Unbelievable, but True6 Curious Water Attractions and Phenomena in Baden-Württemberg
6.11.2023by Hirsch & Greif
Surprising Stories about the Waters of Southwest Germany
Submerged lakes, rivers that form marbles and 250 springs in one city: there are lots of surprising stories and facts about water in Southwest Germany. Find out why the stollen from the Wimsen Cave is so aromatic, how long it takes drinking water to get from Lake Constance to the Odenwald Forest and which ancient fossils live in Lake Eichener See.
On top of that, you can also visit the surrounding attractions!
#1 A Rriver SubmergesFascinating Danube Seepage
The Danube, one of the mightiest rivers in Europe, is always good for a surprise. The ‘Danube Seepage’ near Immendingen is a unique natural phenomenon. From around May to September, the Danube seeps into the porous karst rock and only reappears twelve kilometres later in the Aachtopf Source. Depending on the weather, you can hike along the riverbed and find prehistoric fossils, all without getting your feet wet. donaubergland.de/Donauversickerung
#2 Maturing in the CaveCave Stollen from Hayingen
It is the source of the Zwiefalter Aach River and the only water cave in Germany that can be reached by boat. A barge can take you 70 metres into the cave, then the only way forward is underwater. On the way into the low Wimsen Cave (Wimsener Höhle), with its shimmering green water, in autumn, you pass a mysterious box. This is where baker Heiner Beck keeps a very special cake: the cave stollen (‘Höhlenstollen’). The constantly cool temperature and high humidity allows it to develop its fine flavour before being sold for Christmas. www.tressbrueder.de/wimsener-hoehle/
The Wimsen Cave in the Swabian Alb is Germany's only water cave accessible by boat.
#3 Fountains EverywhereStuttgart - a City of Fountains
More than 250 fountains and water features: the state capital of Baden-Württemberg is known as the ‘fountain metropolis' for a good reason. Many of the springs even bubble with mineral and medicinal water, as Stuttgart has the second largest mineral water reserves in Europe. The 19th-century Galatea Fountain is still a popular photo motif. For an overview of all the fountains, take a guided tour. www.stiftung-stuttgarter-bruennele.de
With its more than 250 fountains, Stuttgart is also known as the 'fountain metropolis'
#4 The Journey of the Drinking WaterLake Constance Water Supply
Lake Constance is Europe’s largest drinking water reservoir, supplying around four million people in Baden-Württemberg. The water is treated at the Lake Constance Water Supply Centre in Sipplingen. It is then distributed throughout Southwest Germany via thousands of kilometres of pipes using hydroelectric power and pump systems. The water takes two days to get to Stuttgart and a whole week to reach the Odenwald Forest. www.bodensee-wasserversorgung.de
The Lake Constance Water Supply Centre has been providing drinking water from Lake Constance for over 60 years.
#5 Now You See It, Now You Don'tMysterious Lake Eichener See
Lake Eichener See near Schopfheim always appears unexpectedly when the groundwater rises in the underground cave system of the doline. The lake can be up to three metres deep and submerge around 2.5 hectares of land. It is also home to a rare living fossil: the prehistoric Eubranchipus grubii lays its eggs that can survive up to three dry periods in the ground until Lake Eichener See returns. www.eichen.schopfheim.de/Eichener-See
#6 Well-RoundedNeidlingen Marble Mill
The marble pieces dance back and forth in the rushing water. The edges grind down further and further until perfect marbles are formed. Eachone is unique: the inner structure of the Jura stone is only revealed when they are polished. As well as the Neidlingen Marble Mill (Neidlinger Kugelmühle), you can also visit the marble factory a few metres further upstream. www.kugelmuehle-neidlingen.de
