Albstadt

Albstadt is the largest city in the district of Zollernalbkreis in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the beautiful Swabian Jura mountains, halfway between the major city of Stuttgart and the shiny waters of Lake Constance. This special place combines nature, history, and modern life. People have lived here for thousands of years, and today Albstadt is a lively and growing community.

Geography

Albstadt is in rolling hills and valleys. The city is between 614 meters (2,014 feet) and 966 meters (3,169 feet) above sea level. Two rivers flow near the city: the Schmiecha joins the Danube, and the Eyach joins the Neckar.

The city includes Raichberg hill to the north, which has a transmitter and an observation tower. To the south is the Heuberg Military Training Area.

History

People have lived in the area of Albstadt since at least the Iron Age. Old graves and items made of pottery and metal were found there.

Albstadt has had some big earthquakes. In 1911, an earthquake shook the area and damaged buildings but hurt no one. Another earthquake in 1943 also caused damage but no injuries.

During World War II, Albstadt was bombed, and many people died. Later, in 1945, French forces came into the area, and Albstadt became part of a new state called Württemberg-Hohenzollern until 1949.

Another earthquake in 1978 caused damage to buildings, but no one was hurt.

Religion

Albstadt has many different religious groups. The main ones are the Roman Catholic Church, YMCA Tailfingen, and the Evangelische Landeskirche in Württemberg. Other groups include the New Apostolic Church in Tailfingen, Gospel Forum in Ebingen, and Pauluskirche, which is part of the United Methodist Church in Ebingen. There are also smaller groups like the Russian Orthodox Church in Tailfingen and other Christian groups.

Economy and Infrastructure

Albstadt used to have a big textiles industry, but most of it is gone now. Some old buildings from that time remain, like Villa Haux. The town is still home to one of the world's largest makers of industrial needles, called Groz-Beckert. Other important companies include Mey, which makes knitwear, Mettler Toledo, which makes weighing systems, and part of Assa Abloy security systems.

The city has its own modern schools, from elementary through high school, including kindergartens and special schools for students with challenges. The city library offers free internet access to everyone who lives there.

The university in Albstadt-Sigmaringen started in 1971 and has two campuses, one in Albstadt and one in Sigmaringen. There is also a sports school in Tailfingen where people train to be sports coaches.

In the past, Albstadt mined iron ore. Today, some old wooden supports from those mines can still be seen nearby.

The city has places where people can play soccer, and the YMCA offers many sports like handball, indiaca, and soccer in halls and on special sports fields.

Districts

The districts Ebingen, Laufen, Lautlingen, Pfeffingen, and Tailfingen were first written about in a document from the year 793. Ebingen became a city around the year 1250.

Albstadt is made up of several districts that used to be their own towns. These districts joined together to form Albstadt in 1975.

Population

Albstadt's population has changed over the years. In 1975, 50,772 people lived there. By 1987, the number fell to 46,369. In 1995, it rose to 49,463. But by 2005, it dropped again to 46,505. The most recent count in 2015 showed 44,431 people living in Albstadt.

Lord Mayors of Albstadt

Albstadt has had many mayors. Hans Pfarr served from 1975 to 1991. Hans-Martin Haller was mayor from 1991 to 1999. Jürgen Gneveckow was mayor from 1999 to 2015. Klaus Konzelmann has been mayor since 2015.

Notable people

Albstadt has been home to many interesting people. One was Philipp Matthäus Hahn, a pastor, designer, and inventor. Another was Otto Hahn, a chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Other well-known people are Kurt Georg Kiesinger, who was a leader in government, and Monika Herzig, a jazz musician.

Sport

Albstadt has had successful athletes. Martin Schaudt won gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Other athletes include Marcus Klausmann, a mountain biker, and footballers such as Roberto Floriano, Kevin Dicklhuber, and Marcel Heister.

Twin towns – sister cities

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

Albstadt has a special friendship with another city. It is twinned with:

• Chambéry, France