Places in the state of Baden-Württemberg
31.03.2021: Neckarsulm: first mentioned in 771 as villa Sulmana when Pildroch inherited his property to the monastry Lorsch; stauferian property and len to the lords of Weinsberg; construction of castle Scheuerberg (best viewing point of the area) in 1218; city rights of Stat zu Sulme 1318; purchase by archbishop and elector of Trier (Balduin of Luxemburg) in 1335 for 22.000 pounds Heller; property exchange with teutonic order in 1484 (elector of Trier got Stadtprozelten from order); imperial circle Franconia from 1500; destruction of castle in peasants war in 1525; rebells had to built a winepress (Grosse Kelter) and government was moved to an old castle in the city (Castle of Teutonic Order; today German Motorcycle Museum); threatening of hessian and saxonian troups in 1546; occupation by swedish, bavarian, french and weimarian troups during 30 years war; 1664 franciscan friars monastry and church due to plague; further hostilities during war of the spanish succession; 1806 Kingdom Württemberg formed by Napoleon; 1866 railway connection (Franconia Railway); industrialization was started by Christian Schmidt, who bought the Brunnersche Mill and built a knitting machine company, that diversificated later in bicycles and motorcycles (NSU), it was bought and merged with Audi in 1969 by Volkswagen; more companies followed in 19th century; electricity since 1913; imprisoning of politicians not members of NSDAP during Third Reich but reduction of rising unemployment; american zone after second world war and formation of the federal state Württemberg-Baden; flood controll systems to avoid threatening of Audi facilities started in the 70s and are still improved; massive job reductions during energy crisis 1975 and early 90s recession; further insights, exhibitions and future strategy at Audi Forum; second largest employer is Schwarz Group (Lidl); pedestrian areas in historic city and restauration of framework houses started 2004; unfortunately for the city there is a terrorist organization with the same name (National Socialist Underground) that killed a policeman in the neighbour city Heilbronn in 2007
01.04.2021: Bad Wimpfen: prehistoric findings suggest old trading route to the Danube; 450 B.C. Helvetii have settled there; 98 A.D. conquest by romans and construction of forts, that lost in importance when empire was expanded 138 A.D. and city Civitas Alisinensium was founded; after withdrawal of the romans, alamanni governed the area from 260 A.D.; about 500 A.D. the city became part of Franconia of Clovis I; in 829 part of Bishopric Worms; 965 market rights by holy roman emperor and german king Otto I; probably since 1182 part of stauferian decentralized network of imperial castles (Kaiserpfalz Bad Wimpfen); landmark is the blue tower, that was renovated several years and reopened in 2022; most important meeting was in 1235 with holy roman emperor Frederick II and his son the german king Henry VII, which was about the relationship with the church, decentralization of power and city rights, which is the basis of federalism in todays Germany (confoederatio cun principibus ecclesiasticis vs. statutum in favorem principum); after decline of the Staufer empire imperial city with town constitution; focus point of reformation and thirty years war with population decline of 90 per cent; 1752 first holes to drill salt water; conflicts after the imperial recess of 1803 between states of Baden and Hesse, in favor of Hesse; salt production works founded in 1817; spa since 1835; neo-gothic train station from 1868 of the Elsenz Valley Railway; 1945 the american military government added the city to Baden; catholic church is still exclave of the Diocese of Mainz (Hesse)
02.04.2021: Bad Rappenau: 25 grave hill findings in the city forrest investigated (Siedlungsarcheologie der Hallstatt und Frueathenezeit im Raum Heilbronn); name presumably from Rappo, a settler of the 8th century; len of the bishopric of Worms; county of Wuerttemberg since 1344 with changing allodial property; in the german mediatisation Bad Rappenau came to Baden in 1806; 1822 a brine was discovered; salt storage originates from 200 million year old depositions of the triassic; 1845 a brine bath was opened; 1921 there were 84.500 overnight stays; 1936 county of Sinsheim; in 1970s there were 600.000 overnight stays; 1973 municipality of Heilbronn, part of regional council of Stuttgart; due to environmental concerns the area of the former saline works was completely cleaned and remodelled 2006; the historical brine conveyor system is exposed at the new saline park, also containing the gradiation tower
