Heidenheim an der Brenz

Infobox German Location
Art = Stadt
Wappen = Heidekopf Heidenheim Wappen.gif
image_photo = BlicküberHeidenheim2.jpg
imagesize = 300px
image_caption =
lat_deg = 48 |lat_min = 40 |lat_sec = 34
lon_deg = 10 |lon_min = 09 |lon_sec = 16
Lageplan = Heidenheim-1902.jpg
Bundesland = Baden-Württemberg
Regierungsbezirk = Stuttgart
Landkreis = Heidenheim
Höhe = 504
Fläche = 107.10
Einwohner = 49092
Stand = 2007-09-30
PLZ = 89501–89522
PLZ-alt = 7920
Vorwahl = 07321
Kfz = HDH
Gemeindeschlüssel = 08 1 35 019
Adresse = Grabenstraße 15
89522 Heidenheim
Website = [http://www.heidenheim.de/ www.heidenheim.de]
Bürgermeister = Bernhard Ilg
Bürgermeistertitel = Oberbürgermeister
Partei = CDU

Heidenheim an der Brenz (short: Heidenheim) is a city in eastern Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on Baden-Württemberg's border with Bavaria, approximately 17 km south of Aalen and 33 km north of Ulm. Heidenheim is the largest city, the seat of Heidenheim County, and ranks third behind Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd in size among the cities in the region of East Württemberg. Heidenheim is the economic center for all the communities in Heidenheim County and is the headquarters of the Voith industrial company. The city's population passed the 20,000 mark in 1925. Heidenheim collaborates with the town of Nattheim in administrative matters.

The residents of Heidenheim and its surrounding area speak in the distinct German dialect of Swabian.

Geography

Heidenheim is situated between Albuch and the Härtsfeld region in the northeast corner of the Swabian Alb where the valley of the Brenz meets the Stubental at the foot of Hellenstein Mountain. The source of the Brenz is located in Königsbronn and enters Heidenheim from the northwest. It runs through the boroughs of Aufhausen and Schnaitheim before it gets to Heidenheim (proper). From there it continues on to the south through the borough of Mergelstetten, before it leave the city limits to head for Herbrechtingen.

Neighboring communities

Heidenheim shares borders with the following cities and towns, listed clockwise starting from the North: Aalen and Neresheim (both in Ostalb County, Nattheim (Heidenheim County), Syrgenstein (Dillingen County, Bavaria), as well as Herbrechtingen, Steinheim am Albuch and Königsbronn (all in Heidenheim County).

Boroughs

Heidenheim an der Brenz consists of Heidenheim (proper) and the boroughs of Schnaitheim, Mergelstetten, Oggenhausen and Großkuchen (annexed between 1910 and 1974). Each of the four boroughs include additional, geographically distinct settlements or neighborhoods that either have a long history of their own or were created as new developments. The latter can also be found in Heidenheim (proper). But while these neighborhoods received their names during construction, their areal limits have not been officially defined. Examples are Reute, Heckental and Galgenberg in Heidenheim (proper), the settlements of Kleinkuchen, Nietheim and Rotensohl in Großkuchen, the Heuhof in Oggenhausen, and Aufhausen in Schnaitheim.

Oggenhausen and Großkuchen became part of Heidenheim during Baden-Württemberg's last district reform in the 1970s and are also communities under state administrative law. This designation entitles them to a borough council, elected by registered voters in municipal elections. The Borough Council is headed up by the Borough President.

chnaitheim

Schnaitheim is the largest borough of Heidenheim outside of Heidenheim (proper) and its shopping and commercial districts are an important part of the city's infrastructure.

Wehrenfeld

Wehrenfeld is a neighborhood located just West of the center of Schnaitheim and consists largely of villas and mansions belonging to Heidenheim's entrepreneurs and business people. It is situated on top of the "Moldenberg" and many of its homes enjoy beautiful views.

The "Moldenberg" also sports a large recreational area with numerous athletic attractions. In addition to offering tennis courts and soccer fields, Wehrenfeld's Moldenburg is also home of the Sportclub Schnaitheim (TSG Schnaitheim).

Hagen

As Schnaitheim is virtually split in half by the train tracks, residents like to refer to Hagen as "dark Hagen" since it is located at the base of a mountain, and thus gets relatively little sunlight while the other side of the tracks enjoys sunshine all day long. For the most part, residents of Hagen are members of the middle class or retired, with the latter making up a relatively large number.

