Großmaischeid

Großmaischeid

Coat of arms
Großmaischeid

Coordinates: 50°30′17″N 7°38′02″E / 50.50472°N 7.63389°ECoordinates: 50°30′17″N 7°38′02″E / 50.50472°N 7.63389°E
Country Germany
State Rhineland-Palatinate
District Neuwied
Municipal assoc. Dierdorf
Government
  Mayor Uwe Engel (SPD)
Area
  Total 15.52 km2 (5.99 sq mi)
Population (2012-12-31)[1]
  Total 2,334
  Density 150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 56276
Dialling codes 02689
Vehicle registration NR
Website www.grossmaischeid.de

Großmaischeid is a municipality in the district of Neuwied, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

It has approximately 2350 inhabitants and is placed in the Naturpark Rhein-Westerwald. The municipality is spelled with an ß which may be replaced by ss if not available (as, e.g. in the website www.grossmaischeid.de).

First settlements in Großmaischeid date back to the late Bronze Age (1550 - 1200 BC). The Roman border fortification 'Limes' was erected around 80AD in the vicinity of Großmaischeid. The town was first mentioned in an official document issued by pope Eugene III which dates back to the 20. January 1148. Its name is most probably derived from 'Metsched's place', referring to a medieval local nobleman. It is assumed that the town as such was a planned settlement around the time of Charlemagne in order to stop the Saxon's extension to the western country side of Germany in the early 9th century. The town center is dominated by the catholic St. Bonifatius church which was first mentioned in 1555 and whose tower dates back to the 12th century. The town is situated 5 km south of the A3 motorway and about 75 km away from Köln und 115 km from Frankfurt. Kausen, a former hamlet at the Saynbach river was included into the municipality of Großmaischeid in 1973. Next bigger cities are Koblenz and Neuwied, both of which are around 25 km away. A mere 1.5 km North of Großmaischeid (Maischeid-Major) is the former hamlet of Kleinmaischeid (Maischeid-Minor). Both places are sometimes referred to simply as Maischeid, referring to their common history.

The local dialect in Großmaischeid is a moselle-frankonian. The town is known for its active community life driven by a series of themed clubs and amateur organisations such as the "Spielmannszug Großmaischeid 1959 e.V." (Spielmannszug is a kind of marching band). Highlight of the activities is the annual Carneval parade, traditionally held on 'Pancake Tuesday' (Veilchendienstag). The local Football team "Sportverein Maischeid e.V" is founded in 1923 and plays at the Waldstadion.

Großmaischeid from the North in June 2012
The landmark Wasserturm (Watertower) in Großmaischeid built in 1923
Frontview of St. Bonifacius Grossmaischeid

References

  1. "Bevölkerung der Gemeinden am 31.12.2012". Statistisches Bundesamt (in German). 2013.