“Valley within a valley,” a local saying goes. We are standing at the entrance to Kleines Kappler Tal. It is a part of the larger Kappler Tal near Freiburg. The Kleines Kappler Tal is a place of quiet beauty.
The Kappler Tal, as a whole, stretches from the edge of the Dreisamtal. It reaches up to the Schauinsland mountain. The mountain towers at 1284 meters. Kappel’s village center sits near the valley’s mouth. South of the village, the valley splits. It divides into the Gro.es and Kleines Kappler Tal.
The Gro.es Kappler Tal extends about 6.5 kilometers. It houses the Molzhofsiedlung. This settlement began as a mining community. The Reichenbach stream starts at the valley’s upper end.
The Kleines Kappler Tal is shorter than its counterpart. Scattered farmsteads dot its landscape. These farms add to the valley’s charm.
Kappel’s history is as rich as its landscape. It emerged in the 11th century. This followed extensive clearing of land in the Kappler Tal’s northern reaches. A chapel, or “capella,” was first mentioned in 1275. This chapel likely gave Kappel its name. The village’s layout matched its long valley setting for centuries. Farms stood apart from each other. This stretched up to the Herderhütte in the Gro.es Tal. It also went to the Sohlhof in the Kleines Kappler Tal.
The village center was originally small. It included a church, a parsonage, and a mill. Around 1800, smallholder homes appeared. These caused the settlement to grow. The tight building arrangements still make the streets narrow. Houses for miners also sprung up alongside farms. Kappel saw a population boom due to mining. This was especially true until mining ceased in 1954. A new area grew eastwards at the valley’s exit. This included the ore washing plant on Neuhäuserstra.e.
Kappel became part of Freiburg in 1974. The village was not entirely willing. However, it kept some independence. This included its own local constitution. It also had a village head and council.
Kappel’s coat of arms features a chapel. The chapel has a saddle roof and tower. This design was first recorded in 1766. The church’s roof and windows are red. The walls are white with black outlines. The reason for the chapel’s role as Kappel’s symbol remains unknown.
Mining played a significant role in Kappel’s past. Silver was mined from Schauinsland since the Middle Ages. Later, miners extracted lead and zinc. The Stolberger Zink AG ran the mining operations. It left behind a contaminated area of 2.4 hectares. This area held the ore washing facility.
Today, Kappel has about 3,000 residents. It offers a blend of nature and community. You will find restaurants, medical care, and shops here. The town also has active clubs and a local church. All contribute to life in Freiburg-Kappel. As you stand here in Kleines Kappler Tal, imagine the lives of those who shaped this land. From farmers to miners, each has left an indelible mark on this special place.