Calw, Historic market town in Northern Black Forest, Germany
Calw is a town in the northern Black Forest along the Nagold River, known for its timber-framed houses and narrow lanes around the central market square. The buildings show painted wooden beams, small windows, and steep roofs that line up along the riverbank and on the adjacent hills.
A castle belonging to the Counts of Calw stood here from 1037, before the site grew into a trading hub for cloth and leather. In medieval times, these industries brought wealth and new trade connections to other regions.
The museum dedicated to the literature laureate displays handwritten pages, photographs, and objects from the author's childhood years. The rooms show how his family lived in the 19th century and which influences shaped his later novels.
A rail line connects the town to Stuttgart and Pforzheim, and hiking paths start directly from the center into the woods. The lanes are mostly cobbled and sometimes steep, so sturdy shoes make walking easier.
The market square preserves a row of restored houses from the 16th century, including the writer's birthplace at number 6. The building now carries a memorial plaque and houses a small bookshop on the ground floor.
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