Sternenfels
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sternenfels | |
| Coat of arms | Location |
 |
  |
| Administration | |
| Country |  Germany |
|---|---|
| State | Baden-Württemberg |
| Admin. region | Karlsruhe |
| District | Enzkreis |
| Mayor | Sigrid Hornauer |
| Basic statistics | |
| Area | 17.32 km² (6.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 397 m (1303 ft) |
| Population | 2,824 (31/12/2006) |
| - Density | 163 /km² (422 /sq mi) |
| Other information | |
| Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) |
| Licence plate | PF |
| Postal code | 75447 |
| Area code | 07045 |
| Website | www.sternenfels.de |
Sternenfels ('Rock Star' in verbal translation, which is as well expressed on the coat of arms) is a small community consisting of Diefenbach and Sternenfels villages in the district of Enz in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Sternenfels is the most northern community of the Enz (district) and marks the landshed between Kraichgau and Stromberg. Its about 20 km away from Pforzheim and close to UN world heritage site Maulbronn.
Sternenfels has a very special location and is wellknown for a very close relationship of its inhabitants with the village. Sternenfels has been the topic of various studies on state, federal and even European level - among others in regional and rural planning and sustainable development[1], teleworking and rural industrial development [2].
Sternenfels has been used as a Baden-Württemberg showcase village at EXPO 2000 [3] and various other ccongresses and conferences. The Sternenfels.de website was mentioned in several competitions and has a very acive web community.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Sternenfels is based on an exposed western sporn of the east west bond Stromberg hills. The watershed between Rhine und Neckar and the border between Kraichgau and Stromberg passes Sternenfels. Diefenbach hosts the Metter fountain which runs via Enz to the Neckar, the Kraich fontain in Sternenfels ends in the Rhine river. In the 60ies, Sternenfels is a local tourist destination and various inns, former breweries and various hiking and walking trail routes are to be found there.
Sternenfels and Diefenbach produce some wine and are based on Württemberg Wine route but have a longstanding industrial tradion. The local quarries were used to produce masonic materials and Stubensand, an early Abrasive which was very popular for house cleaning in the 18th and 19th century. A former castle build by the von Kürnbach noble family and later used by the von Sternenfels noble family has been completely used to produce Stubensand around 1778. However the former central setup of village and castle ist still present. Within the 14. century, Sternenfels became part of Württemberg. The Thirty Years' War left the village in shambles, immigrants from Switzerland repopulated the area and 'Schweitzer' is still an important local family name. End of the 17. century, some of the Eppingen Line fortifications have been build around Sternenfels and are still visible.
The Late Triassic Stubensandsteinformation around Sternenfels has low amounts of gold content. Christopher Bechtler, a citizen and jeweler of Pforzheim tried to gain those in a trial with a gold washer Bechtler had invented[4]. He was not very successful there but Bechtler later became a millionaire in the US based on his gold experience.
The industry in Sternenfels has had as well political consequences - the Sternenfels Workers Guild founded 1875 was one of the first social democratic local organizations in the German southwest. [5]
The local elections on 13. Juni 2004 lead to the following results :
| SPD | 52,4 % | +5,5 | 6 Sitze | ±0 |
| FWG | 47,6 % | -5,5 | 6 Sitze | ±0 |
Mayor:
Sternefels has a partnership with Nöbdenitz in (Thuringia)
[edit] Peculiar Buildings and landmarks
- The 14m high Water tower was build 1967 styled as a keep. Its part of the Lake of Constance Water supply system. The tower includes as well a historic exhibition about the local nobility and geology.
- The Protestant parish church in Sternenfels was built in the 18. century, the Diefenbach church 1621 according plans of Heinrich Schickhardt.
- Sternenfels has a local waterpark (Freibad), a first pool was built 1939 and the whole site completely renovated 1969. Its a very peculiar institution in such a small village and it is said to be the most beautiful public swimming pool in the area. The Freibadverein (Pool association) in Sternenfels has more than 600 (!!!) members and is the strongest local association. It manages the pool guards, sells tickets, organizes concerts and night activities and has even installed a Beachvolleyball field on a non commercial base. [6]
- Typical for the pragmatic 'Sternenfels way' is the municipal hall close to Freibad, Kraich fountain, Kindergarten and cimetery. Its is both used for sports, local events and - via a separate entry - to setup burial services. [7]
- The newly built parish center is named after the pietist preacherman and 19th century labour delegate Christoph Blumhardt.
[edit] Education
Besides a state primary school, the Freie Schule Diefenbach provides primary to middle education based on Rudolf Steiners Waldorf education [8]
[edit] Famous Citizens
- Horst Krautter (1932-1996), administrative expert and peace movement activist
- Theodor Schweitzer (1875-1953), local industrialist, founder of Theodor Schweitzer company
- Franz Walter Stahlecker (1900-1942), Nazi and mass murderer, born in Sternenfels (he moved away in 1903)
- Friedrich Veit (1871-1913), linguist
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Ministerium für Ländlichen Raum, Landwirtschaft und Forsten Baden-Württemberg (Hrsg.) (1987): Dorfentwicklung - Landschafts- und siedlungsökologische Grundsätze. Modellplanung - Holländere in Sternenfels.- Stuttgart.(Rural development - Basic assumptions for landscape ecology and settlements, Holländere model planning in Sternenfels )
- ^ Glaser, W.R./ Glaser, M.O./ Kuder, T.: Bevölkerungsbefragung zum Innovationszentrum "Fabrik Schweitzer" und zu Telearbeit in Sternenfels; Abschlußbericht.(Sondage about teleworking and a local innovation center)
- ^ [1] europäisches Modelldorf und ausgezeichnete Erfahrungen mit Telearbeit (European Village Role Model, excellent experiences with teleworking)
- ^ [http://www.kraichgau-stromberg.com/kst/de/html/Persoenlichkeiten.php?ABC=B Goldrush in Sternenfels 1818
- ^ [2] Anniversary of the Arbeiterverein resp. the local SPD in German
- ^ [3] Basic data and activities of the Freibadverein, in German
- ^ [4] Multipurpose hall in Sternenfels
- ^ Sternenfels: Bildungseinrichtungen
- Um Stromberg und Mittlere Enz. Heimatkundliche Beiträge aus dem Kreis Vaihingen, Landkreis Vaihingen, Vaihingen/Enz, 1972 (local history, folklore and geology and a report about the end of WWII in the Enzkreis)
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