Schelklingen
Encyclopedia
Schelklingen is a town in the district of Alb-Donau
in Baden-Württemberg
in Germany
. It is situated 10 km north of Ehingen
, and 20 km west of Ulm
. Schelklingen with the major part of its territory (82%) forms a part of the Biospheric Region of the Swabian Alb
The city centre of Schelklingen is located in the prehistoric valley of the Danube
at the feet of the Swabian Alb
. The villages Hausen ob Urspring, Justingen and Ingstetten are located on the table land of the Swabian Alb. In the Schmiech valley are located the villages of Schmiechen, Hütten, Gundershofen and Sondernach.
, in the east to the city of Blaubeuren
, in the south-east to the city of Erbach
, in the south to Altheim
and Allmendingen
, and in the west to Mehrstetten
and the city of Münsingen
, the latter both belonging to the district of Reutlingen
.
), the hamlet of grain mills Springen (to Gundershofen), the Riedmühle (to Sondernach), the hamlet Talsteußlingen and the castle Neusteußlingen (to Hütten), the hamlet Teuringshofen (to Hütten) and the former monastery of Urspring (to Schelklingen).
and received it back as fief. When the last Count of Berg-Schelklingen died in 1346, the territory of Schelklingen went to the Dukes of Austria.
Schelklingen was later administered by Further Austria
(Vorderösterreich) and remained Austrian until 1806. The Peace of Pressburg
(Frieden von Pressburg) of 1805 brought Schelklingen to the Grand-Duchy of Württemberg
as reward for the military help given to Napoleon by Württemberg.
The permanent shortage of money on the side of the Dukes of Austria and the high prestige connected with an own dominion on the side of the landed gentry were the reasons why the territory of Schelklingen (together with Ehingen and Berg) most the time was mortgaged and given away as a fief. While during the period from 1346 to the end of the 15th century the masters of the mortgage changed fast, the situation became more stable afterwards. Up to 1568 the territories of Ehingen, Schelklingen and Berg were possessed by the following persons respectively families:
In 1568, the town of Ehingen was able to free herself from a new mortgage, while paying a large sum of money to the Austrian rulers residing in Innsbruck
. This way, the direct aristocratic rule ended, and the territories of Ehingen, Schelklingen and Berg in future were administered by Austrian governors, most the time noblemen. In 1680 the Count of the Empire (Reichsgraf) and bishop of Eichstätt
Marquard Schenk von Castell reminded the German Emperor of his merits and services. Thus, thanks to his efforts, the family Schenk von Castell first received the territories of Schelklingen and Berg (without Ehingen) first as a mortgage and finally in 1732 as a personal fief. The feudal rule of this family over Schelklingen and Berg lasted until the middle of the 19th century when the last obligations were abolished. Franz Ludwig Schenk von Castell (1736–1821), a prosecutor of criminals, was the most influential owner of the two territories during the 18th century.
In 1806, Schelkingen was acquired by Württemberg, and the King of Württemberg was busy to end feudal rule in his new Kingdom. Mediatization
ended the rule of the Schenk von Castell family in Schelklingen, and the counts step-by-step sold their properties there.
In Urspring in 1912, after the grain mill (Dreikönigsmühle) at the Ach spring (Achtopf) was changed into the municipal electricity and water factory, a new grain mill was built which is today used as a school building. From 1907 to 1930 the buildings in Urspring were not inhabited except for a tavern. Only in 1930 the former monastery found a new utilization by the foundation of the Urspring School (Urspringschule), a Protestant country boarding school and gymnasium.
A second industry branch which developed during the 1830s, was the production of matches. This innovation was based on the invention of the phosphor match. Three factories were founded employing many women and children in home work. These factories were closed at the beginning of the 20th century.
During the late 19th century in the valleys of the rivers Blau, Ach and Schmiech evolved the cement industry, based on the invention of the Portland cement. In 1889, the first Barbey factory was built, later called Hammerstein cement factory, and shortly after 1900 the large plant of the Stuttgarter Immobilien- und Baugeschäft. The Hammerstein factory was closed and changed into dwellings for cement workers. This new factory attracted many external workers, especially also many Italian migrant workers: some of them remained in Schelklingen. Later, this cement factory was bought by the Portland-Cement-Fabrik AG Heidelberg und Mannheim AG, today HeidelbergCement
.
During the 1870s a Catholic institution for boys living in bad social conditions (Katholische Rettungsanstalt für Knaben) was founded, the St.-Konradihaus. In 1941 the St.-Konradihaus was requisitioned by the government and until 1945 was used as a relocation camp (Umsiedlungslager (SS-Lager)) in order to reeducate people from Alsace
.
