The Black Forest (Schwarzwald, in German) is Germany’s highest and largest contiguous low mountain range and is located in southwestern Baden-Württemberg. It is the most important tourist region of the state and the most visited vacation destination among the German low mountain ranges. In ancient times, the Black Forest was known as Abnoba mons, after the Celtic deity Abnoba. In late Roman antiquity, the name Marciana Silva (“Marcynian Forest”; from Germanic marka, “border”) is also found. The Black Forest probably described the border to the territory of the Marcomanni (“border people”) settling east of the Roman Limes. These in turn belonged to the Germanic Suebi people, from whom the later Swabians were derived.
According to recent scientific findings, a settlement of the Black Forest could have already taken place in prehistory and early history. Among other things, pollen analyses and results of surveys indicate this. There is reliable evidence of settlement activities in the peripheral areas, for example in the Zarten basin (Tarodunum), near Neuenbürg, where there was a center of iron smelting from the 6th to the 4th century B.C., or in Baden-Baden, the Roman thermal spa Aquae from the 1st to the 3rd century A.D.
In the southern Black Forest there was probably a road connection over the Thurner from the Iron Age to the early Middle Ages, and later the Romans created the Kinzigtal road. A Roman temple district at Brandsteig as well as a Gallo-Roman spring sanctuary at the source of the Brigach near St. Georgen point to a cultic significance of the low mountain range.[19] Secure evidence for settlements can be found again towards the end of the 10th century, for example Rötenbach, which is mentioned for the first time in 819. In a document book of the monastery of St. Gall, the Black Forest is first mentioned as saltu Svarzwald in 868.
We Bring You Tales from The Black Forest
But we don’t have to preach all the beauties of this place on this website because I am sure you have heard of it before. At least, vaguely. You are not here to read about Geology or to get some travel tips; you are here because this place is full of magic.
Ghosts, Goblins, Fairies and Witches, the Black Forest has it all. Germany in itself is a rich country when it comes to stories of magical worlds and creatures, but unfortunately, the modern age nearly destroyed the legacy that folk tales left behind. Nowadays, many children don’t know about the old Grimm Brothers’ tales anymore; the magic and the mystery is getting lost in triviality. But not here!
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
As the Halls in The Forest founder and host, I am committed to bringing you amazing, spine-chilling and beautiful tales from this so mysterious and gorgeous place. I don’t know if you know but I live in Germany, and have lived here for half of my life; so I know one thing or two about its mysteries and forgotten stories.
Some of them are:
- The Restless Barbara
- The Root-Faun
- The Windbride
- The Witches Rock
These tales don’t even represent not the beginning, because I sure have over 200 tales from the Black Forest to tell you. I hope I got you excited! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you won’t miss the latest videos, blog posts or news from the woods.
Have a magical day!
Yours truly,
C. A. Saltoris
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