Bad Wimpfen: The Surviving History of South Germany
Bad Wimpfen is a historical town located in the district of Heilbronn. Heilbronn is further located in the Baden-Wurttemberg region which is located in southern Germany. Bad Wimpfen is also known as a spa town. It lies on the northern side of the Heilbronn located on the western bank of Neckar River.
This historic spa town is further divided into two parts: Wimpfen am Berg or the Upper Wimpfen and the Wimpfen im Tal or the Lower Wimpfen. Literally translated they mean Wimpfen located on a hill and valley respectively. The upper Wimpfen is the place where the historic town center is located.
The municipalities that neighbor the town of Wimpfen are Neckarsulm, Untereisesheim, Bad Friedrichshall, Offenau, Bad Rappenau and Heilbronn.
History of Bad Wimpfen
It is believed that the first settlement in this town dates back to the Bronze and the Neolithic Age. One of the old routes for trade which forms a fork here and heads towards the Danube. The other two places that this trade route connects are Ohringen and Nurnberg. There have been several archaeological excavations been conducted here, which have found that this trade route has existed here since the prehistoric town.
Around the year 450 BC, the Helvetii which is a Celtic tribe around the place of Jagst, Kocher and Neckar. It is believed that the names of rivers around this place have been given by the Celts themselves. It is also believed that the term Wimpfen comes from the word Uimpe which stands for ‘surround’ whereas ‘bin’ stands for ‘mountain’.
Around the end of first century AD, the Romans had conquered most of the South West Germany. Once the Romans had withdrawn from this region, the Alamanni had started to rule this piece of land since the beginning of the year 260. The Alamanni rulers were unaware about the Roman architecture, which led to the dilapidation of most of the infrastructure.
Although the popularity of Christianity in this region began with the coming of Franks. During the ninth century AD, Wimpfen had come to Bishopric of Worms whose first mention in the documents dates back to the year 829 AD. It was during this time that the Hungarians had attacked this region which led to the destruction of many settlements here in the town of Wimpfen. It was during this reconstruction period that the church of Saint Peter was erected. Since this was a huge building, the church was dedicated to the then Bishopric of Worms.
Wimpfen was soon to become the seat of an imperial palace. To know the real past of this town means to unearth the hidden facts of past. It is believed that the Celts had built the castle which lies on a hillcrest located above Neckar River. Several findings have also revealed that the site where this large Stufian Palace stands, here once stood a much smaller church, at the highest point in the entire Bad Wimpfen.
The Stauferpfalz located in Bad Wimpfen is one of the largest preserved situated in the northern Alps. The original length of this was 705 ft. while the width measured at 289 ft. It is said that Henry the Fifth himself has stayed here a couple of times during his visits to the place.
Soon the empire of Staufers started to decline and the town of Bad Wimpfen came into the hands of the REichsstadt. This led to an explosion in the population growth of this town as many manual laborers settled in this region. This led to a drastic growth in the core population of Bad Wimpfen. Soon the constitution of this town was laid town, to set an example to its inhabitants. Many of the popular buildings in this region started mushrooming during this period of time.
In the Talmarkt, Emperor Friedrich the Third granted rights for an annual market, which was being held here for the second time now. This time, the name was widely popular as the Katharinemarkt.
During the time of Reformation, Bad Wimpfen became a historic town, as it was the center point of the entire movement in Germany. Erhard Schnepf, an important figure of reformation used to preach here in Bad Wimpfen between the years 1523 and 1526. Heinrich Vogtherr, the contemporary of Erhard, wrote numerous hymns and essays pertaining to movement of Reformation. This soon led to the curbing of civil rights for the Catholics and most of the Catholic churches were soon transformed for the use of Protestants.
Soon the thirty years of war began in Germany, and Bad Wimpfen played an active role in the same. The conflict of religion soon grew less important as Johann Tserclaes battled again the armies of Georg Friedrich in the year 1622, in a place very close to the town of Bad Wimpfen. It is considered that the battle fought here in Bad Wimpfen is one of the most bloody and important ones during the course of the thirty years’ war.
It was during this period that the town was plundered and looted many times and fields and houses were burned to the ground. The population of the town soon decreased rapidly due to epidemics and diseases. In the year 1648, as the war draws to a close, the population of this town was one-tenth of what it was before the war had begun. Most of the historic building located in Bad Wimpfen suffered heavy damages or were burned to the ground.
