Die Zavelsteiner Brunnentour

A tour through the origins of the Zavelstein fountains.

Zavelstein fountain tour

Today, it is taken for granted that high-quality water is available in practically unlimited supply. This was by no means always the case. For long periods of time - especially in water-scarce regions such as the Swabian Alb or in the mountain villages of the Black Forest - a more or less pronounced water shortage was part of everyday life, including in Zavelstein.

Pump wells and cisterns were used to make do. However, this was associated with serious problems: With limited water capacity, wells often fell dry after a persistent lack of rain, and water hygiene was poor.

The enormously high infant mortality rate well into the modern era and the average life expectancy of medieval people, which was limited to 30 years at best, can be attributed to a considerable extent to diseases transmitted by unhygienic water. Touching funerary epitaphs in Zavelstein church bear eloquent witness to the high infant mortality rate.

In 1624, the then lord of the castle Benjamin Buwinghausen von Wallmerode ensured that Zavelstein castle and town were supplied with fresh spring water, which still feeds 15 Zavelstein fountains today.

The Zavelstein fountain tour presents the history and special features of our water supply with 19 stations over a total length of 2 km. The trail starts at the castle, ends at the market square and is accessible in all weathers. It comprises 19 stations and is two-thirds circular. It is easy to find with the help of orientation maps at each station.

The fountain tour was created in 2009 by the Zavelstein Black Forest Association in collaboration with the town of Bad Teinach - Zavelstein. On the occasion of its anniversary year, Sparkasse Pforzheim - Calw supported the project financially.

Zavelstein fountain tour, total length approx. 3 km, 19 stations, starting at the castle, ending at the market square, central information in the old town weigh house.

Signposting and trail network of the Black Forest Association.