At the northern edge of the mystique Black Forest lies the picturesque town of Karlsbad (not to be confused with the much larger city in the Czech Republic).
Its five villages Auersbach, Ittersbach, Langensteinbach, Mutschelbach, and Spielberg are conveniently located very close to Karlsruhe. Each village is individually unique and considerably old since they’ve been around since the 12th and 13th centuries respectively.
A stop at the Local History Museum will be most beneficial to explain all about Karlsbad and the inviting entrance to the Schwarzwald.
Although Langensteinbach wasn’t officially recognized until 1197, there was a castle built here sometime around the year 1100. It was only inhabited for only a hundred years and abandoned sometime around the year 1200. Only a fraction of what is known as the Roman Tower remains today but stood some 35 meters high (approx. 100 feet).
Then there’s the medieval Parish Church Barbara, once a pilgrimage church, located not too far from the ruins of the Langensteinbach Castle.
Being within the Black Forest, you’ll find a different kind of culture in Karlsbad than in other places within Germany. The region is famous for wood carving so be sure to buy a souvenir cuckoo clock to take home. You’ll also eat great here, with Black Forest specialties like the world famous Black Forest ham and Black Forest cake (made with chocolate and sour cherries).
Then with all that great food you’ll be fueled up for hiking around the Schwarzwald (the largest nature park in all of Germany).
When you’re all done, relax those tired muscles at one of the spa baths, which, besides the forest, Karlsbad’s been famous for since Count Karl Wilhelm von Baden opened the first one here in 1719.
Many thanks to the Count!
