4 Best Sights in The Black Forest, Germany

In the center of Furtwangen, 16 km (10 miles) south of Triberg, drop in on the Uhrenmuseum, the largest such museum in Germany. It charts the development of Black Forest clocks and exhibits all types of timepieces—from cuckoo clocks, church clock mechanisms, kinetic wristwatches, and old decorative desktop clocks to punch clocks and digital blinking objects. The museum is closed for renovations until 2026.

The first museum dedicated to the work of Russian jeweler Carl Peter Fabergé holds up to 700 masterpieces from the private collection of Muscovite businessman A. Ivanov. Priceless pieces from the late 19th century include several of the 52 unique eggs gifted to members of Russian royalty, including the first of its kind, a modest egg made of white enamel inside of which a gold yolk, tiny chick, and diamond-emblazoned crown are nested. A Buddha made of nephrite—a green stone unique to Russia—with ruby eyes was originally a gift to the King of Siam. The collection also includes gold pieces from contemporary master goldsmiths. Multilingual staff are on hand to explain the collection in detail.

Near the town hall and church in the upper part of town is the little Hauffs Märchenmuseum, devoted to the crafts and life around Baiersbronn and the fairy tale author William Hauff (1802–27). There’s no English-language signposting, but videos and a play area for kids offer a worthy stop, especially on a rainy day. Daily hours can be limited, so check with the tourist office.

Triberg's famous Schwarzwaldmuseum is a treasure trove of the region's traditional arts: wood carving, costumes, and handicrafts. The Schwarzwaldbahn is described, with historical displays and a working model. The Black Forest was also a center of mechanical music, and, among many other things, the museum has an "Orchestrion"—a cabinet full of mechanical instruments playing like an orchestra.