Hotel History

From the “Cry for Help” (Notschrei) to the “Shout for Joy” (Jubelruf)!

Hofsgrund, Stübenwasen, Schwarzwaldklinik

“Notschrei“ (Cry for help) – quite a strange name for a pass. Contrary to initial association, the story of its origin makes it clear that the name means much more a joyful event and an answered prayer than a tragedy.

With the growing industrial development in the Wiesental during the 19th century, the cry for a road between Todtnau and Freiburg grew louder.

The inscription on a memorial found on the pass provides information on the happenings of the time: “After 30 years of unsuccessful requests of the high government and all parliaments for this road, finally, after a successful cry for help from the community in the hunger-stricken year of 1847, their dire need thereby remedied, the Grand Duke carried out the road’s construction.”

This was how, in 1848, the pass was named.

Let’s take a look back at a long-standing tradition in hospitality. In 1900, the Asal family from Todtnau began building a hotel in a secluded location modeled after Swiss mountain pass hotels.

At this time, it was a courageous venture and a pioneer effort for regional tourism. In 1906, the Kurhotel Waldheim was opened, featuring 30 rooms. Constant optimization followed. You can read about these changes in our anniversary chronicle.

A tough break for the Black Forest tradition house was the hotel fire in December of 1995. The modern, newer development of roof construction was chosen after the model of Swiss passroad hotels in the formative years. A successful combination of modern comfort and traditional Black Forest coziness emerged.