Where tradition meets creativity
Germany is the home of masterful craftsmanship, from delicate cuckoo clocks in the Black Forest to wooden art from the Ore Mountains and the German bread culture. In Germany, tradition and innovation merge to create unique designs that inspire the world and combine history with modern creativity. Find out more about these local crafts and start planning your visit!
Discover the variety in German bread culture
One of Germany’s most celebrated crafts is the art of bread-making, shaped by the country’s rich history. From the famous soft pretzels to nutritious whole meal and rye-wheat bread all the way to rusks and pumpernickel, Germany has bread to suit every taste. It is produced using a wide variety of grains — chief among them wheat, rye and spelt — and methods handed down through the generations.
Those who prefer their baked goods somewhat sweeter are also spoiled for choice; Hamburg’s Franzbrötchen pastries, Berlin’s doughnuts, and the internationally acclaimed stollen cake from Dresden are just a few examples of what’s on offer.
The Black Forest cuckoo clock
Throughout the world, the cuckoo clock is inextricably linked with its home in the Black Forest. As early as 1840, there were 1,000 clockmakers here; every third clock in the world came from the Black Forest. Today, it’s a real cult object made in Germany.
The German Clock Route runs through the most beautifully striking landscapes in the popular holiday destinations of the Black Forest and Baar region. On this route, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the Black Forest’s famous clockmakers, with one extremely interesting museum and stunning must-see sight after the other. Where else could you find out more about the clock tradition than in the Black Forest? Factories, workshops and studios tell visitors all about their work.
At the heart of this clockmaking region, it soon becomes clear what a huge effect this craft has had, and still does today, on the Black Forest. There’s no denying that the cuckoo clock has lost none of its fascinating allure as the symbol of the Black Forest. In fact, visitors making their way from Triberg to Schönberg should make sure they check out the world’s largest cuckoo clock. Its height of more than 15 meters has even won it a place in the Guinness World Records.
Traditional handcrafts from Saxony
Those who have visit Saxony should definitely purchase a traditional nutcracker. These little wooden men aren’t only attractive to look at, but they can also be used to crack nuts. Hand-blown Christmas baubles, hand-carved wooden angels, and incense burners, which spread a wonderful scent in winter, come from the Ore Mountains. In addition to its famous craftsmanship, the Black Forest also offers breathtaking nature with dense forests, rolling hills, and abundant hiking trails.
