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Original from the Black Forest - regional influences

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The traditional region in southwest Germany is known for its many cultural and culinary exports. The rich culture of the Black Forest is reflected in cakes, hats and even many fairy tales. This is precisely why the holiday region is so popular and known all over the world for holidaymakers from Germany and abroad.

The Black Forest cake

The popular cream cake is an international hit and is even celebrated with its own festival. The sweet sin is prepared with kirsch, Whipped cream, chocolate sponge cake, cherries and chocolate shavings. Together they create a sweet, creamy taste that is offered in many variations. The Black Forest cherry aroma is also available in the form of ice cream cups from Cremissimo or as a dessert in a glass. The origin of the cake dates back to the 19th century, when the Swabian Josef Keller created the recipe for the cake in his pastry shop. Back then, the confectioner used shortcrust pastry for the creamy treat. However, Erwin Hildebrandt, the master confectioner of Café Walz, who came from the Black Forest, was later named as the inventor. Today, the Black Forest cake is one of the most popular specialties from Germany and is offered in international cuisine. The alcohol is often left out or other little things are changed - but the basic recipe remains the same almost everywhere. A cake festival has been taking place in Todtnauberg since 2006, where amateur bakers and professional cake makers can put their Black Forest church cakes to the test to taste. 30 places are open for the competition.

The Black Forest Bollenhut

The traditional garment is worn in some regions of the Black Forest and has a long history with it. The wide straw hat carries 11 bulbs Wool, which have a different color depending on the woman's relationship status. Unmarried women wear red Bollen on their hats, while the Bollen hat of married women is decorated with black wool. The costume weighs up to 2kg and is elaborately made by traditional hat makers. The production of the balls is relatively simple. To do this, the wool is wrapped around a perforated cardboard disk and later cut open. A hood made of silk is worn under the hat. Some women only wear this hood because the red balls can only be put on after confirmation. Especially through the homeland film "Black Forest Girl" was clothing known in other regions of the country. Today the Bollenhut is a popular souvenir for holidaymakers in the region and can be equated with the lederhosen in Bavaria.

Cuckoo clock from the Black Forest

Another traditional craft in the Black Forest are the impressive ones Cuckoohand carved in the region. The brothers Andreas and Christoph Herr began to manufacture the classic cuckoo clocks that could play music back in the 19th century. The mechanical wall clocks have a pendulum that is often carved in the shape of a pine cone. The cuckoo appears every hour on the hour and whistles as it is pushed out of a small door at the top of the clock. The whistle used to be produced by small organ pipes, but today, like the rest of the clock, it is often made artificially. The pendulum movement is now more and more a dummy and the clock is driven by a quartz movement instead. Original watches can still be bought in the Black Forest. In Furtwangenwhere the first clock school for cuckoo clocks was founded in the 19th century, you can find the collection of the German watch museum todaywhere some of the most beautiful creations can be admired. A visit pays off!

Stories from the Black Forest

The beautiful natural backdrop of the Black Forest has already become a real source of inspiration for many storytellers. Thanks to its mountains, valleys and dark forests, the Black Forest is said to have served as a template for many legends and fairy tales. The famous fairy tale "The Cold Heart" by Wilhelm Hauff from 1827 was about the coal munk Peter, who meets a good-natured forest spirit in the Black Forest and can have three wishes come true. After he has gained wealth and prestige through his desires, his business goes down the drain and poor Peter turns to another ghost - the Dutch Michel. For his wish for money, he asks Peter's heart and replaces it with a stone. The story later served as a template for an opera and was often printed and filmed several times. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are also said to have been inspired by the fantastic landscape of the Black Forest. The forest is a recurring theme in many of the stories and has a mystical flair. The fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel is a classic example of the forest scenery and the walk through the forest is also a dangerous undertaking for Little Red Riding Hood. The Grimm brothers' fairy tale collections are still a popular motif today. They are read in their original form as well as interpreted in a modern way in films. Fairy tales are also a popular theme in games: for example, there is the story of Snow White for the Game Boy or fairy tale fairies to play in Goldwyns Fairies on Betway. But even modern storytellers cannot keep their hands off the dreamy backdrop of the Black Forest. The television series "Die Schwarzwaldklinik" became one of the most successful German productions and produced 70 episodes of the popular doctor series. Following its German success, it was broadcast in 38 countries including Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia and even South Africa. A special was filmed for the 20th anniversary of the successful format, which attracted 14 million viewers. The scenes were the locations Glottertal, Schiltach and Grafenhausen. Who didn't love it

The Black Forest has a rich tradition and is considered a source of inspiration for many people from all over the world. With its beautiful mountains, valleys and forests, it is no wonder that the Black Forest is considered a template for fairy tales and still attracts countless visitors today.