Right on the "Hagenberg" among the meadows, fields, and forest, is located an inactive quarry. This is where skiers find the longest cross-country skiing trails in the greater Heidenheim area. In addition, part-time lugers and snow-tubers have ample opportunity to practice their sport.

History

The city and boroughs

There is evidence that human life existed within the city limits of Heideheim as far back as 8,000 years ago. However, a permanent settlement was not established until approximately 1300 BC. Extensive ruins remain of settlements dating, predominantly, to the period from 1200 to 800 BC.

At the time of the Roman Empire from about 85 AD on, Heidenheim was the location of Castle "Aquileia" with attached cavalry of more than 1,000 mounted solders. The unit, called "ala II flavia milliaria" was later, around 159 AD, moved further North to Aalen. At first, the Castle marked the Eastern end of the Alblimes. But it didn't take long until a civilian settlement was founded at this strategically important spot, marked by the intersection of five Roman roads. This settlement was the largest Roman city in, what is today, Baden-Württemberg and archeological finds suggest that it covered an area of approximately 37 - 50 acres (15 - 20 hectares). More recently, excavations have found the remains of a representative Roman administrative building. Its exact function is not yet fully known (as of May 2005). But because of "Aquileia"'s size, location and other indicators, it is believed that it probably was the capital of a Roman administrative district (see also Civitas). From 233 on, the Alamanni repeatedly attacked the Roman limes fortifications. The Roman surrender of the limes in 260 spelled the end of the Roman city of Heidenheim. It is not clear to what extent Romans stayed on under the new, Alammanic rule but it is very likely that some did.

Nothing is known about Aquileia/Heidenheim during the period of the Great Migration. However, already in the 8th century Heidenheim was mentioned (again) for the first time in official documents. The creation of the city in the Middle Ages went hand in hand with the construction of Hellenstein Castle. The city wall was built in segments in 1190 and 1420 and Emperor Charles IV granted or confirmed the city as a market town in 1356. Through the rule of the von Helfenstein family, the city became part of the Grand Duchy of Württemberg in 1448 and from 1462 to 1504 it temporarily belonged to Bavaria. Later yet, and for a short time only, the city belonged to Ulm. During Württemberg times, it was always the seat of an administrative unit. This unit was incontiguous of the Grand Duchy until 1803 when Württemberg's territorial gains connected the city with the main part of the Duchy's territory. In 1807 Heidenheim was promoted to district status and then again to County status in 1938. The district reform in the 1970s did not change the county limits by much.

The economic development of the village and city is founded mainly on the area's ore deposits that were already being harvested in Roman times. However, the importance of this branch of the city's economy vanished near the turn of the 19th century due to great competition first from Wasseralfingen and later from the Rhineland.

Heidenheim played an important part also in the textile industry. Flax grown in the Eastern Swabian Alb was used to manufacture linen. The business grew into an industry at the dawn of the 19th century with the help of cotton imports but declined after World War II due to international competition. During the war, a subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp was located here. It provided slave labour to local industry. [www.glosk.com/GM/Linde/17283/pages/List_of_subcamps_of_Dachau/84737_en.htm]

After World War II was over in 1945, a displaced persons camp was outfitted in the city to help relocate Jewish displaced persons. The camp, housing at times up to 2,300 individuals, was dissolved in August 1949.

Mergelstetten was first mentioned in an official document by Bishop Walter von Augsburg in 1143 in which he confirmed that the nearby Cloister of Anhausen owned a mill, a fish pond and a farm. However, it is estimated that the first settlement was founded in the 7th or 8th century by the Alamanni. Other important dates for the local economy are 1828 when Jakob Zoeppritz from Darmstadt founded a woolen blanket factory and 1901 when Carl Schwenk of Ulm built the concrete factory.

