Insider tip: Calw in the Black Forest: A 950-year-old small town gem

Nestled between the wooded hills of the Black Forest and the gentle rippling Nagold River, Calw lies a picture-perfect German small town. Those seeking tranquility but not wanting to miss out on culture, history, and infrastructure will find the perfect blend here.

Calw's townscape is a feast for the eyes: well-kept half-timbered houses line the streets, and winding alleys invite you to stroll. And, as befits a Black Forest town, nature is always close at hand. The Nagold River flows through the old town, and around Calw, the most lush shades of green compete with one another.

The Nagold River shapes the townscape of Calw, as do the many half-timbered houses.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

Also worth a visit: the City Garden. It's quite old, having been established in 1871. Calw's City Garden offers exceptional views of the city's rooftops and the neighboring Black Forest. Hiking enthusiasts can try the "Water, Forest, and Meadow Trail." This pleasant hiking trail starts in the City Garden and leads through valleys, forests, and past historical sites.

Have you heard the name Calw before, even though you've never been to the area? That could be because the small town produced a truly great son. Calw is the hometown of the writer Hermann Hesse. The famous author was born here and remained deeply connected to his homeland throughout his life.

His hometown dedicated a statue to Hermann Hesse.

Source: Fiona Kolbe

Many of the Nobel Prize winner's works are influenced by impressions of Calw's old town and its surroundings. Those who want to experience Hesse can immerse themselves in his life and work through themed tours, city walks, or at the Hermann Hesse Museum in the Stadtpalais.

If you're not familiar with Calw yet, you should visit this gem of a small town in 2025. This year, Calw celebrates its 950th anniversary. It was first documented in 1075 under the then name "Chalawa." To celebrate its milestone anniversary, Calw will be transformed into a stage throughout the year.

The half-timbered town is home to hundreds of listed buildings, like this one on Calw's market square.

Source: Manuela Röskamm

A highlight is the anniversary town festival from June 27 to 29 on the market square. Book lovers will get their money's worth at the "Gerbersau Reading Summer" (July 4 to August 5) – with readings, guided tours, and walks in honor of Hermann Hesse.

Other highlights include a parade, a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony in the town church, an open-air cinema at Hirsau Monastery, and an atmospheric torchlit procession in the fall. The festivities culminate in a magical Christmas market at the end of November.

The monastery in the Hirsau district with its hunting lodge and bell tower is a magnet for visitors.

Source: av media factory Gert Tetzner

You can explore the city with a guide or on your own: with monastery tours, city tours, and nature tours. With the "Lauschtour" and "Zeigmal" apps, you can also easily create your own city tour and immerse yourself in Calw's 950-year-old history. Speaking of monastery tours: The Monastery of St. Peter and Paul in the Hirsau district is one of the most impressive monuments in the northern Black Forest.

Its history is even over 1000 years old: Hirsau Monastery was an important German reform monastery in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

Source: av media factory Gert Tetzner

Calw is a real insider tip for anyone who loves small, charming towns. Between culture, nature, and history, everyone will find inspiration here in the Black Forest.

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