Furtwangen im Schwarzwald is in the middle of the Black Forest, in Baden-Württemberg. It is famous for clock-making, and is home to a clock museum.
Understand
editIn the vicinity of Furtwangen, the handcrafted production of Black Forest Watches was in the 18th century a desperately needed sideline for mountain farmers in the 18th century. A first watchmaking school was founded in 1850 to improve the situation. A few years later, the German clock museum was created here, and the school soon developed towards precision engineering and electromechanics. Furtwangen was raised to the city in 1873 and world-famous companies of the watch industry were created in the city. Even today, there are well-known companies in the metal and electronics industry far beyond the city boundaries.
Furtwangen includes the villages of Linach, Neukirch, Rohrbach and Schönenbach, and a few dozen farmyards and hamlets.
Get in
editBy airplane
editThe nearest airport 1 EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is about 120 km away. The second nearest airports are 2 Stuttgart Airport and 3 Friedrichshafen Airport, both about 130 km away.
By train
editFurtwangen is off the track. There are well-accessible railway stations in Triberg, Villingen-Schwenningen, Donaueschingen and Freiburg. From Villingen, Donaueschingen and Triberg you can easily get by bus to Furtwangen.
By bus
editFurtwangen is connected by bus station 1 Rössleplatz to the regional bus network.
By car
editFurtwangen is located on the B500 between Triberg and Titisee-Neustadt. The next motorways are the A864 near Bad Dürrheim and the A5 near Freiburg.
Get around
editA special feature of the region are call buses. You will drive to the regular scheduled schedule and stop at the usual stops, but only when booking in time at least 60 minutes before you arrive by phone! Bus plans, especially on villages, should therefore be read precisely.
See
edit- 1 German clock museum, Robert-Gerwig-Platz 1, 78120 Furtwangen, ☏ +49 07723 9 20-28 00, email@deutsches-uhrenmuseum.de.
- 2 Hexenlochmühle. At the Neukirch district. It opened as a nail forging, and later extended to the sawmill. Wooden frames for watches were made here. Tour with free entrance.
- 3 Rotenbauernhof (Rotenfarm). Founded in 15th century. It is now home to a Obstbrennerei. Visit of the farm and the distillery after prior registration possible.
- 4 Martinschapel (Martinskapelle). It is a little house of God. The direct source of the Breg river is also referred to as Donauquelle.
- 5 Brend und Brendtower. The Brend mountain, including the view tower, offers views to the Alps, Feldberg and Alsace. There is a good view of sunsets.
- 6 Bregspring (Donauspring).
- 7 Günterrock (Günterfelsen).
- 8 Fatima-Chapel (Fatima-Kapelle), Friedhofweg 6, 78120 Furtwangen im Schwarzwald. A small chapel with a good view of furtwangen from elevated postition.
Do
editHiking
editThe distance hiking trails Westweg from Pforzheim to Basel and Mittelweg from Pforzheim to Waldshut-Tiengen lead through the area of Furtwangen. There are good hiking possibilities. The Farnberg-Plateau with the peaks of the Brend (1149m high, view tower), the Roßeck (1152m), the Obereck (1177m) and the Rohrhardsberg (1155m) with good views. Also worth mentioning the Historical Path at Furtwangen-Neukirch
Winter sports
editFurtwangen offers good opportunities for winter sports. There are ski and sled rentals. Ski courses are provided through the Tourist Information.
Swimming
edit- 1 Bregtalbad, Jahnstraße 11, 78120 Furtwangen, ☏ +49 7723 9149710, info@bregtalbad.de. The Bregtalbad offers a 50-metre pool with a separation between the swimmer and non-swimmer area, a separated toddler area and a kiosk. The water is solar heated.
Buy
editEat
editDrink
editSleep
edit- Gasthof zum Ochsen, Marktplatz 9, 78120 Furtwangen im Schwarzwald, ☏ +49 7723 93116, info@ochsen-furtwangen.de.
- Hotel Brend, Auf dem Brend 7, 78120 Furtwangen im Schwarzwald, ☏ +49 7723 504870, info@berggasthofbrend.de.