Religion

Heidenheim's residents originally belonged to the Diocese of Augsburg from where they were assigned to the Heidenheim Chapter. But already in 1524 the Reformation burst into the city via Ulm. As at the time Heidenheim was part of Württemberg and Duke Ulrich championed the Reformation (from 1535 on), residents of city have adhered over the centuries primarily to the Protestant faith. In those days, Heidenheim became seat of a Deacony, it's church being the Paul's Church of today (built in 1897). But Heidenheim's first parish church was Peter's Church at the top of the Totenberg. Originally a Roman church, it was remodeled several times and now serves as the chapel for the cemetery. During the 16th century Michael's Church became the seat of the Heidenheim parish. This church was built ca. 1200, completely rebuilt in 1578 and expanded in 1621. The tower was erected in 1687, and the addition was added on to again in 1767. With the construction of Paul's Church the seat of the deacony moved there, however, Michael's Church remains a church of Paul's Parish to this day. In the meantime, Heidenheim's population kept growing and during the 20th century several additional parishes were founded: Christ Parish was founded in 1958 (its church built in 1956), John's Parish with church and community center in 1963, Forestchurch Parish in 1972 (its church was built in 1975 but the community had had the use of a wooden chapel built in 1926), plus Reconciliation Parish and Zinzendorf Parish. These six parishes located in Heidenheim (proper) form the Protestant United Parish of Heidenheim. As they belonged to Württemberg as well, the boroughs of Mergelstetten and Schnaitheim also converted to Protestantism early on. As a result, independent Protestant parishes and churches exist in both boroughs. Mergelstetten was at first a branch of Bolheim, but became its own parish in 1700. Today's church was built in 1843 to replace one that had burnt to the ground two years earlier. The church of Schnaitheim had been newly constructed in the 17th century, although the town already owned a church (first mentioned in 1344). Oggenhausen at first belonged to the parish of Zöschingen and remained Catholic. But during the 17th century here too Protestantism won out. Later the town became part of the parish in Nattheim until it became a parish of its own in 1834. The village church was built in 1702 to replace an earlier chapel. Großkuchen remained Catholic because ecumenically it belonged to Öttingen and because the Benedictine Abbey at Neresheim owned the right to use the village church. The few Protestants who by now have moved in are attached to the parish in Schnaitheim. All Protestant parishes within city limits belong to the Deanony of Heidenheim within the Protestant State Church of Württemberg. Finally, pietist parishes are also represented in Heidenheim.

Catholics only reemerged in Heidenheim during the 19th century. In 1882 they got their own church when the Church of St. Mary was built. The corresponding parish was founded in 1886. A second church, Trinity Church, was built in 1961 and became a parish in 1962. Mergelstetten got Christking Church in 1957 which was later elevated to a parish in 1961. These three parishes form what is today Ministry 3 of the Deacony Heidenheim within the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. In Schnaitheim, St. Boniface Church was built in 1951 (parish in 1961). The Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Großkuchen had been built back in 1736 on the foundation of an older church. Part of the parish is also Kleinkuchen but it has its own church of Saint Ulrich (built in 1517 and then rebuilt in 1746). Both parishes (St Boniface and St. Peter and Paul) together with the neighboring parish of Mary's Ascension in Königsbronn form the Ministry 2. Catholics from Oggenhausen belong to the Holy Heart of Jesus parish in Nattheim (Ministry 1), also part of the Deacony of Heidenheim.

In addition to the two larger denominations, residents have the choice of independent churches and parishes such as the Methodist Church, The Evangelical Immanuel Parish, the Evangelical Chrischona-Community and others. The New Apostolic Church and The Christian Community are also represented in Heidenheim.

District reform

Baden-Württemberg's district reform in the 1970s only made minor changes to Heidenheim and created today's city limits.

Demographics

data (¹), or official extensions thereof, counting only primary residences.

valign="top"

Mayor

In the age when Heidenheim an der Brenz belonged to Württemberg a noble advocate presided over the court and the city. Somewhat later, a head-advocate and then an Executor of the Duke lead the court. From 1802 on there were two mayors and a 12 councilmen. In 1819 the City Executor stood at the helm of the city assisted by a city council starting in 1822. Since 1907 the city's leaders have been known by the title of Mayor. Today's mayors are elected to office by direct vote of registered voters for a term of 8 years. The mayor serves also as City Council President and his permanent Deputy is the First Councilperson.

Mayors of Heidenheim an der Brenz since 1819

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the city of Heidenheim an der Brenz features a bearded, naturalist looking "heathen" wearing a red cap with a blue rim and a red shirt with a blue collar on golden background. The city colors are red and blue.

Already in the 15th century the earliest known seal of the city displayed the canting heathen (= Heide in German). The colored version has been documented since the 16th century.

