Zell am Harmersbach

Infobox German Location
Art = Stadt
Wappen = Wappen Zell am Harmersbach.pnglat_deg = 48 |lat_min = 20 |lat_sec = 48
lon_deg = 8 |lon_min = 3 |lon_sec = 50
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Baden-Württemberg
Regierungsbezirk = Freiburg
Landkreis = Ortenaukreis
Höhe = 223
Fläche = 36.43
Einwohner = 7988
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 77736
Vorwahl = 07835
Kfz = OG
Gemeindeschlüssel = 08 3 17 146
Adresse = Hauptstraße 19
77736 Zell
Website = [http://www.zell.de www.zell.de]
Bürgermeister = Hans-Martin MollInfobox Former Country
native_name = "Reichsstadt Zell am Harmersbach"
conventional_long_name = Imperial City of Zell am Harmersbach
common_name = Zell
continent = Europe
region = Central Europe
country = Germany
era = Middle Ages
status = City-state
empire = Holy Roman Empire
government_type = Republic
year_start = 1218
year_end = 1803
event_pre = Founded
date_pre = before 1139
event_start = Gained "Reichsfreiheit"
date_start =
event_end = Mediatised to Baden
date_end = 1803
p1 = House of Zähringen
image_p1 =
s1 = Margraviate of Baden
image_s1 =
capital = Zell am Harmersbach

Zell am Harmersbach is a small historic city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It lies in the Ortenaukreis, between the Black Forest and the Rhine.

History

Zell was founded by the Imperial abbey of Gengenbach. Records date back to 1139. Having belonged to the masters of Geroldseck and the Diocese of Strasbourg, in 1334 Zell became part of the district of Baden. Subsequently it fell to the house of Zähringen and, after that line's extinction, the city fell to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.

Under Rudolph I, the city gained "Reichsunmittelbarkeit", becoming the smallest Free Imperial City in the Empire. Despite repeated attempts at annexation by the Austrian Ortenau family, the city retained its independence until its secularisation in 1803, when it was given to Baden as it gained electoral dignity; Baden was raised from a margraviate to a grand duchy three years later.

Geography

Zell is located at the end of the Harmersbachtal (Harmersbach Valley), a tributary valley of the Kinzig. Zell was the smallest Free City in the Holy Roman Empire.

City districts

Along with Zell, the districts of Unterharmersbach, Unterentersbach und Oberentersbach are incorporated into the city.

; Oberentersbach : The first documented mention of Oberentersbach dates to 1111. It was administered from Zell until 1803, and afterward formed a borough together with Unterentersbach. This union was dissolved in 1851.; Unterentersbach : The first documented mention of Unterentersbach dates to 1075. In around 1700, it came under the control of the Lords of Mayershofen.; Unterharmersbach : The first documented mention of Unterharmersbach dates to 1139. In 1200 was taken over by the Bamberg Diocese. By way of the dukes of Zähringen, the Earls of Fürstenberg, and the Lords of Geroldseck, Unterharmersbach came under the control of the Strasbourg Diocese.

The city is bordered on the north by Nordrach, on the northeast by Oberharmersbach, on the southeast by Fischerbach, on the south by the city of Haslach, in the southwest by Steinach, on the west by Biberach, and on the northwest by the city of Gengenbach.

Incorporations

* 1974: Oberentersbach
* 1975: Unterentersbach, Unterharmersbach

Political Administration

The city is the seat of the arranged administration partnership with the communities of Biberach, Nordrach and Oberharmersbach.

Local Election Results

The local council elections on the 13 June 2004 had the following result:

1. CDU 37.8% (+0,7) - 7 seats (-2)

2. FWV 31.6% (-0,8) - 6 seats (-2)

3. SPD 18.9% (-2,1) - 3 seats (-2)

4. GLZ 11.7% (+2,2) - 2 seats (=)

Coat of Arms

Zell's coat of arms, a black eagle on gold, is the crest of the Holy Roman Empire and symbolizes Zell's history as an imperial city.

ister Cities

Zell am Harmersbach has two sister cities:

* Baume-Les-Dames, in the Franche-Comté region of France, since 1990 and
* Frauenstein, in the Ore Mountains in Saxony, since 1991.

The district of Unterharmersbach has maintained a partnership with the Swiss community of Tuggen since 2000.

Culture and Attractions

Zell lies on the Kinzigtäler Jakobusweg and on the Großen Hansjakobweg routes, both of which pass many sites of interest.

Museums

* Heimatmuseum Fürstenberger Hof (Fürstenberger Farm Museum)
* Villa Haiss, museum for contemporary art
* Storchenturm (stork tower) museum

Economy and Infrastructure

Zell is the birthplace of the famous "Hahn und Henne" (Rooster and Hens) pottery factory.

Transportation

Zell am Harmersbach lies on the Harmersbachtalbahn, a branch line of the Black Forest Railway, which runs from Biberach to Oberharmersbach. Public transport is provided for by the Ortenau transit network.

Education

At Ritter von Buß Educational Center, there is a primary school, a secondary school and technical school. An additional primary school is located in Unterharmersbach. There is also a special educational school in Kernstadt. There are four kindergartens in the area.

Famous Citizens

* 31 January 1780 - 13 April 1845 Ignaz Blasius Bruder, German musical instrument manufacturer and organ builder
* 23 March 1803 - 31 January 1878 Franz Josef Ritter von Buß, German politician (German Centre Party) and preacher
* 10 February 1958, Thomas Ruff, German photographer

Other people with connections to the city:

* From 1945 to 1952, the German scientist Karl Hasel was responsible for the administration of Zell am Harmersbach.

External links

* Website of the city of Zell am Harmersbach [http://www.zell.de www.zell.de]
* Links on the subject of Zell am Harmersbach in the Open Directory [http://www.dmoz.org/World/Deutsch/Regional/Europa/Deutschland/Baden-W%c3%bcrttemberg/Landkreise/Ortenaukreis/St%c3%a4dte_und_Gemeinden/Zell_am_Harmersbach/]

References

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