The Black Forest region ('Schwarzwald') is essentially
known for three distinctive features: its highlands, scenery
and woods, the typical Black Forest Gateau
('Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte') whose success is based
on tasty cherry schnapps and the traditional cuckoo-clock.
The name black forest was quite accurate in earlier times,
when the forest was impenetrable though profitable - wood,
silver and ore were the foundations of the Black Forest's
inhabitants comparable wealth. When the wood trade began to
falter clock-making stepped in and has been a successful
industry for the Black Forest ever since the 17th century.
Another famous feature of the Black Forest region are
the traditional hats with their enormous pompoms called 'Bollenhut'.
They are particularly distinctive among Germany's traditional
costumes. The hat is famous all over the world even though it
was originally worn in only three parishes of the Black Forest
region and on special occasions only.
The Black Forest region is blessed with a particularly
rich mythological landscape. It is said to be haunted by werewolves,
sorcerers, witches and the devil in differing guises. Helpful
dwarves try to balance the scales.
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