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THE BLACK FOREST
The Black Forest (in German: Schwarzwald) is a mountainous area, partly covered by forests in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, on the border to France and Switzerland. It is neighboured by the Rhine valley to the west and south. Its highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 ft.). The region is almost rectangular in area with a length of 160 km (99 mi) and breadth of up to 60 km The Romans called the region "Silva Nigra" - the dark and scary forest. This was a very sparsely populated part of the world and maybe that's why the Black Forest people always made sure that they give a warm welcome to any guests. This is the way it is at the Black Forest Village - some like our traditional specialities, others the overwhelming nature and the typical architecture - but all appreciate our high standard of hospitality, accommodation and service.
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THE "ALTE STEIGE"
The most important traffic route through the "Falkensteiner Tal" (valley of Falkenstein) in medieval times was the Alte Steige (old ascent), which avoided going through flooding-prone Löffeltal. That's why most transports in the early Middle Ages passed through here - including documented use of draught animals pulling carts and carriages since 1306. To make the ascent of the "Alte Steige" 2-8 additional horses per carriage were required which caused the construction of stables and introduction of road maintenance crews. These stables were created at the inn below the ascent (now: Hofgut Sternen) and at the now defunct inn above the ascent. These two inns also served as temporary homes to haulers and roadmen. Subsequently other trades and crafts started to settle, such as black-smiths, wainwrights and saddlers.
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RAVENNA VIADUCT
Today's stone arch bridge (length 224m, height 36m, ascent 12m) resembles the second bridge built in 1926/27. It replaced the first bridge, a steel construction on stone pillars from 1885 which bent across the Ravenna creek about 30m further up the valley (depicted below). The old bearings can still be seen through the trees on the sides of the valley. During World War II, the bridge was target of many bomber attacks. By using barrage balloons, sight was hindered and the bridge was never hit, while the surrounding terrain including St. Oswald's Chapel suffered severe damage. Shortly before the end of the war in 1945 the three middle pillars were blown up by retreating German forces. Reconstruction through a local company occurred in 1947/48 under supervision by the French occupation army.
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ST. OSWALD´S CHAPEL
In 1148 the local chapel was consecrated by bishop Hermann of Constance. This consecration marks the oldest documented proof for regional settlement by the House of Falkenstein. During the 13th century, St. Oswald's Chapel became a subsidiary of the church of Breitnau before it eventually was affiliated with the church Maria in Hinter-zarten. Despite all the changes in affiliation, the chapel retained many rights and was maintained through regular church services until 1798. Throughout its existence the chapel experienced some changes and extensions but the cemetery which was in use until 1863 can still be seen next to the charnel house. To this day the charnel house displays the human remains of locals who were buried at St. Oswald. It became a necessity because of the soil which was too bad for a larger cemetery.
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HISTORIC TOLLHOUSE
The trail through Hell's Valley and the "Steige" (the old ascent) with its 13% gradient had to be kept in good shape, therefore a bridge toll and road duty system was established in the 13th century and a tollhouse was built at the "Wirtshaus unter der Steig". By order of the local government the landlords of Hofgut Sternen became toll and tax collectors. They were in charge of the valley-trail and the "Steige" and employed the roadmen. Furthermore they kept stables for additional horses to pull the carriages. Additionally to the government and the duke or earl in charge the hotel landlords were given some share of the toll earnings. Today's building, constructed by the "Heimatpfad Hochschwarzwald e.V.", is a reconstruction built in the 1980's based on historic documents about toll stations from the 18th century.
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