Mindelheim

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Mindelheim


Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Administrative region	Swabia
District	Unterallgäu
Population	15.039 source (June 2005)
Area	56.44 km²
Population density	260 /km²
Elevation	607 m
Coordinates	48°02′ N 10°28′ E
Postal code	87711-87719
Area code	08261
Licence plate code	MN
Mayor	Dr. Stephan Winter (CSU)
Website	http://www.mindelheim.de

Mindelheim is a city in the German Bundesland of Bavaria. The town is the capital of the Unterallgäu district.

1 History
2 Sights
3 Geography
4 Twin Towns
5 References

[edit] History

On 18th November 1705 John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough was made Prince of Mindelheim by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph. Churchill was invested at an imperial Diet at Innsbrück on the 24th May 1706. Mindelheim had been bought by an Elector of Bavaria in the sixteenth century. It was confiscated from Elector Max Emmanuel in 1704 for his treachery, and effectively occupied after the battle of Blenheim.

The principality of Mindelheim was situated south of the Danube, 28 miles south-west of Augsburg, and 48 miles west of München. It covered an area of 15 square miles, and had an income of £1,500. Churchill had to meet the cost of investiture, which was reduced to £4,500 from the usual £12-15,000. He also avoided paying the wartime imperial tax of £6,000.

The king of Prussia, through his representative the prince of Anhalt-Dassau, moved that the title should descend successively to all the heirs of Churchill’s body. But the princes were opposed. The lack of a male heir would prevent the Churchill’s becoming hereditary princes of the empire, and was essential to their agreement. Thus no special remainder was provided.

Churchill visited Mindelheim in late May 1713, receiving royal honours from his subjects. But the fate of the principality, and of Churchill’s effective sovereignty, depended upon the ultimate peace treaty. Mindelheim was lost 1714 to the Elector of Bavaria under Treaty of Utrecht, without compensation.

[edit] Sights

The picturesque town center of Mindelheim reflects the typical structure of a medieval settlement. The most important municipal buildings such as the town hall or churches are arranged around a central market square.

Like many other German cities, Mindelheim used to be surrounded by a city wall. As in most cases, this wall is now incomplete as it was partially teared down in the 19th century to make room for modern buildings. Nevertheless, the remaining parts of the wall and some gates give a good impression of the original state.

Besides the old town center, the castle Mindelburg — now housing a restaurant and a publishing company — used to guard over the town in old times. The castle as well was not changed much in the last centuries. The complete annex displays the typical structure of a European fortress, including a donjon.

This architectural ensemble is used to stage several festivals and markets.

Several museums and picture galleries are situated in Mindelheim as well.

Last but not least, there is a superb ethnic art (Chinese, African, Arab) museum in Oberauerbach.

[edit] Geography

Mindelheim is located about 90 km from the Bavarian capital of Munich to the west. Other towns near by are Memmingen or the health resorts of Bad Grönenbach, Ottobeuren or Bad Wörishofen.

Mindelheim is located closely to the Autobahn 96 leading from Munich to Lindau. Furthermore, it is connected to the railroad line between Zurich and Munich via Lindau, Memmingen and Buchloe.