The Golden City – Pforzheim

4 min read

1. Gateway to the Black Forest
Pforzheim is located at the southwest of Germany, the eastern part of the Black Forest(Schwarzwald) and the rim of the hilly country of the Kraichgau. It is also situated in an open valley at the confluence of the rivers Würm and Nagold and the rivers Nagold and Enz. Due to its unique location, this city is also called the “three-valleys town” (Drei-Täler Stadt) or the “Gateway to the Black Forest”.

Black Forest

2. The Golden City
The city was founded by the Romans as a fortified camp and developed into an important mercantile centre during the Middle Ages. Pforzheim is most well-known for its jewellery and watch-making industry, and as such has gained the nickname “Goldstadt” (“Golden City”). When you visit Pforzheim you’ll see gold, jewellery and watches all over the place.

The golden city-pforzheim

3. World War II
Pforzheim was bombed by the Allies a number of times during the second world war. The largest raid and one of the most devastating area by heavy bombardments was carried out by the Royal Air Force on the evening of 23 February 1945. Nearly one-third of the town’s population, 17,600 people were killed in the air raid, and about 83% of the town’s buildings were destroyed.

Pforzheim church

4. Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim (Jewellery Museum)
Devoted to the history of jewellery, the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim (Pforzheim Jewellery Museum) is the only museum of its kind worldwide. Some 2000 exhibits, including an extensive ring collection, reveal the vast diversity of jewellery over five thousand years. The collection on permanent display focuses on treasures from Greco-Roman antiquity, the Renaissance and Jugendstil/Art Nouveau as well as contemporary art jewellery.
Moreover, there are collections of Ethnic Jewellery and pocket watches at the display. The history of the jewellery industry in the ‘golden’ city of Pforzheim is also surveyed. In addition, visitors can continue to rediscover the Museum at regular special exhibitions.
The Reuchlin House, inaugurated in 1961 as the Pforzheim Municipal Cultural Centre, is a jewel of architecture. Designed in the ‘International Style’ by the architect Manfred Lehmbruck, it has always been one of the most architecturally interesting buildings in the Museum complex.

Watch Pforzheim

5. The Symbolic Landmark-Gasometer
One of Pforzheim`s symbolic buildings is a former gasometer, which is now used as an exhibition space and it is in the monument protection list.
It is immensely known for its 360° panorama that provides an exceptional view of the city’s surroundings. The colossal size of the Gasometer Pforzheim is about 40 m high. Imagine a huge IMAX type theatre but with only one picture going 360 degrees around you. Then the lighting changes to simulate day turning to night with music going on. Due to its unique location, it is often used as a lovely and romantic setting for photos.

Gasometer Pforzheim

6. Büchenbronn Observation Tower
Another attractive spot is the Büchenbronn Observation Tower, a lattice tower situated on the Büchenbronn Height (608.50 above sea level) near Pforzheim in the state of Baden-Württemberg, you should definitely go to enjoy the magnificent view there! Rising up high in the sky, the noteworthy tower offers breathtaking views of the city. The Observation Tower was fully completed back in 1883, since then the tower has never stopped impressing the tourists!

Büchenbronn Observation Tower

7. The Alpine Garden
Take a break from the exhausting sightseeing tour to the Alpine Garden, you can observe over 100,000 plants from around the world. Its main flowering period is from late April to mid-June when the Alpine roses and rhododendrons bloom. During that time of the year, gardens are at their most gorgeous look with lots of flowering around.

The Alpine Garden

8. The Exotic Wildpark Pforzheim
Wildpark Pforzheim has always been a lovely and fun option when one feels like to do something both relaxing and adventurous. In approximately 16 hectares there are more than 400 mammals, 70 species fish and birds. As wild as it promises to be, the exotic park zoo is filled to the brim with a variety of species waiting to be discovered.

Wildpark Pforzheim