Schwalbach (Saar) in the Saarlouis District of Saarland is a small, mousy town. While it is considered to be a young town, it prides itself on tradition and its local customs, from their local celebrations and markets to the annual Christmas Market.
You’ll get a feel for its culture when you head over to the Contemporary History Museum. There you’ll learn all about how Schwalbach was once occupied by the French in the 18th century. Then in 1815, Schwalbach became under Prussian control.
Sadly, the area has seen its fair share of war and is the final resting place of some 1,000 foreign soldiers from the Second World War (in Elm).
Since tradition and history is an important aspect of life in Schwalbach, it was once largely a mining town. Visit the Schmiede- und Schlossermuseum (Forging and Fitter) for exhibits on local mining and craftsmanship.
What might surprise you about this tiny town, which is good for outdoor lovers, is that a quarter of the town is a forest! Besides, it is home not only to its own outdoor pool (and an inside one as well), but during the summer months you can enjoy an outdoor theater in the Hülzweiler Forest. This open-air theater has been host to plays and concerts in the area for over 70 years!
Don’t forget to take the kids to the Doll Theater, where kids have enjoyed puppets telling stories of fairy tales and bringing to life characters of literature since 1978.
Schwalbach is not home to large monuments, an array of churches spanning the centuries, or even a throng of tourists from distant lands. But, that’s allright as it gives you the chance to enjoy this tiny piece of Germany all to yourself!
