind… I don’t care because all the red tape to get an answer would keep me from seeing the town of Bräunlingen itself.
Bräunlingen lies within the southern Black Forest; and is host to the annual Black Forest Marathon every October — the 2nd weekend, if you’re interested.
And let me tell you, there are far worse places to be outside than right here. Along the Kirnbergsee, for instance, you’ll find all sorts of zig-zag hiking and cycling trails around the lake. That’s if you can manage to pull yourself away from the excellent fishing and swimming.
Close to the Kirnbergsee is the Ottilie Chapel, just one of a number of old churches and chapels in the area. One of the oldest is St. Remigius, whose tower is more than a thousand years old. From its Romanesque medieval beginnings, this church has had a Gothic and more modern facelift through the centuries.
The Stadtkirche, or City Church, is another church that many come to see in Bräunlingen. You might hear it’s called by its other name: the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
While you’re out and about in town look around for parts of its old Stadtmauer, or city wall. The pieces of this old defense system transport you back to its medieval beginnings.
And while most people think of the Middle Ages as grand castles and maidens fair; medieval history goes back much further. Which, by the way, you can learn more about at the Archaeology Museum Colombischlössle’s Merovingian exhibit.
Gosh, that’s a name as long as its history, ain’t it? ;-)
Another museum to visit is the Forest Museum — a great place to teach the kids about the area. And maybe one of ’em can learn how Bräunlingen’s 20+ became only five, so they can teach me.
