Villingen-Schwenningen is a city known for its watchmaking, friendly atmosphere and nice historic center.
Until 1972, Villingen and Schwenningen were two separate cities. The history of Villingen dates back to the 9th century, when the local stronghold was ruled by Austrian magnates, and then it was transformed into a small fortress. On the other hand, Schwenningen remained a village until the 19th century, and only the establishment of the first watch factory in 1858 accelerated its development and transformation into an urban center.
Some old buildings have been preserved in Villingen-Schwenningen, including the Church of Our Lady and the remains of the city walls. There is also the Watch Museum and the Museum of the Franciscan Monastery. A major attraction in Villingen-Schwenningen is the Aviation Museum, housed in the former hangars of the local airport, and the Wanne Observation Tower built in 1888, one of the first iron towers in Germany.
Around Villingen-Schwenningen, you will find the picturesque Black Forest area with many hiking and cycling routes. A popular excursion destination is the Schwenninger Moos nature reserve with its moors and peat bogs.
