Willmenrod

Infobox Ort in Deutschland
image_photo =
Wappen = WappenWillmenrod.jpeg
lat_deg = 50 |lat_min = 32 |lat_sec = 29
lon_deg = 7 |lon_min = 58 |lon_sec = 53
Lageplan = Willmenrod im Westerwaldkreis.pngBundesland = Rheinland-Pfalz
Landkreis = Westerwaldkreis
Verbandsgemeinde = Westerburg
Höhe = 305
Fläche = 3.63
Einwohner = 673
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 56459
PLZ-alt = 5439
Vorwahl = 02663
Kfz = WW
Gemeindeschlüssel = 07 1 43 312
Adresse-Verband = Neumarkt 1
56457 Westerburg
Website = [http://www.willmenrod.de/ www.willmenrod.de]
Bürgermeister = Jürgen Hof

Willmenrod is an "Ortsgemeinde" – a community belonging to a "Verbandsgemeinde" – in the Westerwaldkreis in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Geography

Location

Willmenrod lies in the valley of the Elbach between the 475-m-high Watzenhahn and the Stromberg in the middle of the Westerwald.

Geology

The landscape is characterized by basalt and clay deposits. Until after the war, basalt was still being quarried in Willmenrod and broken up into chips and crushed stone in the community. One hundred and twenty hectares of the municipal area is wooded.

Neighbouring communities

Willmenrod borders in the north on Sainscheid and Westerburg, in the east on Wengenroth and Berzhahn, in the south on Girkenroth and Dorndorf and in the west on Weltersburg and Guckheim.

Climate

Despite the claim to the contrary in the folksong "Oh du schöner Westerwald", the wind does not whistle quite so cold. Rather, a moderate climate holds sway here. In winter, the snow is limited, in summer, it is only seldom unbearably hot and when there is stormy weather, the two mountain ridges keep the wind off the community’s location.

History

In 1212, Willmenrod had its first documentary mention as "Wernbolderode". Since 1712 it has borne its current name.

In 1805, almost the whole village was burnt down in a great fire. Owing to the thatched roofs and tight rows of houses that prevailed then, such a catastrophe was very nearly inevitable.

Owing to the community’s location on the Elbbach, which afforded a great deal of waterpower, it was possible to run five mills here.

Religion

Willmenrod is overwhelmingly Evangelical.

Population development

For a few years, the population figure has been swinging between 650 and 700.

Politics

Community council

The council is made up of 13 council members, including the extraofficial mayor ("Bürgermeister"), who were elected in a majority vote in a municipal election on 13 June 2004.

Coat of arms

The waterwheel in community’s arms stands for the five mills which were formerly of great importance. The lozenges stand for the lesser noble house of Willmenrod. The blue wavy fess stands for the Elbbach’s special importance. The various tinctures stand for the community’s changing overlords.

Culture and sightseeing

Clubs

Willmenrod has a fire brigade, a sport club, a fruit-growing and gardening club and a mixed choir.

Famous people

Sons and daughters of the town

The best known Willmenroder was the television cook Clemens Wilmenrod, who took his stage name from the community’s name, and who is buried in the graveyard here.

External links

* Gudrun Fünter: [http://www.swr.de/hierzuland-rp/archiv/2002/11/18/ "Willmenrod - Ein Ortsporträt"] de icon