(Vorderösterreich). During the 16th century until the end of the 30 Years War, the villages of the former territory of Justingen (Reichsherrschaft Justingen, Justingen, Ingstetten, Gundershofen and Hütten) adhered to the belief of Caspar Schwenckfeld, promoted by the lords of Freyberg (Freiherren von Freyberg). When the territory of Justingen was newly acquired again by the prince bishop (Fürstbischof) of Augsburg Johann Christoph von Freyberg (1665–1690), Catholicism was reintroduced. The village of Sondernach was part of the territory of Neusteußlingen; under the rule of the lords of Freyberg residing in the castle Neusteußlingen (not identical with the former, but related) it was Catholic. When this territory went back to the Dukes of Württemberg
in the late 16th century, the Reformation
was introduced there.
In Schelklingen at the moment exist each one Roman Catholic (Römisch-Katholische Kirche), Lutheran Protestant (Evangelische Kirche) and New-Apostolic (Neuapostolische Kirche) community. In addition, Muslim inhabitants are living in Schelklingen. Most of them are members of the Sunnite Islam. The Islamic citizens came to Schelklingen since the early 1960s by the way of labour migration, mainly from the Republic of Turkey. Some years ago, the Muslim inhabitants built a small mosque (Gebetsstätte) at the outskirts of the town.
introduced the position of the Schultheiß, elected for life. Later for towns the title Stadtschultheiß was introduced. In 1930 in Württemberg the title Bürgermeister (mayor) was adopted which is used until the present day. The mayor is currently elected for a term of eight years.
…
…
), but from the right upper side to the lower left side. The city colours are white and red.
(Donautalbahn) from Ulm
to Donaueschingen
meets the Swabian Alb Railway
which is coming from Kleinengstingen
over Münsingen
to Schelklingen. While traffic on the Schwäbische Albbahn ist quite low, departures and arrivals are frequent on the Donautalbahn. Schelklingen is a stop both for regional express trains and both for regional trains. Therefore at least two trains per hour are leaving for Ulm. Into the opposite direction for Sigmaringen
, a train is leaving every hour; and trains are leaving every two hours for the much more remote city of Titisee-Neustadt
. Every hour, via Ulm station, regional trains are leaving for Memmingen
. The city of Schelklingen is member of the Donau-Iller regional traffic network Donau-Iller-Nahverkehrsverbund
.
Schelklingen is related to the supraregional road net via the Federal Road 492 (Bundesstraße 492) (Blaubeuren
–Ehingen
). Schelklingen has access to the Federal motorway system via the Federal Motorway A 8 (A 8
) – exit Merklingen
respectively Federal Motorway A 7 (A 7) – exit Ulm
/Langenau
.
and Cooper Standard Automotive are located in the city.
In addition, the Urspring School (Urspringschule) offers high school studies (Gymnasium) accompanied by a boarding school
, under the supervision of the Protestant Church. In addition to the Abitur, practical studies can be finished as well.
The St. Konradihaus is an institution for youth assistance with a boarding school
, where young people from of the age of 12 years onwards may obtain general schooling and occupational education.
Furthermore, four Roman Catholic, two municipal and one Protestant kindergarten exist in the town.
, Maultaschen, Saure Kutteln
, Sauerbraten
, etc.) are served by different restaurants and taverns.
to the following persons:
Alb-Donau (district)
Alb-Donau-Kreis is a district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Biberach, Reutlingen, Göppingen and Heidenheim, the two Bavarian districts Günzburg and Neu-Ulm, and the city of Ulm.- History :...
in Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is situated 10 km north of Ehingen
Ehingen
Ehingen is a town in the Alb-Donau district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, situated on the left bank of the Danube, approx. 25 km southwest of Ulm and 67 km southeast of Stuttgart.-Statistics:...
, and 20 km west of Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
. Schelklingen with the major part of its territory (82%) forms a part of the Biospheric Region of the Swabian Alb
Geography
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
at the feet of the Swabian Alb
Swabian Alb
The Swabian Alps or Swabian Jura is a low mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, extending 220 km from southwest to northeast and 40 to 70 km in width. It is named after the region of Swabia....
. The villages Hausen ob Urspring, Justingen and Ingstetten are located on the table land of the Swabian Alb. In the Schmiech valley are located the villages of Schmiechen, Hütten, Gundershofen and Sondernach.
Neighbouring municipalities
The city is boardering in the north to the town of HeroldstattHeroldstatt
Heroldstatt is a village in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
, in the east to the city of Blaubeuren
Blaubeuren
Blaubeuren is a town in the district of Alb-Donau near Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.It has 11.963 inhabitants as of December 2007.-Coat of arms:...
, in the south-east to the city of Erbach
Erbach an der Donau
Erbach an der Donau is a town on the Danube River in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Located in the Alb-Donau District, Erbach lies between Ulm and Ehingen an der Donau on the southern edge of the Swabian Alb.-History:...
, in the south to Altheim
Altheim (Ehingen)
Altheim is a municipality in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
and Allmendingen
Allmendingen, Germany
Allmendingen is a municipality in the Alb-Donau district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany....
