the foothills [Lore] Hoofenheim

[Bellosh]

Hoofenheim - Only 20% Yodel Free

 

At the eastern edge of Equestria, Hoofenheim stands as one shining example of the peculiar towns readily found away from the heartland. Aside from acting as a gateway to the northern Eponnine Mountain region, the town heavily promotes itself as center of a culture not found anywhere else in Equestria. Provided somepony can become accustomed to the sound of never-ending polka music, they’ll feel right at home in Hoofenheim.

 

Despite what the winding cobblestone streets, densely packed buildings of half-timbered construction, and quaint outlying farms would suggest, Hoofenheim is in reality a fairly recent settlement. When the mountains of the Solstice Heights ran out of minable minerals, miners looked towards the Eponnine range to the east for new underground deposits. For mines on the eastern face of the Eponnines, they required ports to facilitate the transport of raw materials and goods to and from the Equestrian Heartland. For that purpose, Hoofenheim was one of such ports founded within the last two-hundred years.

 

It didn’t take long for local businesses to exploit Hoofenheim’s proximity to the mines, with many jewelers and metal-workers setting up shop in ton. Purchasing gems and iron mined out from the mountains to the west, these craftsponies toil day and night to produce some of Equestria’s finest-quality tools, gemstones, and fashionable trinkets. Many ponies are willing to make the long voyage to Hoofenheim either to purchasing these astonishing items from the crafters themselves or to learn under their tutelage as apprentices.

 

Hoofenheim today still serves its initial purposes, but it also turned out that hard-working miners really needed a place to wind down too. Whether it be outdoor dancing, apple strudel, or the annual Fall Fair, the cozy town has a certain well-deserved reputation as a hotspot of festiveness. And of course, no stay in Hoofenheim is complete without sampling drinks from one of the numerous world-famous beverage halls around the town.

~Hitchhiker's Guide to Equestria