Welcome to Pforzheim.de

Gold City. Gateway to the Black Forest.

A Short Description

A Lively City of Jewellery and Watches
Even in the Middle Ages, Pforzheim was one of the most important cities of the country - until 1565 it was the residence of the Margraves of Baden. But it was the foundation of a manufactory for the production of watches and bijouterie in 1767 A.D. that made the city on the rivers Enz, Nagold and Würm the internationally renowned "City of Gold".

However, its existence seemed to have come to an end when it was almost completely laid in ruins by an air raid on 23rd February 1945.
Nevertheless, reconstruction work was carried out with admirable energy in the following two decades. In those days the city began to grow out of the debris into the Pforzheim of today.
Built a new, functional yet also amiable, it became once again the metropolis of the German watch and jewellery-making industry. It has now 117000 inhabitants and sponsors lively cultural activities; it is the centre of the Northern Black Forest Region, a countryside of great diversity.

In short - Pforzheim is once again a city of jewels and a jewel of a city it has always been.


Special Events in the City Centre

Do you love festivities offering just more than one boring hot dog stand after another? You do?
Then you will not only get your moneys worth in Pforzheim but also acquire a taste for joining in more than only one of the many lively and imaginative events.
The only problem you will have is deciding where to go, because all the year round there are occasions to celebrate in the "City of Gold", and each of them has its own special charm.

There is really a lot to be fascinated by - and not only for adults: the wide-eyed little ones are enthralled by the sleights of hand, breathtaking acts and acrobatic interludes at the Festival of Conjures and Jugglers in the pedestrian area. Not only the seniors get enthusiastic about the great veteran car rallies.

Beside that there are many international sporting events in Pforzheim like the "Tour de France", the international Balloon Festival "German Cup" or the City Run. The "Gate to the Black Forest" is anyway good at presenting itself to its best advantage when it comes to celebrating. Why not come and see for yourself?


Fascinating Things from Times Past and Present

The name of Johannes Reuchlin (1455 - 1522) is connected with memories of the prime of renaissance art and science. The building bearing his name ("Reuchlinhaus) keeps this memory alive as a commitment. It is the cultural centre of the city and houses the 'Schmuckmuseum", a museum of jewellery of worldwide importance. The gems exhibited originate from all ages and countries and new treasures are acquired steadily (re-opening in march 2006).

In SCHMUCKWELTEN Pforzheim the international centre for jewellery and watches and Europe's unique shopping and experiencing platform, you will see jewellery and watches in a new dimension. Let yourself be excited by its extraordinary fascination.

In the Technical Museum of the jewellery and watch-making industry, historical machinery is hissing, tingling and rattling away in large former workshops which have been rehoused there. The subject of jewellery, so important to Pforzheim, is complemented by the Edelsteinausstellung Schütt -company, a permanent exhibition of gems permitting a fascinating glimpse into the sparkling world of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other precious stones.

The Bäuerliches Museum (Museum of Peasant Life) may make you feel nostalgic: there you can see for yourself how versatile a farmer had to be in the times before mechanization and rationalization.