Here's why we can infer this:
* Modern technology: The characters use modern technology like cars, televisions, and cell phones.
* Modern social structure: The story reflects contemporary social structures like the presence of schools and a functioning government.
* No specific historical markers: There are no references to specific historical events or technologies that would pin down a particular time period.
However, the author, Cornelia Funke, has stated that the story is set in a fictionalized version of Germany, which adds a European flavor to the setting.