Bethlehem: A secret in the everyday life of an almost forgotten idyll

Bethlehem: A secret in the everyday life of an almost forgotten idyll

On December 27, 2025, we want to dedicate ourselves to a special place: the hamlet of Bethlehem in Baden-Württemberg. Nestled between Reischach and Gaisweiler, a handful of people live here, surrounded by healing nature. Yes, exactly - only two families live in this quiet spot, which doesn't have much to offer and whose town sign is very popular and occasionally stolen. This is reported by the Schwäbische, among other things, which brings us closer to the history and charm of this small hamlet.

The name Bethlehem has an interesting origin. According to tradition, this dates back to around 1800, when two carpenters from the neighboring community of Wald did woodwork in the forest. One of the carpenters decided to build a house on the edge of the forest to save the long journey. His wife noticed the similarity to biblical Bethlehem, and the carpenters asked the Cistercians of the Wald Monastery for permission to name the hamlet after that historic city. Approval was granted, and so Bethlehem came to occupy a place in people's hearts here too.

A life in harmony with nature

The Stehle family, based in Bethlehem, lives with a constant dialogue with nature. Martha Stehle, the daughter of the Schweikart couple, proudly bears the title of native, while her husband Dieter, who comes from a nearby town, has never regretted moving to Bethlehem. Here they regularly experience encounters with nature, be it through the sight of deer or the play of squirrels. But living in a hamlet also has its challenges: While there has been a telephone line in Bethlehem since 1980 and there is electricity and fresh water, the internet connection remains a slow affair. Fiber optic connections are possible, but the responsibilities between the communities of Reischach and Pfullendorf hardly contribute to the improvement.

Despite these small hurdles, Bethlehem remains a place of solidarity and improvisation, especially at Christmas time. Residents have learned to make do with what they have and make the best of their situation, while appreciating the peace and quiet of living in nature.

The path to digital connection

But it's not just the challenges of daily life that characterize the hamlet. The question of digital connectivity is becoming more and more pressing. Especially at a time when communication and connectivity with the outside world is essential, residents must raise their voices to demand an improvement in internet connectivity. Progress in digitalization sometimes seems unattainable, but the will of local people is strong enough to actively participate in this development.

The connection to the outside world is still there, even if it is often viewed as limited compared to urban living standards. There are hourly bus services providing access to surrounding communities. In this way, Bethlehem remains somewhat apart, but is not completely isolated.

In conclusion, the hamlet of Bethlehem is much more than just a name. It is a retreat for its residents who live in the midst of nature and at the same time accept the challenges of modern life. Here tradition meets the needs of the present while the spirit of community remains strong.