Vogtsbauernhof

From the foundational beams to the shingeled roof, floors and walls are made from wooden boards. Pleasantly tanned by the sun the farms nestle underneath their roofs on the slope. From the slope the elevated entrance leads to the barn. It lies over the pile of hay which is spread all about the stall. This is cleverly and practically done. One saves energy by bringing the feed down to the stall whose ceiling is insulated with hay. People, animals and feed all fit underneath the steep hipped roof. The living rooms have a view to the valley, facing the sun which shines through the windows. That is why so many people from the Black Forest are known as Spiegelhalder.
Life under the old single roofed Black Forest homes was far from luxurious. Only from the wells in front of the farms was it possible to get running water for animals and people, for washing and cooking, and for drinking.
DThe farmers had to work in soot filled kitchens with little light and a lot of smoke. It was clear to see how the smoke would drift through the woodwork without a chimney. It was also not uncommon for the stalls, along with its strong odor, to be situated near the living quarters.

Now only nostalgic memories. Today the farms have been completely modernised, having built in kitchens and modern toilettes. Many even offer the attractive possibility of being rented as a vacation home..
The living room is located in the middle of the house symbolising the center of the family and their farm. With its low wooden ceiling, wood paneled walls, tiled oven - a unique "piece of art", and its stone bank warmly heated by the stove, the living room of the Black Forest farm is even more cozy and delightful today. In the window filled corner, diagonally across from the tiled oven is the place of God, characterized by its religous expression of goodness. Holy pictures hang on the living room walls. In the Black Forest the saints who protect against the danger of fire and animal disease are worshipped above all. For example the holy saint Sebastian, Florian and Agatha. Chapels honoring holy saint Wendelin, the saint of the shepards and animals are very common. Other chapels honoring saint Antonius the saint of pigs also known as "Sautoni" are abundant in this area. One can see how the people of the Black Forest are religous without being overly pious.

The youngest became the entire farm and money was divided and shared among the siblings who were also given the right to stay on the farms as servants. The parents could then grow old gracefully. The economy, landscape form, inheritence and growing structures all maintained the typical Black Forest farms, the independant farms with straw holdings and the valley inhabitants. The names of the farms can be traced back to the 1800's even if the owners of the farms have changed since then.
Each farm has its own individuality. Even the forest farmers possess their own unique originality and obstinacy. The shape of the farms vary from region to region. One can take a look at all the differents types of farms inside and out at the open air museum in Vogtsbauernhof in Gutach...