, and in the west to Mehrstetten
Mehrstetten
Mehrstetten is a town in the district of Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
and the city of Münsingen
Münsingen, Germany
Münsingen is a town in the district of Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 23 km southeast of Reutlingen, and 37 km west of Ulm.-History:...
, the latter both belonging to the district of Reutlingen
Reutlingen (district)
Reutlingen , nicknamed "Das Tor zur Schwäbischen-Alb" , is a district in the middle of Baden-Württemberg, Germany....
.
Town structure
The city of Schelklingen is composed of the following parts: the villages of Schmiechen, Hausen ob Urspring, Justingen, Ingstetten, Hütten, Gundershofen and Sondernach. To the city belong the communes of Schmiechen, Hausen ob Urspring, Justingen, Ingstetten, Hütten, Gundershofen and Sondernach. Other hamlets, single farms, former grain mills, castles and a former monastery exist which belong to the parts of the city: the farm Muschenwang (to Hausen ob Urspring), the farm Oberschelklingen (to Schelklingen), the hamlet Sotzenhausen (former cement factory, to Schelklingen: is not identical with the hamlet Sotzenhausen which in 1835 was incorporated to Pappelau, today city of BlaubeurenBlaubeuren
Blaubeuren is a town in the district of Alb-Donau near Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.It has 11.963 inhabitants as of December 2007.-Coat of arms:...
), the hamlet of grain mills Springen (to Gundershofen), the Riedmühle (to Sondernach), the hamlet Talsteußlingen and the castle Neusteußlingen (to Hütten), the hamlet Teuringshofen (to Hütten) and the former monastery of Urspring (to Schelklingen).
Rivers and lakes
- The small river of the Urspring originates in the former monastery of Urspring and flows after approximately 500 m into the river Ach
- The Ach originates near Urspring and flows in BlaubeurenBlaubeurenBlaubeuren is a town in the district of Alb-Donau near Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.It has 11.963 inhabitants as of December 2007.-Coat of arms:...
into the river Blau - The Schmiech has its origin in Springen and flows in EhingenEhingenEhingen is a town in the Alb-Donau district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, situated on the left bank of the Danube, approx. 25 km southwest of Ulm and 67 km southeast of Stuttgart.-Statistics:...
into the DanubeDanubeThe Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway.... - The small river of the Sondernach originates in the Sondernach valley and flows into the river Schmiech near the Riedmühle.
Landmarks
- The Hohle FelsHohle FelsThe Hohle Fels is a cave in the Swabian Alb of Germany that has yielded a number of important archaeological finds dating to the Upper Paleolithic. Artifacts found in the cave represent some of the earliest examples of prehistoric art and musical instruments ever discovered...
(Hohler Fels, hollow rock) is a huge limestone rock in the Ach valley, its interior almost completely washed out by water. The cave was inhabited at least during the stone age. In September, 2008, the Venus of Hohle FelsVenus of Hohle FelsThe Venus of Hohle Fels is an Upper Paleolithic Venus figurine found in 2008 near Schelklingen, Germany...
, the earliest known figurine in the world was discovered in the cave. Visits are possible. - The Schmiechener See or Schmiecher See (d’r Sai) (Lake of Schmiechen) is a remnant from the ice age, and today forms part of a nature reserve.
- The Sirgenstein, like the Hohle Fels a huge limestone rock, but located on the opposite side of the Ach valley. During the stone age this cave was inhabited as well. During the Middle Ages a castle was built on the top of the rock. Some remains are still visible.
Middle Ages and early modern times
The first owners of the village and castle of Schelklingen were free lords of Schelklingen, probably related to the lords of Steußlingen, Justingen, etc. In 1127, three brothers, called of Schelklingen, donated property to the monastery of Urspring. Approximately in 1200 by the way of purchase, marriage or inheritance the territory of Schelklingen was acquired by the Counts of Berg (Grafen von Berg) which later adopted the name Counts of Berg-Schelklingen (Grafen von Berg-Schelklingen). For the first time in 1234, Schelklingen is called town (civitas, municipal law). In 1343, the last Count of Berg-Schelklingen sold the territory of Schelklingen to the Dukes of AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and received it back as fief. When the last Count of Berg-Schelklingen died in 1346, the territory of Schelklingen went to the Dukes of Austria.
Schelklingen was later administered by Further Austria
Further Austria
Further Austria or Anterior Austria was the collective name for the old possessions of the House of Habsburg in the former Swabian stem duchy of south-western Germany, including territories in the Alsace region west of the Rhine and in Vorarlberg, after the focus of the Habsburgs had moved to the...
(Vorderösterreich) and remained Austrian until 1806. The Peace of Pressburg
Peace of Pressburg
The Peace of Pressburg refers to four peace treaties concluded in Pressburg . The fourth Peace of Pressburg of 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars is the best-known.-First:...
(Frieden von Pressburg) of 1805 brought Schelklingen to the Grand-Duchy of Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
as reward for the military help given to Napoleon by Württemberg.