03.04.2021: Hassmersheim: a chapel was donated by the imperial chancellor, the archbishop and elector of Mainz in 1393, Guttenberg castle was mentioned in the corresponding documents; the castle was a fief of the the prince-bishopric of Worms to the counts of Weinsberg to secure custom duties; 1449 the property was sold by the bishop of Wuerzburg, the guardian of their descendants, to Hans von Gemmingen, whose descendants are still owner of the castle; it survived reformation, peasants war, thirty years war and the nine years war; the castle is famous for the german bird of prey center; guardianships for the birds are offered; 1973 municipality of Heilbronn, which is part part of the
04.04.2021: Gundelsheim: Horneck castle was built around 1200 and donated to the Teutonic Order in 1254 by the counts of Horneck; it was destroyed in the german peasants war in 1525; reconstruction in renaissance style 1533; reconstruction into baroque style in 1728; secularization by Napoleon in 1809 and given to the kingdom of Wuerttemberg; privatization in 1824; 1873 brewery; 1896 private sanatorium; since 1960 nursing home for the elderly and property of the transylvanian museum; dealing with transylvanian saxon culture arosen from the high medieval migration of ethnic germans to the territory of present day Romania
05.04.2021: Neckarzimmern: according to legens, Notburga, the daughter of the last merovingian frankish king Dagobert 1 lived in Hornberg castle 650 AD; first record from 1184 as property of the counts of Lauffen; 1216 it went to the counts of Dürn; 1259 sold to the bishopric of Speyer; 1464 Speyer gave len to the counts Schott von Schottenstein; due to morganatic marriage it went to Electoral Palatinate in 1474; it was fought it back in 1504; from 1517 until 1562 Götz von Berlichingen lived in the castle, he was a mercenary and involved in several feuds; among others he was the leader of the Odenwald troups in the german peasants war; emperor Maximilian I placed him twice under imperial ban, twice he got prisoned (by the cities of Heilbronn and Augsburg); Goethe wrote a play based on his autobiography (resume Götz von Berlichingen); 1612 the castle was bought by Reinhard von Gemmingen and is still in possession of the family today
06.0402021: Zwingenberg: Zwingenberg castle built in the 13th century by William of Wimpfen (vassal of the counts of Hohenlohe and Hohenstaufen) on a hill at the confluence of the geological impressive “wolfs gorge” and the Neckar river; first mentioning 1326 for his nephew, who called himself Zwingenberg; 1363 the castle was destroyed by the emperor because the Zwingenbergs were robber knights; 1403 the property went to the lord of Hirschhorn by the ecclesiastical electorate of Mainz and the Palatinate; when his line died out in 1632 a dispute for the succession between the electorate and the chancellery started, the electorate won by selling it to the chancellery; 1806 when the palatinate was divided by Napoleon, the grand duke of Baden bought it by his own means; the owner today is Louis, Prince of Baden living there; the Wolfs gorge (is a wild, humid, stormy and mystical canyon, owned by the prince (Forrestry Zwingenberg) to explore at own risk
07.04.2021: Eberbach: Eberbach castle was first recorded in 1196 as len of the counts of Lauffen; 1227 len was given by bishop of Worms to king Henry VII; imperial immediacy until 1330; then Electorate Palatinate of the Rhine; 1402 destruction by the owners the counts of Hirschhorn due bad investments; wild boars, the name givers of the village are still along the Holderbach, there are also public facilities
08.04.2021: Lohrbach: Lohrbach castle is kept since the 1980s by a non commercial public-private partnership enabled by the state monument office; it was first mentioned around 1000 AD as fief of the counts of Lauffen; their descendants joined the order of St. John who complained about the neglect by count Eberhard I of Wuerttemberg in 1299 and sold it to the counts of Limpurg; purchase by the Electoral Palatinate in 1413; 1803 counts of Leiningen until 1947 (history of Lohrbach castle)