Poverty soon hit the inhabitants of the town. The thirty years’ war had such a deep impact on the well-being of the town that the people had to suffer for another one hundred fifty years; during the reconstruction phase of the town. The Celts had drawn salt from this town since the pre-Christian era, but now there was no possibility for the same to happen. It was during this time that Nurnberg provided financial assistance to the town.
In the year 1783, a declaration was made to levy a tax on the cutting of wood for the forest that surrounded the town. This money made from this tax collection meant an improvement in the financial status of the town. However, this led to many rebellions within the town as the citizens could not afford to pay these taxes. These rebellions were successfully tackled by the local orders.
In the year 1752, boreholes were made by drilling in order to extract salt water. In the year 1817, production works for the extraction of salt were established within the town. The brine in the salt water was then used for therapeutic purposes. In the year 1835, a hotel by the name Mathilden Spa and Hotel was opened here that provided these services. In the year 1836, a new and beautiful town hall was constructed in the town keeping in view the economic prosperity that the endeavor had brought. The old building constructed during the Staufer dynasty were either destroyed completely or they themselves fell into disuse and disrepair.
The business of spa soon saw a rapid growth, as a railroad was built here during the 1860’s, connecting Heidelberg and Heilbronn. The spa baths were soon expanded which led to a major boost to the economy.
Unlike the destruction that the thirty years’ war had brought to this town, World War II did not cause much harm to Bad Wimpfen. In fact, many refugees sought protection here in this town during the war.
If you visit today, Bad Wimpfen is a popular destination among tourists due to its historic buildings and its numerous spa institutions. The old and the historic part of Bad Wimpfen is completely protected. Since the year 1976, many programs were launched in order to redevelop and restore the charm of the old buildings.
Religions in Bad Wimpfen
Other than the Catholic and Protestant Parishes located in the town, Bad Wimpfen also has an Apostolic Church along with a few Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Grussau Abbey was housed in the buildings located near to the Church of Saint Peter, between the years 1947 and 2006. Located in the Heilbronn district, the Benedictine Monastery here had just three monks in the year 2005. The Monastery was eventually closed in the year 2006. The monks who had lived here were relocated to the Neuburg Abbey located near to Pannonhalma Archabbey, Kellenreid Abbey, Sigmaringen and Heidelberg.
Earlier there was also one Jewish representation in the town of Bad Wimpfen. Alexander Salomo, one of the earliest Jews in the town is said to have released, of what can be called as the remains of the Rabbi names Meir Rothenburg. It is believed that between the fourteenth and sixteenth century, many Jews lived in this place. Around the year 1550, many Jews were expelled from here. After the approval and cancellation of many decrees passed in favor of discrimination against the Jews, in the year 1933, only about twenty-two families resided within the town. The condition soon worsened once the Nazi Party in Germany gained power. The riots which occurred in the year 1938, forced many to leave their home and businesses, in search of safer places to live in. About four deaths have been recorded during this period of time here in Bad Wimpfen.
Places to visit in Bad Wimpfen
– Railway station
This railway station located in Bad Wimpfen is the only standing example of Neo-Gothic architecture in the whole of South Germany. This railway station was constructed in the year 1868, after the extension of Heilbronn to Heidelberg line was granted permission.
However, today this railway station has been refurbished and has a bistro or restaurant in it. Situated directly in front of this historic railway station is the bus stop which is used by the local buses and also as a car park area. For the adventurer in you, one can begin their hiking trail from which goes towards Heidelberg. If you are here and want a guided tour of the town, then this will be your starting point of the tour.
– Hohenstaufentor Archway
If you want to visit the Imperial Palace located in this town, then the archway will serve as the entrance point to the same from the southern side of the Palace.
– Half Timbered House
This is the place where the old Jewish Oratory was once situated. The construction of this timbered house dates back to the sixteenth century.
– The Red Tower
Built in circa 1200, this red tower was used as a keep to the Imperial Palace of Staufen located on the eastern side. If you visit this tower, you will notice that it has been elaborately decorated, as this was the last resting house of the lords of this castle.
Closely located to the red tower is the Nurnberger Turmchen, which is a much smaller tower, which was once used by the Imperial City after and during the Thirty Years’ War.
– The Chapel of the Staufen Imperial Palace
The construction of this chapel dates back to circa 1200. This chapel was dedicated to the Saint named Nicholas. Right at the entrance of the chapel, you can notice the imperial gallery. In the year 1837, this place was transformed into a farmhouse with stables and barns attached to it. However, in the year 1908, this chapel was restored back to its original glory. Today this is a place where a museum stands which will tell you all about the vaults of treasure which belonged to the churches and monasteries of this town.
– The Arcades of the Imperial Palace
This is the exact same spot where once the biggest imperial hall once stood. Notice the pillars designed in varied architecture, which will indulge you in the beauty of Romanesque architecture.
– The Stone House
This place is believed to be the women’s quarters of the Imperial Palace. This is one of the largest places for dwelling made in Romanesque architecture in the whole of Germany. This place has seven sectional windows and a steeped gable made in late gothic architecture. Located on the first floor of the Stone House are the mural paintings which dates back to the Late Gothic and Medieval Times.
Today if you visit this place, you will find a museum here run by the Municipality of Bad Wimpfen, which will tell you all about the art of stone masonry dating back to prehistory and Medieval Period.
– Burgermeister Elsasser Haus
This building or house dates back to the year 1717. This is basically a building made out of timber or wood and contains bay windows built in Baroque architecture. In the year 1983, the early foundation of a third keep for the Imperial Palace was found at this very same spot.
– The Blue Tower
This tower is considered as one of the most important landmarks in the town of Bad Wimpfen. IT is believed that this tower dates back the 1200’s and is located on the western side of the Imperial Palace. During the time of the Staufen rulers, this tower was used as a watchtower, which was done keeping in view the old and grand tradition of tower wardens in many regions of Germany.
If you are here, make sure to climb to the top of the tower, to view the magnificence of Neckar Valley and the Old Town.
– Town Hall
This building made in neoclassical architecture dates back to the year 1839. This place was the former house of the Law courts and the town council of the imperial city.
– The Wormser Hof
This place once used to the dwelling of the representatives of the Worms’ Bishops. The northern side of this town side reflects Romanesque architecture which dates back to the thirteenth century. The western side of the town hall dates back to the sixteenth century. Located towards the western side of the Wormser Hof is the Tithe Barn, from where the contributions made in fruits were once collected.
– The Town Church
This Evangelical church was built between the thirteenth and sixteenth century and was a church for the parish located on the very same site where a church dating back to the Staufer dynasty once stood.
– The Smoothing Iron House
This iron house is considered as one of the narrowest house in the whole town- a site worth watching.
– Frankonian Half-Timbered House
This is an ornamental house built in the sixteenth century, located at Badgasse 8.
– The Eagle Fountain
The construction of this fountain dates back to the year 1576. The statue of the eagle on the fountain is representative of the coat of arms of the town of Bad Wimpfen.
– Former Freeman’s Hospital
This building made completely out of stone dates back to the thirteenth century. During the fifteenth century, annexes made out of timber were added to the structure. Today, the imperial town museum is positioned in this building and on the ground floor, city gallery along with the information center and cultural center are also located.
– The catholic Parish church
This catholic parish church belonging to the half cross is an old Dominican church. A monastery for the Dominicans was also founded at this very same spot in the year 1269. One Gothic styled church was added to this structure in the year circa 1300, which was later rebuilt in the year 1713, in Baroque styled architecture.
After the secularization movement of 1818, the monastery in the church was finally dissolved. Today this church is a significant place of pilgrimage to those who believe in the fragment of the cross. The building which was once the monastery is today a school where grammar is taught.
– The Bulwark
This place built in the sixteenth century is an artillery emplacement, made in a circular shape.
– The Lion’s Fountain
This construction of this fountain dates back to the sixteenth century. The fountain reflects the coat of arms of the town in claws of a lion.
– The oldest house
The oldest house in the region located in Marktplatz, dates back to the latter half of the thirteenth century.
– Manorial Collegiate Church
This Manorial Collegiate Church is located in the valley of Bad Wimpfen. The western wing of this building, built in Romanesque architecture dates back to the tenth century. Since the year 1947, many Benedictine monks live here. If you visit here now, you can witness the organization of the Maltese cross conducts social work, retreats and seminars at this place.