The permanent shortage of money on the side of the Dukes of Austria and the high prestige connected with an own dominion on the side of the landed gentry were the reasons why the territory of Schelklingen (together with Ehingen and Berg) most the time was mortgaged and given away as a fief. While during the period from 1346 to the end of the 15th century the masters of the mortgage changed fast, the situation became more stable afterwards. Up to 1568 the territories of Ehingen, Schelklingen and Berg were possessed by the following persons respectively families:
- John the Rich of Stadion (Hans der Reiche von Stadion) and his inheritants (from the beginning of the 15th century to 1507)
- Ludwig of Freyberg, residing in ÖpfingenÖpfingenÖpfingen is a town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany.-References:...
(1507–1530) - Konrad of Boyneburg (1530–1568)
In 1568, the town of Ehingen was able to free herself from a new mortgage, while paying a large sum of money to the Austrian rulers residing in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
. This way, the direct aristocratic rule ended, and the territories of Ehingen, Schelklingen and Berg in future were administered by Austrian governors, most the time noblemen. In 1680 the Count of the Empire (Reichsgraf) and bishop of Eichstätt
Eichstätt
Eichstätt is a town in the federal state of Bavaria, Germany, and capital of the District of Eichstätt. It is located along the Altmühl River, at , and had a population of 13,078 in 2002. It is home to the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, the lone Catholic university in Germany. The...
Marquard Schenk von Castell reminded the German Emperor of his merits and services. Thus, thanks to his efforts, the family Schenk von Castell first received the territories of Schelklingen and Berg (without Ehingen) first as a mortgage and finally in 1732 as a personal fief. The feudal rule of this family over Schelklingen and Berg lasted until the middle of the 19th century when the last obligations were abolished. Franz Ludwig Schenk von Castell (1736–1821), a prosecutor of criminals, was the most influential owner of the two territories during the 18th century.
In 1806, Schelkingen was acquired by Württemberg, and the King of Württemberg was busy to end feudal rule in his new Kingdom. Mediatization
Mediatization
Mediatisation is the loss of imperial immediacy. Broadly defined it is the subsumption of one monarchy into another monarchy in such a way that the ruler of the annexed state keeps his sovereign title and, sometimes, a measure of local power...
ended the rule of the Schenk von Castell family in Schelklingen, and the counts step-by-step sold their properties there.
19th and 20th century
During the 19th century Schelklingen evolved from a town of artisans and peasants towards an industrial town. In 1806 the monastery of Urspring was secularized. High costs of maintaining the many buildings finally caused Württemberg to sell the former monastery. In 1832 most of the buildings were bought by the cotton manufacturer Georg Reichenbach with the intention to build up a cotton weaving factory. This factory later adopted the name of Mechanical Weaving Factory Urspring (Mechanische Weberei Urspring, MWU). In 1907, the factory was transferred to Schelklingen into a new building along the Ehingerstraße. In Urspring, most of the factory buildings were removed. Caused by international competition from low-wage countries, the MWU in the 1950s got financial problems and was closed.In Urspring in 1912, after the grain mill (Dreikönigsmühle) at the Ach spring (Achtopf) was changed into the municipal electricity and water factory, a new grain mill was built which is today used as a school building. From 1907 to 1930 the buildings in Urspring were not inhabited except for a tavern. Only in 1930 the former monastery found a new utilization by the foundation of the Urspring School (Urspringschule), a Protestant country boarding school and gymnasium.
A second industry branch which developed during the 1830s, was the production of matches. This innovation was based on the invention of the phosphor match. Three factories were founded employing many women and children in home work. These factories were closed at the beginning of the 20th century.
During the late 19th century in the valleys of the rivers Blau, Ach and Schmiech evolved the cement industry, based on the invention of the Portland cement. In 1889, the first Barbey factory was built, later called Hammerstein cement factory, and shortly after 1900 the large plant of the Stuttgarter Immobilien- und Baugeschäft. The Hammerstein factory was closed and changed into dwellings for cement workers. This new factory attracted many external workers, especially also many Italian migrant workers: some of them remained in Schelklingen. Later, this cement factory was bought by the Portland-Cement-Fabrik AG Heidelberg und Mannheim AG, today HeidelbergCement
HeidelbergCement
HeidelbergCement is a German cement and building materials company. It is currently the world's third largest cement producer, the market leader in aggregates and fourth in ready-mix concrete. In 2010 the company produced around 78 million tonnes of cement...
.
During the 1870s a Catholic institution for boys living in bad social conditions (Katholische Rettungsanstalt für Knaben) was founded, the St.-Konradihaus. In 1941 the St.-Konradihaus was requisitioned by the government and until 1945 was used as a relocation camp (Umsiedlungslager (SS-Lager)) in order to reeducate people from Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
.
