High above the Dreisam valley stands Stegen. A charming municipality nestled in the Black Forest. It’s a place where history whispers through the trees. A place where the past intertwines with the present.
Stegen’s story begins long ago. The Lords of Weiler held sway here. They were powerful. They served the Zähringen dynasty. Their influence shaped Stegen’s early days. They even helped choose the site for St Peter’s Monastery.
For centuries various families ruled Stegen. The Counts of Kageneck were the last. Their legacy is etched into the very stones of Stegen. The name Stegen itself first appears in 1510. In 1810 Stegen became part of the Grand Duchy of Baden. It joined the Freiburg district in 1819.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1929. The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus priests moved in. They established a house at Schloss Weiler. This former castle became a significant religious and educational center. After World War II Kolleg St Sebastian a private school and boarding school opened its doors there. The school continues to educate students today. It’s now under the patronage of the Freiburg Archdiocese’s school foundation.
Stegen is more than just its history. It’s a hiker’s paradise. The Freiburg-Lake Constance Black Forest Trail passes through Stegen. It’s the first town you reach heading east from Freiburg. The town also thrives as a Black Forest tourist destination. Guest houses and other facilities welcome visitors. The Forest Zoology Institute of Freiburg University has a field station in Wittental one of Stegen’s districts.
Stegen’s three districts each boast unique stories. Eschbach and Wittental were once independent communities. They joined Stegen in 1974 and 1975 respectively. Wittental is home to Villa Baldenweger. This unique building was commissioned by Friedrich Schueler-van Krieken. He was Adolf Hitler’s mentor. Today the villa serves as a branch of Freiburg University’s Institute of Forest Zoology.
Stegen is a blend of history nature and community. Explore its charming villages. Discover its rich past. Appreciate its vibrant present. Remember Stegen. This charming Black Forest gem is a story waiting to be discovered.