With all of the Fasching festivals happening in Germany, it can be hard to pick what to do next!
We created a map with pushpins for all of our go-see-do’s and overlaid it with all of the event locations, and Donaueschingen in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) was the winner for this weekend.
The town is pretty small, but there are a few must sees like the Donauquelle, and proximity to Baden-Wurttemberg’s high point Mt Feldberg, definitely worth making the weekend run.
The parade itself is pretty small, best bet is to skip it and get a spot along the edge of the bonfire early. The fireworks and bonfire was pretty amazing to see, with the witches leaping through the bonfire over and over.
A few after-party adult beverages at the Hotel Lindau with our friends Bruce and Kyoko, and off to snowshoe Mt Feldberg tomorrow!
Start The Parade
The sheep-things start the parade up
Horse Parking
My house has a three-horse garage!
You’re A Fool
Narro literally means "you’re a fool". Part of the Fasching tradition where the parade participants yell "Narri" (Im a fool) and the crowd yells back "Narro"! Silly, but fun.
In The Heavens
The city church of St John, certainly the most ornate building in town.
Contemplating the Source
Colette stares into the Donauquelle, the source of the Danube River.
Fun. Colors.
A fun, colorful building in downtown Donaueschingen. By the "AD 1910" painting at the top of the eaves, it’s a pretty new building around these parts.
The Rathaus
Donaueschingen’s central plaza
Local Artist
One of the sculptures in the Musikantenbrunnen sculpture in front of the rathaus. Complete with moving parts and hand-engraved sheet music!
Fire in the Eyes
This was the first time we saw witches with glowing eyes.
The Nose
If Pinnochio was a witch…
Music Man
This fellow is sized appropriately for his instrument. You never see Twiggy carrying a tuba!
Celebration
Start the witch burning with some fireworks!
Witch Burning
A huge crowd gathered for the witch burning.
Humans and Fire
Interesting how we as a species have such a fascination with fire.
The Pyre
The fire dances high above the spectators