People, culture & architecture

Theater

Heidenheim's borough of Schnaitheim is home to the Sasse Theater company.

Museums

The State Museum of Württemberg ("Württembergisches Landesmuseum") operates a branch location in Hellenstein Castle where it placed its Carriage and Chaise Museum. The Museum in the Roman Baths exhibits finds dating back to Roman time. The Art Museum, located in a former Jugendstil bath, organizes traveling exhibits. It also displays in permanent exhibit the world's largest and most complete collection of Picasso posters.

Buildings

Located on top of Hellenstein Mountain and overlooking the city, the most important building and landmark of Heidenheim is Hellenstein Castle.

Notable structures in the inner city are: Protestant Michaels' Church (former parish seat of the city), the "Elmar-Doch-House", the Crown Inn and Pub, the Lower Gate, Villa Waldemaier, the burgher tower "Türmle", the Castle Pharmacy, the weavers' settlement, the Heathland Smithy, the Old Mint and old Peters' Church (today cemetery chapel).

The construction facility for the manufacture of large turbines built for the local Voith company in 1924 is a significant industrial historic landmark.

The little castle in Schnaitheim is situated at the Brenz river's edge and offers a sight to see for visitors and residents alike. The Schnaitheim Mill is located just a few hundred yards away with its large wheel though operation of the mill was halted several years ago.

In Mergelstetten the old church was torn down in 1841 and replaced with a new, Protestant church built in neo-gothic style. The building was commissioned by Carl Alexander Heideloff who also commissioned Lichtenstein Castle. Lumber was used to build parts of the church because the parish was poor at the time. For the same reason the church tower wasn't built as tall as originally planned. Nonetheless, this church is popular and picturesque and frequently used on postcards.

Events

Annually Heidenheim puts on the Opera Festival in Hellenstein Castle. The festival developed out of the former serenades held there. Residents also enjoy the annual theater festival in the outdoor Nature Theater.

Every other year the Shepherd Run takes place in Heidenheim, first held in 1723 by Duke Eberhard Ludwig. It attracts all the shepherds in the area. Part of the Shepherd Run festivities is the crowning of a new shepherd king and queen. The Run was held until 1828. After that followed a long break until 1922 when it was held again (five times until 1952). Since 1972 it is once again an integral part of Heidenheim's regular cultural program.

In 2006 Heidenheim hosted the bi-annual Baden-Württemberg State Botanical Show.

Heidenheim annually hosts a World Cup fencing tournament in épée. Because of the size and depth of the field, the Heidenheim event is considered the strongest épée event in the world, stronger even than the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

Economy and Industry

Industry

In economic terms, Heidenheim's main claim to fame is being the headquarters of Voith, an industrial company specializing in turbines and machinery for the paper-making industry. Voith is Heidenheim's single-largest employer and it employs 7,500 people in and around the town.

In May 2006, the world's first Paper Technology Centre was opened in Heidenheim at the cost of 75 million euros [http://www.voithpaper.de/vp_e_grpdiv_history_today.htm] . Voith bills the centre as "the most important center for paper research in the world"

Transport

. The regional train line is also part of Heidenheim's local public transport system.

Several bus lines also service residents and visitors inside city limits.

that travers the city.

Media

"Heidenheimer Zeitung" and "Heidenheimer Neue Presse" are daily newspapers published in the city. In addition the "New Week" is published weekly (Thursday) as well as the "Sunday Newspaper" (Sunday).

The Southwest German Radio (SWR) operates a relay station for four of its FM stations and the ARD TV station (channel 1). And the Schmittenberg radio tower emits programs for two more radio stations.

Famous people

Recipients of the Key to the city

The city of Heidenheim an der Brenz has granted honorary citizen privileges to the following individuals:

