[citation needed] It is noted in history and culture for its association with Faust who, according to one source,[3] died in or near Staufen around 1540.

North of the valley exit, the steeply rising old castle ruins dominates; to the southwest begins the hilly landscape of the Markgräflerland.

Staufen lies on the border between two natural and economic areas: the Rhine plain up to the piedmont with its cultivation of grain, vineyards and vegetables; and the Black Forest, with its cattle and wood, and, until the 19th century, silver mines.

[citation needed] Since 2008, the centre of the city has reported to have risen some 12 centimetres (4.7 in),[5] after initially sinking a few millimeters.

The cause for this geological change has been identified as a drilling operation conducted in the summer and autumn of 2007 to provide geothermal heating to the city hall.