14.04.2021: Wertheim: first mentioned in 1180; castle built by branch of noble family Reginbodo; poetry about counts by Wolfram von Eschenbach (Parzival and count Poppo II); city rights in 1306; destruction of castle in 30years war by imperial and bavarian troups after occupation by swedish army; rennovation 1982 by the state of Baden-Württemberg, in parts ongoing; event space owned by city
Places in the state of Bavaria
15.04.2021: Kreuzwertheim: prehistoric human findings; first recorded by the abbey of Fulda in the year 779; market rights 1009 by last ottonian emperor Henry II; branch of noble family Reginbodo named itself Wertheim in 1137 and made investments in the area; 1736 construction of castle by counts of Löwenstein-Wertheim, still living there and responsible for forrestry and regenerative energies
16.04.2021: Hasloch: Grünau Charterhouse, ruined buildings of a former carthusian monastery situated in a valley of the Spessart forrest, northern part of South German Scarplands; 1216 chapel built, 1328 charterhouse built and run by carthusian monastry, 1525 peasants war, reformation and property of counts, 1629 imperial edict and property given to order, 1631 thirty years war and swedish troups, 1635 property went to counts again, 1803 secularization and dissolution of monastry; 1806 napoleonic county Aschaffenburg and Grand Dutchy of Frankfurt, 1815 kingdom and later state of Bavaria;
17.04.2021: Marktheidenfeld: first mentioned 855 as territory of the Prince Bishopric Fulda; 1530 reformation and territory of the counts of Wertheim; after their extinction in 1612 Prince Bishopric Wuerzburg; after 30 years war different line of counts of Wertheim; later Prince Bishopric of Wuerzburg again; history of property rights and graves of owners in St. Laurentius Church; bridge over the river of Main built by king Ludwig I from Bavaria after the congress of Vienna and the formation of the new state of Bavaria, to connect former rival areas of the new entity; destruction by german troups in 1945, reerection, now property of the Federal Republik of Germany (since on a waterway, discussions about future use)
18.04.2021: Neustadt am Main: Forsthaus Aurora, situated on a hill of the Spessart forrest; private property of the counts of Wertheim (history of interdependence with bishoprics, kings and emperors; today part of three federal states and several districts with different legislations)
19.04.2021: Lohr: settlements from bronce age, capital city of the County of Rieneck; disputes with the archbishop of Mainz (they bought this property and where from Mainz); city rights confirmed by emperor Ludwig “the Bavarian” in 1333; in 1559 the fief passed to the Archbishopric of Mainz; later to Wuerzburg on the other side of the river; due to witchcraft during “recatholization” in early 17th century, secularization to Principality of Aschaffenburg (fief of Archbishop from Regensburg); 1810 city went to Bavaria in exchange for other territories by Napoleon (temporary code civil); from the literature perspective the inspiration for the “snow white” fairytale written by Grimm brothers lived in the castle of the counts (today Spessart museum); historic old town tour with impressive description of working conditions, deaths and diseases with medieval leather processing industry (long time main source of income)
20.04.2021: Gemünden: situated at the confluence of the three rivers Sinn, Franconian Saale and Main; first written allocation rule from 1243 between prince bishop of Würzburg and the counts from Rieneck (two thirds of the castle complex and half of the settlement was property of prince bishop and his state, other parts of count and their state); the first castle was built before by counts of Rieneck to control river traffic and regulate the customs to the state of Würzburg on the other side of the river of Main, later the bishop built a second castle above it; In 1469 the whole castle complex went to the price bishop of Würzburg; In the 18th century it fell into ruins; in 1825 it went into private ownership, in 1965 it became the property of the town. When I was there the flag of the house and state of Luxemburg was hoisted (obviously responsible for the allocation and distribution rules of some entities and their financial and medical recording); the property of the house of Luxemburg was also expropriated several times by several powers, that is probably why they have two national states now given by the pope (Luxemburg and Liechtenstein), and social groups identify themselves with it.
