I like Wildberg in Baden-Württemberg. Not just because it’s so conveniently located within the massive Black Forest. OK, that helps but, it isn’t the only reason.
There’s something magical about castles. And just because it lies in ruins doesn’t mean the old burgs and schlosses lose any of that mystery and magic. Which is how I look at the ruins of Schloss Wildberg. I mean Castle Wildberg. No, Schloss Wildberg.
Sorry to confuse you but, the Schloss was once a castle when it was built back around the 1230’s. It was destroyed by lightening in 1618 and was rebuilt eighty years later. It stood until 1945 when it was leveled by Allied bombings during the 2nd World War.
Had the original (Castle) Schloss Wildberg still stood it would have been the oldest building in town. Now that honor belongs not to the town’s Rathaus (Town Hall, built 1480) but the town church, built in 1464.
Pieces of Wildberg’s medieval defense wall (called a Stadtmauer) and the Hexenturm (Witches Tower) still stand, too. The last of Wildberg’s life in the Middle Ages can be seen at the nearby ruins of Kloster Reuthin, which houses the town’s Urban History Museum.
However, none of these things are as old as the grave and artifacts found from the Almenni Period, which is around the 5th century A.D. Some of the artifacts found are thought to belong to a person of high standing; and can now be found at the Federal State Museum in Stuttgart.
Graves, castles, and witches aside, Wildberg’s Schäferlauf (Shepards Run) is the best time to come. On the third weekend in July (in even numbered years), come see which of the town’s young people will be crowned the winners.
Of course, if it’s an odd-numbered year forget about the run and try some local Schwarzwald goodies (like Black Forest Ham) or shop for unforgettable souvenirs.
I said I liked Wildberg because of the Black Forest, but that’s only the icing on the proverbial delicious Schwarzwald Cake. :-)
