Bollenhut is headdress which was worn during 1750 by the Protestant women as a part of their costume locally. Also known as Tracht in the neighbouring villages of Black Forest mainly the Gutach, Kirnbach and Hornberg-Reichenbach. Bollenhut haspompoms which are woollen; a picturesque red bollenhut has become a symbol of the Black Forest even despite its local origins. People also say that the beautiful red pom-poms and the white brim of the Bollenhutseemto have inspired the uppermost layer of the famous Black Forest cake.
The BlackForest is one of the largest forest mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. It is surrounded by the Rhine valley towards the west and south. The tallest peak found here is Feldberg having an altitude of 1,493 metres which is around 4,898 ft. The region has a unique rectangular shape and a length of 160 km and breadth of up to 60 km.
Location
It stretches from the high Rhine in the south till the Kraichgau in the north. The Black Forest makes the most elevated region of the South German Scarplands, and most of it is densely forested.
The Black Forest coversss an area of over 150 kilometres, thereby, attains a width of around 50 miles in the south, and around 30 kilometres in the north side. Tectonically, the range forms a lifted fault block, which rises significantly on the west side from the Upper Rhine Plain, when seen from the east, it seems like a heavily forested plateau
Weather
Weather wise, the black forest differs from its countryside and has a lower temperature and high rainfall. Regular rainfall is found in the highlands of Black Forest throughout the year. Besides, temperatures do not fall evenly with the increasing elevation; also the rainfall does not increase uniformly. Instead, the precipitation rises fast in the flat regions and is disproportionately heavy near the western side of the mountains.
We find that the high altitudes of the black forest is usually characterised by a marginal annual range in the climate and streamlined extreme values. It is mainly because of the frequent light winds and great cloud cover found in the summer. The winter months, however, have persistent high pressure meaning that the summit receives the sunshine when the valleys disappear under the thick blanket of fog which happens as a result of pockets of cold air.
History
Remains of the military establishments dating back to the time between 17th and 18th century are found in the black forest mainly on the mountain passes. Some of it includes a number of fieldworks of Margrave Louis William of Baden-Baden. Initially, the Black Forest was a forest with deciduous trees and firs. However, by mid 19th century, the black forest was made to lose most of the tree cover due to intensive deforestation and later on, was replanted with spruce vegetation.
Bollenhut: a folk costume
Bollenhut has a broad-brimmed and white washed straw which has 14 evident, woollen, pompoms which are arranged in the shape of a cross. You will find that only eleven pompoms are visible, this is because those on the top cover three of them. There are different types which are worn by women. Unmarried women wear the one with red pompoms, black is worn by married women, at the same time old women and widows wear only the mob cap. This bollenhut can weigh up to 2 kg and is manufactured and designed by female milliners. The red Bollenhut may be worn by girls during their confirmation also.
Travelling in the city
Major parts of the Black Forest today depend on largely on the tourism sector. There is an organisation called the Black Forest Tourism that assesses around 140,000 people to work full-time in the sector of tourism.
There are several routes for the tourists that run through the Black Forest. There are very popular holiday routes like the Black Forest high Road and the German Clock Road which are used by commuters very often. The tourists prefer using these roads for travelling as well. You can also follow the same route and enjoy visiting various amazing tourist destinations this place has on offer.
Also, since the place is filled with winding roads, it is a heaven for all those motorcyclists out there. But this is also seen as controversial because of a vast number of accidents and the wide-ranging noise pollution happening there. But these have been restricted by introducing speed limits and by placing certain roads out of bounds for tourists. So, if you are an adventure lover, you cannot afford to miss out on this place.
Why visit?
Plan your next vacation around the black forest and enjoy one hell of a ride! The place has several things in store for you! From hiking to water sports to enjoying the rich culture, all can be found here making your vacation worth remembering!
There are several historic towns in the Black Forest. Some of the popular tourist spots include Baden-Baden, Calw, Staufen, Schiltach, Gengenbach and Altensteig.
Other than this, few other popular destinations include such mountains such as the Feldberg, the Kandel,the Belchen, and the Schauinsland; the Titisee and Schluchsee lakes; the ever beautiful and charming All Saints Waterfalls; the Triberg Waterfalls. Though it is not the highest, but is the most famous waterfalls in Germany; and the gorge of the River Wutach.
One Black Forest Open Air Museum is showcasing the life of 16th or 17th-century farmers in the region, by featuring a number of reconstructed Black Forest farms. There is a German Clock Museum in Furtwangen that portrays the history of the clock industry and watchmakers.
All in all, you will get to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity by enjoying the scenic beauty and history which is embedded in the thick and dark forests of the Black Forest. A trip with family and friends is highly recommended in these forests.
Major attractions
One of the most visited tourist destinations in the Black Forest is the Titisee and Schluchsee. These two lakes offer various opportunities for water sports like that of diving and windsurfing. You can reach from Freiburg to these lakes through Hollental via the Hirschsprung monument which is located near the narrowest point in the valley and has the Oswald Chapel just below the Ravenna gorge. This is one of the most amazing places to visit as a tourist.
Also, you may visit, one of the off-listed towns known as Baden-Baden that has thermal baths and festive hall.
There are various other popular tourist destinations here like the old roayl town of Gengenbach, the Schiltach, Wolfach and HaslachKinzigtal. One should visit the flower and wine village of Sasbachwalden which is located near the foot of Hornisgrinde.
The Murg valley, the Triberg Waterfalls, the Kinzig valley at Vogtsbauernhof are also quite favorite.
There are various lookout mountains like the Feldberg, the Kandel, the Belchen and the Schauinsland in the southern part of the Black Forest; and the Hornisgrinde, the Hohloh, and the Teufelsmühle in the Northern Black Forest where you can have a great time. So, go ahead and visit this amazing place with your family and friends and enjoy the beauty of nature in Bollenhut.