21.04.2021: Rieneck: first mentioning of castle in 790 AD, 1168 counts of Rieneck sold to merchand from Mainz, conflict between prince bishopric of Mainz and prince bishopric of Wuerzburg because of fief and morals, 1333 town privilleges by emperor, later division of areas between Mainz and Wuerzburg, unification and redivision; 1806 napoleonic county Aschaffenburg and Grand Dutchy of Frankfurt, 1815 kingdom and later state of Bavaria
22.04.2021: Gräfendorf: Trettstein falls, valley with several little waterfalls at southern entrance to Rhön; rise of wood prices at that time; several building projects stopped; primarily exports: continued volatiliy and changing value chains expected; tree hotel nearby
23.04.2021: Burgsinn: water castle (still private property, owner living in France)
24.04.2021: Obersinn: Bavaria, tourists due to checkered flower routes next to the border of the states of Bavaria and Hessen (derrived from old agriculture and watering methods) and medival village; interestingly there are also many of them in the next village Altengronau (Hessen), not marketing them, so there is nobody; disputes about the railway connection over former territory of Prussia took 30 years in 19th century; less years for the construction of the highspeed train in the 80s, renewed recently
Places in the state of Hessen
25.04.2021: Altengronau: Hessen, first mentioned 780 (timeline territorial and judical organization); some old industry ruins of the time the county went to Hessen-Kassel and centuries later to Prussia; obiously there where some structural corrections and different priorities, when ownership and liability changed, much agriculture today
26.04.2021: Zeitlofs: Bavaria, start of Rhoen cycling highway on old railway route direction Bad Brueckenau.
27.04.2021: Schwarzenfels: Hessen, castle ruin at entrance to the Rhön. built by lords of Rieneck 1180, later counts of Hanau, destroyed in 30years war; then county of Hessen-Kassel; later Prussia; now state of Hessen supported by a social club, engaged to generate revenues with diverse events and projects.
28.04.2021: Steckelberg: castle ruin in the Spessart (first mentioned 1131, probably built by Lords of Steckelberg to control the transport routes along the mountain bay, still active today only by cargo train; spectacular destruction by Rudolf I of Habsburg in 1276; later reerected and destroyed again several times)
29.04.2021: Ramholz: castle (built by Lords of Steckelberg; compare governmental administrative history of the area)
30.04.2021: Hutten: village and origin of old franconian farmers, later nobility von Hutten who took over Steckelberg and Ramholz, (under emperor Karl V Habsburg, one son was reformator, the other priest, the third colonialist)
01.05.2021: Flieden: northern entrance and exit of Spessart, Fuldaer Schwartenmagen at Krackhof (outdoor, nice, despite strict rules); inhabitants call the village kingdom; crown in blazon due to legends rooted in napoleonic coalition wars and industrialization (rail commuting)
02.05.2021: Neuhof: village around Mount Kali (impressive white mountain with potash mining, tours and events
05.05.2021: Fulda: medieval cathedral with shrine of St. Boniface (anglo-saxon monk, who founded the east franconian church, as an attempt to create a german state, as apostle of the germans, got protected by the emperor Karl Martell and killed by the free frisians in 754)
06.05.2021: Hofbieber: situated in the hessian part of rhoen nature park, covering also territories of todays federal states of Thuringia and Bavaria having different political constellations; several locations for star observations; earliest tools from hunters and gatherers of stone ages found; Hermunduri recorded as the first tribe in the area, and having border conflicts with the Chatti (ongoing, check todays areas and flags of the states of Hessen and Thuringia); conquest of the area by franks in 500 AD, followed by the carolingian feudal system in 900 AD; reduction of population by several waves of plague and thirty years war; french department, since the king of the Netherlands as new owner did not want to join the napoleonic Confederation of the Rhine, property rights but war against Prussia and Russia in early 19th century; after congress of vienna state of Prussia, then Hesse in exchange for other areas; rarely change of poor living conditions and famine during centuries; after second world war some sort of no mans land since next to the iron curtain; local historians of Hofbieber still lack proper systematization of the events until today; extraordinary supermarket also offering a range of rare “ironic” products, making you smile (“you never can do it anybody right”) and cooperating with an italian region for water management.
