Originally published on September 7, 2025
Tried something new today—I let ChatGPT map out an itinerary of medieval towns nearby, and first up was Gengenbach. Driving in, we spotted the old medieval tower that once guarded the town gate. The other tower was wrapped in scaffolding (because if you come to Europe, you can count on at least one of the things you want to see being under renovation).
Along the way we ran into a painted fiberglass cow—bright blue and decorated with eight of the world’s great landmarks, from London’s Tower Bridge to the Statue of Liberty. Quirky, but fun! Then came the real gem: a picture-perfect half-timbered house perched right where two roads met. I may never be in Gengenbach again, so I made sure to take more than a few photos.
It was Sunday, which in Germany means “closed.” The town felt a little like Fremont back home on a Sunday afternoon—quiet streets and shuttered shops. Still, we lucked out with one bakery that was open, and we treated ourselves to one savory bite and one sweet. Honestly, if you’ve never been inside a real German bakery, you don’t know what you’re missing.
👉 Fun fact: Gengenbach has been called “the jewel of the Black Forest” and is famous for its medieval old town and the world’s largest Advent calendar, displayed each December across the 24 windows of the old town hall.
Next stop: Schiltach!
