Gengenbach is a historic town in the Black Forest, surrounded by forested hills and vineyards. It has pretty, half-timbered buildings and prides itself on having the largest Advent Calendar in the world, which is the local town hall and its 24 decorated windows.
Existing since the Middle Ages, Gengenbach was a trade, craft and wine center. Customs related to traditional carnival celebrations have survived to this day. The local church of St. Mary, which belonged to the abbey founded in the 9th century. After the destruction of the Thirty Years' War, it was rebuilt in the baroque style.
The buildings around and around the market square are among the highlights of Gengenbach. It is made up of tenement houses from different eras, some of them are half-timbered, others are baroque and classicist buildings with decorated facades. The building of the town hall stands out here, the facade of which was designed as an Advent Calendar. In the vicinity of the square, there is also the Obertor Tower, one of the most characteristic landmarks in the city.
Gengenbach can also boast some interesting sights. Connections with water are presented by the Rafting and Transport Museum, while the multimedia Museum of Fools Niggelturm is devoted to traditional carnival rituals and masks put on by the participants of the games on this occasion.