07.06.2021: Milseburg: landmark and former vulcano; known settlements since stone age; ruins of pre roman celtic opidum (namenclature from Cesar); later legends about fights between good and evil (god and devil, Gangolf and Mils); chapel on top mentioned in 1493, forcibly financed by counts of Eberstein; celtic settlement discovered at railway construction in the 19th century; parts of the wall and terassements for former houses are still visible
08.06.2021: Tann: name first mentioned in hiberno-scottish mission and probably reminding of a place where they came from (like Uster, the river passing it); fief of area given to counts of Tann by Princely Abbey of Fulda; after mediatization states of Bavaria, Wuerzburg, Bavaria, Hessen-Nassau (Prussia), Hessen (since 1945); during cold war the area was surrounded by iron curtain
Places in the state of Thuringia
09.06.2021: Empfertshausen: frankish speeking catholic area in todays country of Thuringia; first mentioned in 825 in a deed of donation to the monastry of Fulda issued by „Orentil“ and „Francswind“; later the area went to the benedictine monastry of Zella, founded 1136; since 1328 administrative district of Fischberg put under lordship of the House of Henneberg; destroyed during the great peasants wars of 1524; 1583 inherited to the House of Wettin; religious tensions during 16th century; destruction in 30 years war; 1707 the monastry Fulda got area back; 1715 until 1735 construction of new church Mariä Himmelfahrt; sekularization and country of Prussia in Congress of Vienna 1815; transfered to country Saxe-Weimar in the same year; 1922 to 1950 county of Eisenach (now Wartburgkreis); 1952 part of Bezirk Suhl within the German Democratic Republic; since 1990 country of Thuringia within the Federal Republic of Germany (similar flag as Hesse); best view from Katzenstein, obviously planned for elites of NS regime as old peoples home, then socialist purposes, now hotel
10.06.2021: Dermbach: castle built 1707 by prince bishopric of Fulda; since congress of Vienna county belonged to Sachsen Weimar Eisenach; Rhönpaulus is a famous thief and smuggler. active in the area in the 18th century; famous for the battle of Dernbach between Prussia and Bavaria; state of Thuringia; landmark is the Baier mountain with prehistoric walls and gravehills
11.06.2021: Bad Salzungen: prehistoric settlement with salt deposits already used by celts; first mentioned 775 in a document from Charlemagne; 1160 castle Schnepfenburg; 1295 House of Nassau; 1306 city rights; 1524 german peasants war; 30 years war; 1680 until 1920 Dutchy of Saxe-Meiningen; state of Thuringia; castle lake with medical facilities, hospitality and residencial area
12.06.2021: Kloster Allendorf: Frankenstein castle first mentioned 816 as fief of Karl von Frankenstein; king Henry the Fowler gave territory to Hersfeld Abbey in 10th century; 1150 an augustinian monastry was founded in the valley; the castle (Counts of Henneberg) was responsible for trade and protection; castle was destroyed 1265; reerection and redestruction, fief of Fulda Abbey 1311; 1347 death of last Frankenstein family member and decay of castle; today ruins with viewing point over the area
13.06.2021: Schweina: stream first mentioned 933; settlement in 1183; mining until the 19th century; spinning mill in 1824; tobacco pipe production 1846; known for the work of the pedagogue Friedrich Fröbel
14.06.2021: Bad Liebenstein: castle Burg Liebenstein built 1386 by counts von Stein; healing springs discovered 1610 by count of Saxe-Meiningen; development of cultural life; spa gardens from 1799; history exhibition and water degustation at the foyer hall; results of geological surveys and connectivity of tunnel system below hill gardens next to treading pool (pressure-temperature-time path)
15.06.2021: Altenstein Palace and Park; spiritual location already before christianization of Thuringia; fief given by monastry of Fulda to noble family von Stein; 1346 sovereignity disputes in favor of the landgraves of Thuringia; 1554 destroyed by landgrave of Ansbach; rebuilt 1736 as castle for the dukes of Saxe-Meiningen; graves of the last dukes with the inscription “love thy neighbor as thyself”, because they have always been offended for their property during and after mnarchy; today castle and park are state property; the area was part of the Federal Horticulture Show 2021
16.06.2021: Steinbach: Luther monument at the place Luther was hostaged by the army of Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, on his way back from the imperial diet in Worms and imprisoned in the Wartburg in 1521
17.06.2021: Ruhla: situated in Erbstrom valley along former tropical Ruhlaer island formed in paleozoic era when the continent Pangäa was formed by collision of the north continent Old-Red-Kontinent and the south continent Gondwana (route 9 of the GeoPark); cultural history started with mining, continued with tobacco pipes and watches (museum for tobacco pipes and watch and clock museum); the watch “Fearless” produced 1892 in serial production was 3 Marks, a fraction of usual international prizes at this time, but the workers had to walk several kilometers over the hills to the factory and back every day; there wes no public transport or cars; expropriation after second world war; socialism, privatization; miniature parc; best view from Carl-Alexander-Turm, built in 1867 of wood, but remodelled of medal 1898
19.06.2021: Thal: castle ruin Scharfenberg, first mentioned in 1137 in a document confirming the flow of goods to a hospital in a monastry; in the following years the domination and control of goods traffic was disputed between the bishopric in Fulda and the owners of the castle; until the thuringian war of succession in 1247 documents are missing
20.06.2021: Eisenach: 1040 Louis the Bearded received a fief from the archbishop of Mainz, his descendents expanded their possessions and built the castle Wartburg; Luther translated the new testament and annotations into saxon language there in 1521 in a controversy with the archbishop of Mainz regarding the interpretation of the greek and latin version; the translation facilitated the development of the written standard german language; 1896 Heinrich Erhardt founded an automobile factory (Automobilwerk Eisenach) and produced Wartburg cars, licensed by the french Decauville automobile; due to reparations it was acquired 1928 by BMW that started production of the first BMW cars in Eisenach; 1945 it became soviet property and was handed over to the new founded German Democratic Republic as state owned enterprise (VEB) in 1952; Opel since unification in 1992; the museum Automobile World Eisenach is located in the former administration building of BMW
21.06.2021: Wutha-Farmroda: best view (feels like from the eastern to western border of todays Germany from Dresden to Aachen) from Hörselberg with different caves named after the conflict between religion and the forces of nature
22.06.2021: Gotha: 1640 until 1826 residence town of ernestine wettins; the county Saxe-Gotha was created by estate settlement (Ernestinische Teilung); Friedenstein Castle was built 1643 during the 30 years war by Ernest I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg; 1826 until 1918 residence town of the county of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; the house of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is originating there; 1920 state of Thuringia; 1952 dissolution of states and creation of districts in the German Democratic Republik; District Erfurt; 1990 Thuringia; Gotha was a birthplace of the german insurance business
23.06.2021: Weberstedt: National Parc Hainich; the monastry Ihlefeld was first mentioned in 1110 and bought by Katharinen monastry in Eisenach in 1442; the monks treated travellers, and the freely given money was hidden under a still existing tree (Betteleiche), 1525 Ihlefeld was sold to the lords of Hopffgarten; military training area on the former area of the monastry 1968 until 1990; another highlight is the iron hand indicating complicated directions for trade routes and justice on the Hainich; view over the area from the treetop path
Places in the state of Lower Saxony
28.07.2021: Elze: foundation of church and diocese at his eastphalian court by Charlemagne in 800; to a legend his son king of the Franks Louis the Pious lost a religious relict in the forrests and when finding it in a rose bush founded the bishopric of Hildesheim, where the Thousand-year Rose is still alive in a court of the cathedral built at 865 (now world heritage site); 1235 souverain state status (prince bishopric) by imperial diet; 1519 til 1523 Hildesheim Diocesan Feud with Welf Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg; result was incorporation into Principality of Calenberg (House of Hanover); later in personal union with Great Britain; Prussia, Lower Saxony (Federalism, Confederalism)
29.07.2021: Salzhemmendorf: jurassic cliffs on northern and limestone quarries on western part of Thüster Berg (thüster chalk); salt water baths Ith Therme
30.07.2021: Ockensen: water tree (natural monument; due to a miller who built two ponds and a fountain to indicate him water availability for his mill; the fountain now is the “tree”, still growing with the calcareous water transforming into tufa and petrification of mosses loving the humidity), sulphur springs on the other side of the Ith elevation, recently promoted by the locals there
01.08.2021: Lauenstein: tribes and chiefs, barons of Homburg, Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Bishopric of Hildesheim, Hildesheim Diocesan Feud (administrative division), Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, napoleonic France, Kingdom of Hanover, Kingdom of Prussia, Niedersachsen. Locations: castle ruin, Ith tower, Ith way, Rudorff Parc (landmark in nature protection legislation)
