Mühlacker’s technological reputation precedes it, but coming up on the town it’s not necessarily the first thing that will hit you. Nestled next to the Enz in the Northern Black Forest region, a casual eye might only take in a traditional town.
There are half-timbered houses lining Knittlinden Road, while the Peter Lutheran Church is a done over medieval castle complete with a moat. The verdant hills holding it all in complete the look of pastoral beauty… but wait… what is that on the horizon?
It’s got a tall and lean look, pointing it’s way skyward for an impressive 273 meters. The tallest of them all, it is flanked by a number of midget brothers and sisters who are themselves usually more than 100 meters high. Collectively, the family has put Mühlacker on map, usually in a good way, but sometimes in a very dangerous manner as well.
These eye catchers are the famous Mühlacker transmitters (see webcams!). Broadcasting radio, satellite and television signals, they guarantee that if you don’t have mobile phone service anywhere in town you have a dead phone that ought to be replaced. Lots of channels available crisply at the hotels in town, too, as this is the very heart of the broadcasting universe for quite a distance around.
The heart started beating in 1934, when the first broadcasting tower was erected. Made of wood, it was the tallest structure in Germany at that time and served as the communications center for the German Army. You can see pictures of it in the Mühlacker Heritage Museum, which is located in a remodeled winery in the old part of the city.
Naturally, it was a major target during war time, and with every shot you take around town of the beautiful Medieval stonework you should send up a thank you that the Allies didn’t have perfect aim. They did take out the tower, but never accomplished their goal of leveling the town.
It’s a good thing. Had the town been fully leveled, it wouldn’t have risen back up to be a technologists tourist attraction. The old stone works would have been gone, as well as their stone cellars which hold the local wine. It is not dramatically famous but it is very tasty, with some of the vineyards dating back to Roman times.
Taking a bottle down to the banks of the Enz, you can enjoy the same sunshine and relaxation that has kept people coming to Mühlacker for the last 2,000 years as well as keep an eye on the proud towers that will ensure the town continues to thrive.
