Münstertal/Black Forest: Sacred history, mining and the Belchen

In Münstertal/Black Forest, sacred history, mining and a striking mountain landscape come together. St. Trudpert became a pilgrimage site in 1192; the Baroque parish church and monastery date back to a foundation in the 9th century. The Münstertal Museum explores the valley’s mining, forestry and settlement history. The Teufelsgrund visitor mine, the family trail and the Belchen add underground exploration, exercise and landscape to the mix. This gives you a varied range of options when planning your trip: you can choose how much emphasis to place on cultural history, active pursuits and mountain scenery.

Sacred history and the Münstertal Museum

The Baroque parish church of St. Trudpert is the fourth sacred building on this site, together with the monastery. In 1192, Pope Celestine III elevated St. Trudpert to a pilgrimage site. The history of the building and the history of pilgrimage are intertwined here, offering a tangible way to explore Münstertal’s religious past.

The Münstertal Museum covers the mining, forestry and settlement history of Münstertal in the Black Forest. It was founded as a Forest Museum in 1980 and opened at Münstertal Town Hall in 2015 under the name “Münstertal Museum – Museum of Mining, Forestry, Settlement and Local History of Münstertal.” The two names alone highlight different emphases: the Forest Museum was followed by a title listing mining, forestry, settlement and local history. The museum’s themes complement the sacred buildings with other aspects of the valley’s history.

Another business in Münstertal is Böhnisch Tannery, a tannery and fur shop. It differs thematically from the history of the churches and museum, adding the craft of tanning to the town’s range of attractions.

Visitor mine, family trail and mountain landscape

The temperature in the Teufelsgrund visitor mine stays at 8 °C year-round; a jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended. This is a practical tip for preparing for your visit, regardless of the season.

The Münstertal Family Trail offers a different kind of experience: its activity stations provide opportunities for climbing, long jumping, target throwing and playing marbles. These activities offer a range of different movement and skill-based challenges. If you’re planning a trip with children, this can help you decide whether this kind of activity suits your plans.

At 1,414 m, the Belchen towers above the valley below and the surrounding region. While St. Trudpert and the museum focus on cultural history, the Belchen is a landmark in the landscape. Münstertal thus offers a range of interests, from sacred buildings and local history to mountain scenery.

More things to do in Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald

The wider Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald destination offers additional leisure activities. At Badeparadies Schwarzwald in Titisee, summer temperatures prevail 365 days a year, with real palm trees and turquoise-blue water. The Galaxy waterslide world at Badeparadies offers more than 25 attractions and water fun for all ages. Fundorena’s facilities include a three-level trampoline park. The Fundorena X Mind Arena has six stations; there is also an on-site snack bar, “Chicco’s Lounge.”

The wider destination therefore offers a choice of different experiences: water fun in Titisee and activities at Fundorena complement Münstertal’s cultural and landscape attractions. Many places in Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district can be reached by train; with the free KONUS guest card, local and regional trains and buses can be used free of charge throughout the Black Forest.

Discover more destinations: Ihringen am Kaiserstuhl, Heitersheim, Heuweiler, Sankt Märgen, Ballrechten-Dottingen, Wittnau, Merzhausen, Pfaffenweiler.

View the main travel guide: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.