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Background Notes Villingen, Germany Nestling peacefully at the eastern end of the Black Forest, Villingen is ideally located on both banks of the Brigach, a tributary of the Danube. Villingen is itself a finely-preserved example of a 12th century township, unable to disguise its long association with the former Austro-Hungarian dynasty, which, at the height of its power, once ruled over a vast area of central Europe. Most of the old fortress battlements, towers, keeps and gates are still in excellent states of preservation and still bear witness to Villingen's unbroken 500-year role as the western outpost of the mighty Austrian Empire which came into power in the 14th century. During its chequered history Villingen has been stormed and beleaguered time and time again, but never has it been captured. Most of medieval Villingen and it's almost one thousand years of history, has been preserved and cherished into the present. From an architectural point of view the 12th century Munster of Our Lady in Villingen is very oddly designed, to put it mildly; its two completely different spires dominate the town from all sides. Within the city wall the early-Romance tower of the old parish church and the façade of the 14th century church of the Knights of the Order of St. John are both quite unique pieces of architecture. The 15th century church tower in neighboring Schwenningen shows the town's close links with the past. The church, together with three neighboring dwellings, was the sole survivor of the bloody 30 years war. Both the Baroque and the following neo-classic eras have left their traces on the twin towns. And unbelievable as it may seem, there is still evidence to be seen of early settlers who lived in the immediate area in the pre-Christian era from 800 to 500 B.C.