The image is stunning. A towering stone viaduct dominates the scene. Under its arches, as if a kind of lichen climbing from the roots of each column, small stalls appear, discernible thanks to the Christmas lighting.
We find ourselves in the so-called Valley of Hell (Höllental), the place where Goethe drew inspiration and wandered among its mosses, forests, streams, bridges… and where the town of Hinterzarten lies. This town was born in the Middle Ages almost by chance, as a waypoint for those who wanted to go from Freiburg (Germany) to this side of the dense Black Forest.
Precisely, to bridge these distances (and, above all, to ease the incredible slopes) a rail line and a new road were built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To complete that railway line, which the Valley of Hell train passes along, a stone viaduct about 40 meters high was constructed. And beneath it, in the heart of the gorge, every year one of the most striking Christmas markets in Europe is staged.
To enjoy a few hours among crafts, German gastronomy and the unique setting formed by fir trees and the arches of the Ravennaschlucht viaduct, it is worth noting this: although the market runs from November 26 to December 20, ticket pre-sale begins today, October 14, at 10:00 a.m.
The organization confirms it on its official website and warns against buying tickets from private individuals, as they may be invalid copies in the admission system. We explain how to get there and what you need to know to plan your visit.
How to reach the Ravennaschlucht Christmas Market
The Ravennaschlucht gorge is located in Höllental and is one of the most impressive valleys in the Black Forest. It stretches between Hinterzarten and Buchenbach-Himmelreich and sits about 18 kilometers southeast of Freiburg. The valley, in parts quite narrow, measures almost nine kilometers in length. In many places it is surrounded by rock walls up to 600 meters high, which lends it its extraordinary charm.
The “Val d’enfer” or Valley of Hell is no longer anything hellish, but it owes its name to the French soldiers who had to overcome several obstacles when crossing it.
