The Pleasures of Freudenstadt

Freudenstadt (literally Joy or Pleasure City) is in the northern Schwarzwald,a region of many small Schwabishe villages and quite big hills. A holiday resort area with spas and hill walking, though not yet in season so no big crowds. The flowering trees in town are all open so beautiful blossoms. Asparagus is in season so it is the special at many restaurants. I dined at the hotel owner recommended (their own restaurant is closed on Wednesdays so I'll be there tomorrow) "Im Schlupfwinkel", a colloquilism that was explained in gesture and actions and might translate as "Canoodling Corner." It was cozy and romantic but I dined alone with my Weekly Guardian.



The town does focus on how much fun you can have during your visit. The website has ten pages:
* Holiday Pleasures
* Travel Pleasures
* Eat & Drink
* Hiking Pleasures
* Sporting Pleasures
* Water Pleasures
* Health Pleasures
* Winter Pleasures
* Pleasures of Life
* Exploring Pleasures
Apparently only eat and drink are obviously pleasures. I must check to see what the "Pleasures of Life" are.






The town, already established in the Middle Ages, underwent a considerable rebuilding during the 17th century as an early example of town planning. It has a huge market square and the town hall and church anchor down opposite corners. Quite a striking colonade of shops and restaurants surround the whole square. However these are all new. During the Second World War the Wehrmacht (German Army) built their western headquarters there and it was the base directing the attack on France in 1940. In mid April 1945 (just three weeks before the end of the War) the French First Army arrived to fight a determined SS military force. Consequently the town was completely destroyed by artillery, air attack and fire. The church in 1945 can be seen at bombed church. Over the past sixty years, with the bulk of restoration taking place in the 1950s, the town has rebuilt it self on its historic lines. The church bells I listened to this evening were only replaced in 1999.