Rumor has it the town of Tiefenbronn is one of the best places to be to see the Northern Black Forest. Let’s think about that for a minute…
Ok, I’d have to say that’s a pretty accurate statement since Tiefenbronn sits right on the edge of it.
The Schwarzwald is but one facet to Tiefenbronn, albeit a good one; any one of the town’s hiking routes is surely to delight. There are four marked hiking trails, taking anywhere from just over an hour to almost four.
Route #1 starts at the pretty half-timbered Kulturhaus Rose, taking you around to see the famous St. Mary Magdalene Church. The church itself is over 600 years old, but its exterior isn’t its crowning glory. That honor is reserved for its magnificent altar, created by Lukas Moser, way back in 1431.
The town’s other trails will take you over to see the St. Alexander Church, another lovely gem from the 15th century; followed by a stop to what used to be a moated castle. And in the village of Lehningen are remnants of its old defense walls, as well as the St. Ottilia Church, built only a few years after St. Alexander’s in 1500.
Now that I think about it, that’s about the time Burg Steinegg was built. Today it’s a recreation center, a long cry from its days belonging to some Count or Duke.
Hopefully I have this part right, but Tiefenbronn was the hometown of noted Dr. Franz Josef Gall. His work with Phrenology (some study of the brain and head size thing) was really pushing the envelope of his day. He might not have had it all right back in the 18th century, but his unprecedented work deserves kudos — no wonder Tiefenbronn put a plaque on his old house.
From here it’s probably best to try hiking around the nature reserve areas. What a wonderful place to see rare plants, animals, and the ever popular orchids.
Didn’t I say this was a florishing gate to the Black Forest? Believe me now? ;-)
