Zell am Harmersbach

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Zell am Harmersbach
Coat of arms Location
Coat of arms of Zell am Harmersbach
Zell am Harmersbach (Germany)
Zell am Harmersbach
Administration
Country Flag of Germany Germany
State Baden-Württemberg
Admin. region Freiburg
District Ortenaukreis
Mayor Hans-Martin Moll
Basic statistics
Area 36.43 km² (14.1 sq mi)
Elevation 223 m  (732 ft)
Population 7,988  (31/12/2006)
 - Density 219 /km² (568 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate OG
Postal code 77736
Area code 07835
Website www.zell.de

Coordinates: 48°20′48″N 8°3′50″E / 48.34667, 8.06389

Reichsstadt Zell am Harmersbach
Imperial City of Zell am Harmersbach
Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire
Zähringen
1218 – 1803 Margraviate of Baden
Capital Zell am Harmersbach
Government Republic
Historical era Middle Ages
 - Founded before 1139
 - Gained Reichsfreiheit 1218
 - Mediatised to Baden 1803

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

Contents

[edit] Geography

[edit] Geographic location

Zell is located at the end of the Harmersbachtal (Harmersbach Valley), a tributary valley of the Kinzig. Zell was the smallest Free City in the Holy Roman Empire.

[edit] Neighboring boroughs

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.

[edit] City districts

Along with Zell, the districts of Unterharmersbach, Unterentersbach und Oberentersbach are incorporated into the city.

[edit] History

Zell was founded by the Imperial abbey of Gengenbach. Records date back to 1139. Having belonged to the masters of Geroldseck and the Diocese of Strasbourg, in 1334 Zell became part of the district of Baden. Subsequently it fell to the house of Zähringen and, after that line's extinction, the city fell to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.

Under Rudolph I, the city gained Reichsunmittelbarkeit, becoming the smallest Free Imperial City in the Empire. Despite repeated attempts at annexation by the Austrian Ortenau family, the city retained its independence until its secularisation in 1803, when it was given to Baden as it gained electoral dignity; Baden was raised from a margraviate to a grand duchy three years later.

[edit] Incorporations

  • 1974: Oberentersbach
  • 1975: Unterentersbach, Unterharmersbach

[edit] Districts

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 Lords of Geroldseck, Unterharmersbach came under the control of the Strasbourg Diocese.

[edit] Political Administration

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

[edit] Local Election Results

The local council elections on the 13 June 2004 had the following result:

1. CDU 37.8% (+0,7) - 7 seats (-2)

2. FWV 31.6% (-0,8) - 6 seats (-2)

3. SPD 18.9% (-2,1) - 3 seats (-2)

4. GLZ 11.7% (+2,2) - 2 seats (=)

[edit] 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.

[edit] Sister Cities

Zell am Harmersbach has two sister cities:

The district of Unterharmersbach has maintained a partnership with the Swiss community of Tuggen since 2000.

[edit] Culture and Attractions

Zell lies on the Kinzigtäler Jakobusweg and on the Großen Hansjakobweg routes, both of which pass many sites of interest.

[edit] Museums

  • Heimatmuseum Fürstenberger Hof (Fürstenberger Farm Museum)
  • Villa Haiss, museum for contemporary art
  • Storchenturm (stork tower) museum

[edit] Economy and Infrastructure

Zell is the birthplace of the famous Hahn und Henne (Rooster and Hens) pottery factory.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Famous Citizens

  • 31 January 1780 - 13 April 1845 Ignaz Blasius Bruder, German musical instrument manufacturer and organ builder
  • 23 March 1803 - 31 January 1878 Franz Josef Ritter von Buß, German politician (German Centre Party) and preacher
  • 10 February 1958, Thomas Ruff, German photographer

Other people with connections to the city:

  • From 1945 to 1952, the German scientist Karl Hasel was responsible for the administration of Zell am Harmersbach.

[edit] External links

  • Website of the city of Zell am Harmersbach www.zell.de
  • Links on the subject of Zell am Harmersbach in the Open Directory [1]

[edit] References

  • This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia.