Bürgerwehr-Sommerfest and Tag der Heimat Zell am Harmersbach

Swabian-Baden Bürgerwehr Tradition at the Storchenturm

On Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026, the Freiwillige Bürgerwehr Zell am Harmersbach invites you to the annual Bürgerwehr-Sommerfest with Tag der Heimat. The festive setting – the Kanzleiplatz next to the medieval Storchenturm in the historic old town of Zell – is one of the most beautiful festival locations in the central Black Forest. The festival traditionally takes place on the third-to-last weekend in July, well before the summer holidays.

Saturday: Entry of the Bürgerwehr in Uniform

Saturday evening begins around 6 PM with the entry of the Bürgerwehr in historical uniform. The members of the Bürgerwehr – Zell has a long tradition as a Free Imperial City, which it upholds by wearing the uniform – gather in front of the Storchenturm and march onto the Kanzleiplatz with a music band and flags. Afterwards, the Bürgerwehr and the music band open the festival with a joint serenade. The dance band takes over for the rest of the evening until 1 AM – the Sommerfest only ends late at night.

Sunday: Tag der Heimat

Sunday is dedicated to the Tag der Heimat – a classic Black Forest Heimatfest with a ceremony, Frühschoppen, and catering. From 10:30 AM, the ceremony begins on the Kanzleiplatz: welcome by the Bürgerwehr captain and the mayor, speeches, musical contributions by the Musikkapelle Zell, and possibly awards for deserving members. Afterwards, Frühschoppen and catering – Black Forest specialties such as Schäufele, potato salad, Bibeleskäs, Brägele, and of course Baden wines.

The Freiwillige Bürgerwehr Zell – Historical Free Imperial City Tradition

The Freiwillige Bürgerwehr Zell am Harmersbach dates back to Zell's Free Imperial City tradition. Zell am Harmersbach was a Free Imperial City from 1366 to 1803 – a status the town proudly maintains to this day. The Bürgerwehr, in historical uniform with halberds and drums, represents this tradition at festivals and events. It no longer has a military function but is a traditionalist club that hosts its most important public event with the annual Sommerfest.

Zell am Harmersbach – Historic Black Forest Town

Zell am Harmersbach, with around 8,200 inhabitants, is a town in the Ortenau district, located in the central Black Forest on the Harmersbach river. It is known primarily for its ceramics industry (Zeller Keramik with the famous "Rooster and Hen" decor) and for its excellently preserved old town with the Storchenturm, town hall, and patrician houses. The former Free Imperial City privilege, visible in the Storchenturm (which was part of the town's fortifications), shapes the self-image of the small town to this day – and gives the Bürgerwehr-Sommerfest its special significance.