Territorial evolution of the city
According to the administrative reorganization of the municipalities (Gemeindegebietsreform in Baden-Württemberg) the following communes have been incorporated into (or merged with) the city of Schelklingen:- 1 March 1972: Hausen ob Urspring and Justingen
- 1 April 1972: Ingstetten and Hütten
- 1 July 1974: Schmiechen (unification with Schelklingen forming the new city of Schelklingen)
- 1 January 1975: Gundershofen and Sondernach
Religions
Schelklingen is predominantly Catholic: this is caused by historical reasons. The territory of the former dominion of Schelklingen (Herrschaft Schelklingen), conististing of the city of Schelklingen, Hausen ob Urspring and Schmiechen and the territory of the former Urspring monastery until 1806 belonged to Further AustriaFurther Austria
Further Austria or Anterior Austria was the collective name for the old possessions of the House of Habsburg in the former Swabian stem duchy of south-western Germany, including territories in the Alsace region west of the Rhine and in Vorarlberg, after the focus of the Habsburgs had moved to the...
(Vorderösterreich). During the 16th century until the end of the 30 Years War, the villages of the former territory of Justingen (Reichsherrschaft Justingen, Justingen, Ingstetten, Gundershofen and Hütten) adhered to the belief of Caspar Schwenckfeld, promoted by the lords of Freyberg (Freiherren von Freyberg). When the territory of Justingen was newly acquired again by the prince bishop (Fürstbischof) of Augsburg Johann Christoph von Freyberg (1665–1690), Catholicism was reintroduced. The village of Sondernach was part of the territory of Neusteußlingen; under the rule of the lords of Freyberg residing in the castle Neusteußlingen (not identical with the former, but related) it was Catholic. When this territory went back to the Dukes of Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
in the late 16th century, the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
was introduced there.
In Schelklingen at the moment exist each one Roman Catholic (Römisch-Katholische Kirche), Lutheran Protestant (Evangelische Kirche) and New-Apostolic (Neuapostolische Kirche) community. In addition, Muslim inhabitants are living in Schelklingen. Most of them are members of the Sunnite Islam. The Islamic citizens came to Schelklingen since the early 1960s by the way of labour migration, mainly from the Republic of Turkey. Some years ago, the Muslim inhabitants built a small mosque (Gebetsstätte) at the outskirts of the town.
Mayors
During Austrian times the city was administered by the governing official mayor (regierender Amtsbürgermeister) and his predecssor, the lower mayor (Unterbürgermeister). These were supported by an internal and external council (innerer und äußerer Rat) with four members each, called councilors or deputies (Ratsherren, Deputierte). The city offices like city, church, and hospital accountancy, etc. (Stadtrechner, Kirchenpfleger, Spitalpfleger) were distributed among the councilors. The mayors were elected for one year, but reelections were possible, proved by the mayors' partly long years in office. After 1806 WürttembergWürttemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
introduced the position of the Schultheiß, elected for life. Later for towns the title Stadtschultheiß was introduced. In 1930 in Württemberg the title Bürgermeister (mayor) was adopted which is used until the present day. The mayor is currently elected for a term of eight years.
- Haintz Pfortzer 1433
- Ulrich Gyger 1446
- Hans Siener 1481
…
- Hans Minderer 1560
…
- Franz Bischof 1800
- Franz Joseph Eberle 1800–1823
- Johann Nikolaus Heyschmid 1823–1825
- Johann Baptist Bauer 1826–1835
- Georg Martin Betz 1836–1847
- Philipp Scheitenberger 1847–1873
- Anton Fischer, from Justingen 1873–1906
- Anton Fischer 1906–1946, son of the former
- Karl Oßwald 1946–1960
- Hans-Joachim Baeuchle (SPD) 1961–1974
- Rudolf Stützle (CDU) 1975–2000
- Michael Knapp (without party affiliation) 2000–present
- First deputy mayor: Jürgen Haas (SPD)
- Second deputy mayor: Reiner Blumentritt (CDU)
Municipal council
As of the municipal election of 2009, the following was the distribution of seats on the town council:- Christian Democratic Union (Christlich Demokratische Union (CDU)): 31.6 % (-26.8), 9 seats (−5)
- Free Voters (Freie Wähler (FW)): 18.0 % (-6.4), 5 seats (+0)
- Social Democratic Party of Germany (Sozialdemokratische Partei (SPD))Social Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
: 19.0 % (+1.8), 5 seats (+1) - Pro Schelklingen e.V.: 38.4 % (+38.4), 8 seats (+8)
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of the city of Schelklingen is the coat of arms of the former Counts of Berg-Schelklingen except that the red and white strips are organized in the opposite way. They are not running from left to right (coat of arms of the city of EhingenEhingen
Ehingen is a town in the Alb-Donau district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, situated on the left bank of the Danube, approx. 25 km southwest of Ulm and 67 km southeast of Stuttgart.-Statistics:...
), but from the right upper side to the lower left side. The city colours are white and red.
Gundershofen |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sondernach |
Traffic
Schelklingen is a small regional railway knot. At this place the Danube Valley RailwayDanube Valley Railway (Baden-Württemberg)
The Danube Valley Railway in Baden-Württemberg in south-western Germany is a 164-kilometer-long railway running from the city of Ulm to Donaueschingen, which is largely single-tracked and for the most part not electrified...
(Donautalbahn) from Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
to Donaueschingen
Donaueschingen
Donaueschingen is a German town in the Black Forest in the southwest of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the Schwarzwald-Baar Kreis. It stands near the confluence of the two sources of the river Danube ....
meets the Swabian Alb Railway
Swabian Alb Railway
The Swabian Jura Railway is a 58.25 kilometre long branch line from Reutlingen to Schelklingen, which crosses the Swabian Jura in southern Germany. Its route no. is 4620. The section from Reutlingen to Honau is also known as the Echaz Railway or Echaz Valley Railway...
which is coming from Kleinengstingen
Engstingen
Engstingen is a municipality in the Tübingen administrative region in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It lies in the Swabian Alb , about 15 km south of Reutlingen....
over Münsingen
Münsingen, Germany
Münsingen is a town in the district of Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 23 km southeast of Reutlingen, and 37 km west of Ulm.-History:...
to Schelklingen. While traffic on the Schwäbische Albbahn ist quite low, departures and arrivals are frequent on the Donautalbahn. Schelklingen is a stop both for regional express trains and both for regional trains. Therefore at least two trains per hour are leaving for Ulm. Into the opposite direction for Sigmaringen
Sigmaringen
Sigmaringen is a town in southern Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Situated on the upper Danube, it is the capital of the Sigmaringen district....
, a train is leaving every hour; and trains are leaving every two hours for the much more remote city of Titisee-Neustadt
Titisee-Neustadt
Titisee-Neustadt is a municipality in the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is made up of the six communities of Neustadt, Langenordnach, Rudenberg, Titisee, Schwärzenbach and Waldau.The town of Neustadt is a spa known for its Kneipp hydrotherapeutic...
. Every hour, via Ulm station, regional trains are leaving for Memmingen
Memmingen
Memmingen is a town in the Bavarian administrative region of Swabia in Germany. It is the central economic, educational and administrative centre in the Danube-Iller region. To the west the town is flanked by the Iller, the river that marks the Baden-Württemberg border...
. The city of Schelklingen is member of the Donau-Iller regional traffic network Donau-Iller-Nahverkehrsverbund
Donau-Iller-Nahverkehrsverbund
The Donau-Iller-Nahverkehrsverbund is a regional transport cooperative that coordinates tickets and fares among all transport operators in the area of the city of Ulm and the districts of Alb-Donau, Biberach and Neu-Ulm....
.
Schelklingen is related to the supraregional road net via the Federal Road 492 (Bundesstraße 492) (Blaubeuren
Blaubeuren
Blaubeuren is a town in the district of Alb-Donau near Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.It has 11.963 inhabitants as of December 2007.-Coat of arms:...
–Ehingen
Ehingen
Ehingen is a town in the Alb-Donau district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, situated on the left bank of the Danube, approx. 25 km southwest of Ulm and 67 km southeast of Stuttgart.-Statistics:...
). Schelklingen has access to the Federal motorway system via the Federal Motorway A 8 (A 8
Bundesautobahn 8
is an autobahn in southern Germany that runs 497 km from the Luxembourg A13 motorway at Schengen via Neunkirchen, Pirmasens, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Ulm, Augsburg and Munich to the Austrian West Autobahn near Salzburg....
) – exit Merklingen
Merklingen
Merklingen is a town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
respectively Federal Motorway A 7 (A 7) – exit Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
/Langenau
Langenau
Langenau is a town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It is situated 14 km northeast of Ulm.-Transport:Langenau is located directly on the Autobahn A7 and near the A8...
.
Local enterprises
Larger plants of the HeidelbergCement AGHeidelbergCement
HeidelbergCement is a German cement and building materials company. It is currently the world's third largest cement producer, the market leader in aggregates and fourth in ready-mix concrete. In 2010 the company produced around 78 million tonnes of cement...
and Cooper Standard Automotive are located in the city.
Education
Schelklingen has an elementary school (Grundschule), an extended elementary school (Hauptschule) with a practical secondary school (Werkrealschule), all included in the Heinrich-Kaim-school, as well as four additional elementary schools in the parts of the town, all supervised by the municipality.In addition, the Urspring School (Urspringschule) offers high school studies (Gymnasium) accompanied by a boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, under the supervision of the Protestant Church. In addition to the Abitur, practical studies can be finished as well.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, where young people from of the age of 12 years onwards may obtain general schooling and occupational education.
Furthermore, four Roman Catholic, two municipal and one Protestant kindergarten exist in the town.
Culture and things to see
Library
The municipal public library is located in the Old Townhall. Its holdings are stored in an online library catalogue.Theatres
A theatre club exists, presenting popular performances. There is no theatre in the strict sense of the word any more.Museums
- Municipal museum in the former Hospital of the Holy Spirit (Spital zum Heiligen Geist)
Orchestras and clubs
- Musikverein Stadtkapelle Schelklingen
- Musikverein Schmiechen
- Brassband
- TSV Schelklingen
- Liederkranz Schelklingen
- DLRG
- Förderverein Freibad Schelklingen
Castles and manor houses
- On the city territory are located the ruins of the castles Hohenschelklingen, Muschenwang, Sirgenstein and Studach. Furthermore there are remains of the palaces of Hohenjustingen and of the medieval castle Neusteußlingen. In 1897 the Neusteußlingen castle was rebuilt in historicist style by the newspaper publisher and economic historian Eugen Nübling from UlmUlmUlm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
.
Religious buildings
- The Benedictine monastery of Urspring was founded in 1127. Some buildings date from approximately 1500 (two buildings for visitors and the east branch of the enclosure), otherwise mostly 17th century.
- The Sacred Heart of JesusSacred HeartThe Sacred Heart is one of the most famous religious devotions to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of His divine love for Humanity....
parish church was newly built in 1934. The former sacristy from the late Gothic period, today used as a sidechapel, and the church tower, in its lower parts stemming from Romanic times with hump square stones, were preserved. The upper part of the church tower and the onion tower were built by Joseph Cades in 1905.
- St. Afra-Chapel (built in the 14th century).
- Herz-Jesu-Chapel (built in 1708-9).
Parish and curate houses
- The old clergyman’s house, an impressive framework building, approximately built in 1600.
- The new clergyman’s house, originally a curate house, donated by the of Westernach noble family for the family altar in the Urspring monastery, later used as municipal chancellery (newly built in 1599).
- The curate house of the of Wernau noble family in the Kanzleigasse: a baroque building in the French style of that time, approximately built in 1750.
- The curate house of the Roth von Bußmannshausen noble family in the Stadtschreibereigasse: baroque building from approximately 1750, today strongly modified.
Houses of the nobility
- Hospital of the Holy Spirit (Spital zum Heiligen Geist), former residence of the lords of Wernau (built in the 14th century) with the hospital well.
- Bemelberg castle, residence of Konrad of Boyneburg (built approximately in 1550).
- Tavern of the Small Horse (Gasthaus zum Rößle), former residence of the nobleman Hans Reuß of Reußenstein (built in the second half of the 16th century).
- Stauffenberg castle, residence of the family of the Schenk of Stauffenberg (built approximately in 1600).
- Rennhof, residence of the noble family of the Renner of Allmendingen (built in the second half of the 16th century).
Municipal buildings
- The old townhall, in the centre of the Market Street, approximately built in 1450.
- The city walls: original parts have survived in the external walls of houses. The city wall is preserved up to its full height near the Bemelberg castle. A part of the city wall is was rebuilt near the Hospital of the Holy Spirit
- The back well (Hinterer Brunnen): public well.
Houses of citizens
- House of a citizen with a beautifully restored framework at the Maximilian-Kottmann-Platz (with an unidentified inscription at the south-eastern beam "R.C.I.R. 1544").
- House of a citizen-peasant (Ackerbürger) near the former back gate (Hinteres Tor), attached to the city wall, in the Stadtschreibereigasse, with restored framework (dated 1705).
- The so-called New House (Neues Haus), a baroque building of Franz Xaver Schalch, a steward of the Urspring monastery (built in 1717).
- Tavern of the Sun (Gasthaus zur Sonne), formerly called Gasthaus zur Güldenen Sonne, the oldest tavern and hotel (strongly rebuilt or newly built in 1724).
Sport
- Public outdoor swimming pool
- Skate board pipe
- Soccer place and sporting facilities in the Längental
Regular festivals
- Parade of Swabian-Alemannic carneval groups
- St. Nicolas market on the first Saturday of each December
- Peasant and weekly market each Wednesday a.m.
Culinaric specialties
Typical Swabian dishes (like SpätzleSpätzle
Spätzle are a type of egg noodle of soft texture found in the cuisine of Germany and of Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Alsace and South Tyrol.-History:The geographic origin of spätzle is not precisely...
, Maultaschen, Saure Kutteln
Saure Kutteln
Saure Kutteln is a Swabian specialty food, popular in the Swabian part of Baden-Württemberg as well as in the Province of Hohenzollern and Baden. It's often eaten with bread or with home fries. It was known as an extremely economical dish, since tripes were sold at a lower price than other meat...
, Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten is a German pot roast, usually of beef , marinated before cooking in a mixture of vinegar, water, spices and seasonings.Sauerbraten is traditionally served with red cabbage, potato dumplings , Spätzle,...
, etc.) are served by different restaurants and taverns.
