Zell am Harmersbach explained

Type:City
Image Coa:DEU Zell am Harmersbach COA.svg
Coordinates:48.3467°N 8.0639°W
Image Plan:Zell am Harmersbach in OG.svg
State:Baden-Württemberg
Region:Freiburg
District:Ortenaukreis
Elevation:223
Area:36.43
Postal Code:77736
Area Code:07835
Licence:OG, BH, KEL, LR, WOL
Gemeindeschlüssel:08 3 17 146
Website:www.zell.de
Mayor:Günter Pfundstein[1]
Leader Term:2023 - 31

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

History

Native Name:Reichsstadt Zell am Harmersbach
Conventional Long Name:Imperial City of Zell am Harmersbach
Common Name:Zell
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
Event End:Mediatised to Baden
Date End:1803
P1:House of Zähringen
Flag P1:Wappen Zaehringer.png
S1:Margraviate of Baden
Flag S1:Coat of arms of Baden.svg
Capital:Zell am Harmersbach
Common Languages:Low Alemannic

Zell was settled on territory owned by Gengenbach Abbey. The monastery was founded by the Lords of Geroldseck, to whose sovereign lands belonged much of the modern Ortenau district. The monastery was consecrated within the Zähringen order, with records dating back to 1139. In 1289, Rudolph I invested the monastery as an Imperial abbey and was placed within the Gengenbach order under the Diocese of Strasbourg. However, ownership and the overlordship remained with the Baron of Hohengeroldseck until 1636, with the death of Baron Jacob and the extinction of his line.

The city separated from Gengenbach Abbey and authority of the Hohengeroldesecks with the support of nearby cities Gengenbach and Offenburg, which had acquired Imperial immediacy in the years 1366 and 1340, respectively. Zell won immediacy toward the end of the 14th century, and suffered gravely from the Peasants War, the Thirty Years War, and the wars of King Louis XIV of France.

In the year 1800, the Imperial city controlled about 50 square miles (English) of territory and shared boundaries with the Free City of Gengenbach on the west, the Imperial Abbey of Gengenbach on the north, the Reichstal or Imperial Valley of the Harmersbach on the east, and the Lordship of Haslach, a possession of the Fürstenberg, on the south.

The Free Imperial City of Zell was mediatized by order of the Final Recess (Reichsdeputationshauptschluss) ratified by the Emperor Francis II on 27 April 1803. The city was annexed to the Margrave of Baden.

Geography

Zell is located at the end of the Harmersbachtal (Harmersbach Valley), a tributary valley of the Kinzig. 8 km North Hohengeroldseck Main Castle at Biberach. And 16 km from Lahr, another Hohengeroldseck foundation.

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 Prince 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

    Political administration

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

    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.

    International relations

    See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany.

    Zell am Harmersbach is twinned with:

    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

    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

    Individuals with relation to city

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/wahl/buergermeisterwahl-zell-am-harmersbach-2023/ Bürgermeisterwahl Zell am Harmersbach 2023