*1907: Josef Weiss
*1908: Dr. Ing h.c. Friedrich von Voith
*1915: Hermann Poppe
*1919: Friedrich Pfenning
*1922: Prof. Eugen Gaus
*1928: Eugen Jaeckle
*1955: Dr. Ing E.h. Dr. rer.pol. h.c. Hanns Voith
*1967: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Kurt Bittel
*1983: Prof. Dr.rer.soc. h.c. Hugo Rupf, Senator
*1984: Eugen Loderer, former president of the union IG Metall
*1993: Martin Hornung

ons and daughters of Heidenheim

*1371: March 4, Humbert Grobherz, pilot of the Klaus Störtebeker, † October 20, 1401 (decapitated)
*1863: September 29, Alfred Meebold, † January 6, 1952, botanist, writer, and anthroposophist
*1885: April 26, Hanns Voith, † January 7, 1971, entrepreneur
*1891: November 15, Erwin Rommel, † October 14, 1944, Generalfeldmarschall, co-conspirator of the attempt on Hitler's life of July 20, 1944
*1906: December 10, Helmuth Uhrig, † April 8, 1979, sculptor, painter, woodworker, glass blower, outfitter of approximately 100 churches in Germany
*1907: July 5, Kurt Bittel, † January 30, 1991, archeologist and president of the German Institute for Archeology
*1911: April 5, Dieter Oesterlen, † April 6, 1994, architect in Hannover
*1920: May 28, Eugen Loderer, † February 9, 1995, President of the German union IG Metall from 1972 through 1983
*1933: March 5, Walter Kardinal Kasper, Curia Cardinal in Rom und Papal advisor at the Vatican
*1953: September 2, Gerhard Thiele, Astronaut
*1965: July 13, Arnd Schmidt, winner of an Olympic Gold Medal in fencing
*1971: March 15, Ralf Bißdorf, athlete (fencing)

Others

*Friedrich Christoph Oetinger (May 2, 1702 - February 10, 1782), theology scholar and pietist, worked in Heidenheim from 1743 - 1746 .
*Georg Elser (January 4, 1903 - April 9, 1945), resided and worked for several years in Heidenheim. Executed the failed attempt on Adolf Hitler's life in Munich in 1939.
*Helmut Bornefeld (Dezember 14, 1906 - February 11, 1990, church musician, composer, organ specialist, graphic artist and author.
*Michael Rogowski (born March 13, 1939 in Stuttgart), president of BDI from 2001 to 2004

Note: Saint Walpurga (approx. 710 - February 25, 779) lived and worked at the convent of a different town of the same name, Heidenheim in Franconia.

Twin towns

*flagicon|Czech Republic Iglau Language isle (Czech Republic) since 1957
*flagicon|France Clichy (France) since 1958
*flagicon|Austria St. Pölten, (Austria) since 1968
*flagicon|Wales Newport, (Wales), since 1981
*flagicon|Croatia Sisak (Croatia) since 1988
*flagicon|Germany Döbeln, Saxony, (Germany) since 1991
*flagicon|Czech Republic Iglau (Czech Republic) since 2002
*flagicon|United States Cleveland, Ohio (USA)

Associated town:
*flagicon|China Quinjiang (Peoples' Republic of China) since 1994

References

Much of the content of this article comes from the equivalent German-language Wikipedia article and two subarticles (retrieved February 2, 2006). The following references are cited by that German-language article:

*"Württembergisches Städtebuch"; Vol IV Part Baden-Württemberg vol 2 from "Deutsches Städtebuch". Handbuch städtischer Geschichte - Commissioned by the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der historischen Kommissionen" with the support of the "Deutschen Städtetag", the "Deutschen Städtebund" and the "Deutschen Gemeindetag", publisher Erich Keyser, Stuttgart, 1961
*About Aquileia, the Roman Heidenheim:
** G. Balle, "Neues zum Reiterkastell Heidenheim. Archäologische Ausgrabungen in Baden-Württemberg 2000", pp 90-94.
** R. Sölch, "Die Topographie des römischen Heidenheim." History and reports to the pre-historic and the early history of Baden-Württemberg 76, Stuttgart 2001

External links

* [http://www.heidenheim.de/ Website of Heidenheim an der Brenz]
* [http://www.opernfestspiele.de Opera Festival]
* [http://www.naturtheater.de Nature Theater Heidenheim]
* [http://www.sasse-theater.de Sasse-Theater Heidenheim-Schnaitheim]
* [http://www.landesgartenschau-heidenheim.de State Botanical Show Heidenheim 2006]
* [http://www.hdh-info.de Heidenheim Infoportal]
* [http://www.heidenheim-evangelisch.de Protestant Church Heidenheim]
* [http://www.hz-online.de Heidenheimer Zeitung]
* [http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/dp/camp16.htm Displaced Persons Camp Heidenheim]
* [http://www.voith.de Voith]