Villingen-Schwenningen: On the way to becoming a watch culture metropolis in 2025!

Villingen-Schwenningen: On the way to becoming a watch culture metropolis in 2025!

Villingen-Schwenningen, a city in the Black Forest with 89,756 inhabitants, is facing a cultural transformation. By 2025 it could develop into Germany's most fascinating watch culture metropolis. This development not only brings to light historical roots, but also modern perspectives and events for citizens and visitors.

The city has made a name for itself as the world's largest watchmaking center. The history of watchmaking comes to life in the watch industry museum, which opened in the rooms of the former Württemberg watch factory Bürk in the Schwenningen district. Founded in 1994, the museum not only shows the craftsmanship of watchmakers, but also how alarm clocks are made using old, restored machines from the 1920s. These demonstrations are intended to illustrate the living conditions of the people in the watch industry, which shaped the economic basis of Schwenningen.

Cultural events in autumn

Some cultural highlights are planned for the coming months. The pumpkin festival in Schwenningen takes place from September 26th to 28th. The Night of Lights in Villingen on November 7th and the season opening of the municipal theaters on October 9th also promise to enrich the city's cultural life.

The Schwenninger Moos, a nature reserve and the source of the Neckar, will also provide a picturesque sight with impressive colors in autumn.

Tradition meets modernity

Villingen-Schwenningen combines Baden and Swabian culture, which is expressed in a fascinating mix of architecture, customs and dialects. While the old town of Villingen impresses with its almost intact city wall and picturesque half-timbered houses, Schwenningen presents itself as modern and urban.

Forecasts suggest the population could grow by almost 10% by 2040, which could create challenges in affordable housing. Despite these challenges, the city positions itself as a modern medium-sized city that combines tradition and progress.

The commitment to preserving the heritage of the watch industry is also evident in the Watch Industry Museum. The museum, which also exhibits operational machines, was set up in response to the increasing bankruptcies in watch production since 1989. It received the Luigi Micheletti Award in 2003 as the best technical museum in Europe, underlining the importance of the location.

So Villingen-Schwenningen not only seems to be preserving its historical character, but also has a promising future full of cultural activities and developments ahead of it. With this in mind, the city is optimistic about the upcoming year 2025, when it can once again demonstrate its importance in the watch industry.

The watch industry museum is located in the Bürkstrasse 39, Schwenningen.

Further information about Villingen-Schwenningen can be found at journee-mondiale.com.