Honorary citizens
The city of Schelklingen has awarded the rights of honorary citizenshipCitizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
to the following persons:
- 23 June 1879: Robert Rall (1841–1935), manufacturer of cotton cloth
- 9 March 1923: Heinrich Günter (1870–1951), professor of medieval history
- 22 November 1946: Max Kottmann (1867–1948), prelate and general curate
- 11 April 1956: Anton Fischer (1876–1956), mayor
- 2000: Rudolf Stützle, mayor
- Year?: Erich Karl (1924–), manager and local politician
Sons and daughters of the town
The following list contains important personalities, born in Schelklingen, arranged by year of birth. Persons are included in this list irrelevant of the fact if they lived and worked in Schelklingen later in their life or not.- Christoph von Stadion (* Schelklingen 1478, † Nürnberg 15 April 1543): Dr. iur., bishop of Augsburg 1517–1543
- Johannes Bumüller (* Schelklingen 29 December 1811, † Ravensburg 13 September 1890): Dr. phil., professor at a "Gymnasium", editor and Catholic writer
- Ludwig Lutz (*Schelklingen 27 August 1820, † Ellwangen/Jagst 1889): tinsmith master, manufacturer of tin toys in Ellwangen/Jagst; precursor of the MärklinMärklinGebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH or Märklin is a German toy company. The company was founded in 1859 and is based at Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg. Although it originally specialised in doll house accessories, today it is best known for model railways and technical toys...
toy factory - Franz Sales Günter (*Schelklingen 9 November 1830, † Oberndorf am Neckar 1 September 1901): since 1855 administrative official (Verwaltungsaktuar) of the district (Oberamt) of Oberndorf a.N., mayor (Stadtschultheiß) of Oberndorf a.N. from 1870-1899; he was granted the golden medal for civil merits (Goldene Zivilverdienstmedaille), the silver jubilee medal (Silberne Jubiläumsmedaille) by the King of Württemberg and the Osmanie order of the 4th class by the Turkish sultan
- Sebastian Luz (*Schelklingen 7 March 1836, † Freiburg/Breisgau 2 May 1898): painter of religious topics, historical motifs, portraits and land scapes
- Maximilian Kottmann (* Sotzenhausen near Schelklingen 16 June 1867, † Rottenburg am Neckar 22 March 1948): Dr. phil., Dr. theol. h.c., general curate of the diocese of Rottenburg, honorary senator of the University of Tübingen, 1946 honorary citizen of the city of Schelklingen and honorary citizen of Rottenburg am Neckar
- Heinrich Günter (* Schelklingen 15 February 1870, † Munic 13 Mai 1951): Dr. phil., Dr. theol. h.c., professor of history at the Universities of Tübingen and München, 1923 honorary citizen of the city of Schelklingen
- Heribert Jone (* Schelklingen 30 January 1885, † Stühlingen/Baden 25 December 1967): Dr. iur. can., Catholic priest, professor of canon law and moral theologist
Other important personalities
In this place well-known personalities are listed which in Schelklingen have spent parts of their life or have died there.- Johann Georg Wolcker the Older (* Burgau?, ∞ 1700 or earlier, † Augsburg?): baroque painter in Schelklingen
- Friedrich ListFriedrich ListGeorg Friedrich List was a leading 19th century German economist who developed the "National System" or what some would call today the National System of Innovation...
(* at the latest 6 August 1789 in Reutlingen; † 30 November 1846 in Kufstein, Austria): 1809-1810 tax renovator of the Kingdom of Württemberg in Schelklingen, author of the Schelklingen tax register of 1810 (2 volumes)
- Johann Georg Friedrich Reichenbach (* Montbéliard, France 22 Juni 1791 as son of the medical doctor (Kammerchirurgus) Wilhelm Heinrich Reichenbach, † Stuttgart 1873): founder and owner of the cotton weaving factory Urspring from 1832-1852, politician of the 1830s and 1840s (Vormärz)
- Robert Rall (* Eningen under Achalm 3 Juni 1841, † Ulm/Donau 2 März 1935): owner and director of the Mechanical Weaving Factory (Mechanische Weberei Urspring, MWU) from 1870-1930; on 23 June 1879 honorary citizen of the city of Schelklingen with the argument "that he treated his factory workers much better, more respectful and more just than it was usually the case"
- Franz Beyer (* Weingarten 26 February 1922 as son of Otto Paul Beyer, music director in Weingarten (* 12 September 1885, † Weingarten 22 November 1973) and of Anna Günter (* Schelklingen 16 July 1895, † Weingarten 7 January 1992)): retired professor for music at the University for Music and Theatre Munic (Hochschule für Musik und Theater München); spent the years of his youth in Schelklingen with his relatives there
- Erich Karl (* Ulm 1924), manager and local politician
- Marie-Louise Roth-Zimmermann (* Haguenau, Alsace 1 August 1926), literary scholar