Читать книгу The Westweg. Through Germany's Black Forest онлайн

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Evidence of early farming settlements dates to around 4000BC. Traces of such camps have been found at a number of locations, such as Schönberg near Freiburg, at Breisach am Rhein and Burkheim am Kaiserstuhl. But it was early Celtic tribes around 800–700BC that began to make inroads into the forest itself. Creating clearances on the eastern plateau near the source of the River Danube, they were the first to exploit the natural resources of the area – most notably its iron ore.

The Romans also had a significant impact on the region, especially around the southern and western edges, where remains of their villas can still be seen. After conquering Helvetia, now modern-day Switzerland, they pushed north along the Rhine, gradually usurping the Celts and driving them into the hills. By AD76 they had built the first traffic artery through the Kinzig valley, in the heart of the Black Forest.

Archaeologists digging for traces of Pforzheim’s ancient past (stage 1)

The Romans, well known for their love of thermal baths, were delighted to find hot springs at sites such as Badenweiler and Baden-Baden and set about constructing elaborate bath houses. The original Roman ruins can still be seen today. Their traditions, meanwhile, have evolved into a modern spa culture.