Poet and Nobel Prize Laureate Hermann Hesse made this small town in the northern Black Forest famous by giving it a place in literature. In records though, Calw was mentioned for the first time in AD 1075. Calw is situated in the midst of the Nagold Valley. Over 200 wonderful half-timbered houses tell of the period of glory during the 17th century in which the town got wealthy by trading wood and salt and later on also textiles. Their facades turn one of the nicest and most crowded pedestrian areas in South Germany into fantastic scenery.

TIP: Visit the impressive ruin of the monastery of Hirsau near Calw. The former Benedictine's abbey became one of the biggest and most powerful monasteries in Germany during the 11th century. It played an important part in the famous struggle of power between popes and emperors of the middle Ages.

Photo: Nikolaus-Bridge in Calw, a place where Hermann Hesse preferred to stay for fishing at the river Nagold. Today  there is a sculpture right on the top of the bridge showing Hermann Hesse the famous author.

For further information: http://www.calw.de/de/Home

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