02.08.2021: Coppenbrügge: situated at bottom of northern Ith cliffs with different rock formations; following ownerships: tribes and chiefs, bishop of Hildesheim, counts of Spiegelberg, counts of Lippe, counts of Gleichen, counts of Nassau-Diez, counts of Nassau-Oranien, Westphalia, Nassau-Oranien, Kingdom of Hannover, Kingdom of Prussia, Niedersachsen; famous visit of Peter the Great from Russia on his way to Jacob de Wilde in Holland on his “Grand Embassy”, due to an invitation of the prince electrices of Hannover and Brandenburg preventing a war between Austria and Prussia (that is why many places in the area have diplomatic names); locations: castle; visitor mine,(mining from 1585 to 1926); miners way route at Nesselberg; Dörpe artist and crafting community
03.08.2021: Bad Münder: old border stones marking former territories of the states of Hessen (nettle) and Hannover (horse), reorganized several times; situated in the middle of Osterwald, Deister and Süntel elevations; history of all sorts of mining, also often reorganized; glas production since several hundred years, due to quartz sand in the region (recent history); spa village with several parks and cultural offers; graduation plant; online city development poll (Simcity without administrative procedures, budgets, taxes and subsidies; enabled by the community-led local development programme of the EU)
02.08.2021: Nienstedt: Anna tower (mathematican Gauss in 1820 proposed and get task to conduct a geodetic survey of kingdom of Hannover, at this time european states were broke and people hungry, as often before and after)
03.08.2021: Barsinghausen: tribes and chiefs, Frankish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, Dutchy of Saxony, independent monastry (Order of Saint Augustine) and knighthoods, reorganized by Principality of Calenberg, Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Electorate of Hanover, Prussia, Lower Saxony; cultural history especially monastery mine; today truckstop, traffic and logistics center, Nordmannsturm (view over Deister, Suentel, Bueckeberge, Calenberger Land, map), Deister Alm
04.08.2021: Bad Nennendorf: tribes and chiefs, Frankish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, County of Schaumburg (division in 1640); Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel (founding of sulpur springs and history of baths); exit Holy Roman Empire, entry Rhine Confederation, Kingdom Westphalia (residence of King Jerome Bonaparte), entry Prussia, province of Hessen-Nassau, province of Hanover, British zone (reeducation camp), Niedersachsen (district Schaumburg, former prussian administrative units Regierungspraesidien (regions) were abolished for budgetary reasons), Brunnentempel, Landgrafentherme (baths)
05.08.2021: Stadthagen: castle and former residence of the Count of Schauenburg (history, now tax office of Niedersachsen); princely mausoleum; renaissance town hall; history of mining in the area
06.08.2021: Bueckeburg: Landpartie (fair of preciousnesses in the garden of the present count of Schaumburg, country until 1946; now district of the state of Lower Saxony; bearer of the nettle leaf from Nesselberg in his coat of arms; his ancestors were intended to conquer Denmark for the Holy Roman Empire from Holstein; he was also given by the emperor, Denmark did not agree with; Schleswig now as then has two lions in his coat of arms, and Denmark three; Holstein before had different coat of arms, bur is wearing the nettle still today in its flag)
07.08.2021: Minden: Wittekind mountain and castle with Porta Westphalica (symbol of independence of Saxony, later of german unity with emperor William I monument, actually he was forced to become emperor, since he already had enough problems with Prussia), Minden cathedrral, Prussian Museum (Prussia and Westphalia) and forts, waterway intersection, Schachts lock
08.08.2021: Hille: Wiehen mountains (Germanys most northern low mountain range, parts are todays frontier between the federal states of North Rhine Westphalia and Niedersachsen) Grosses Torfmoor
09.08.2021: Espelkamp: castle of Benkhausen, german Coin Operated Machines Museum (steadily growing by international acquisitions), Gauselmann Group owner of the Merkur Casino brand and several amusement concepts (family run, also steadily growing by competition regulations and social engagement)
10.08.2021: Rahden, Preußisch Ströhen: several historic administrative structures; most northern point of todays german federal state North Rhine Westphalia (open park with artistic solar and planetary calculations with daily, monthly and yearly variations); Auenland Draisinen (private ownership)
11.08.2021: Wagenfeld, Hannover Ströhen (today german federal state of Niedersachsen): Moorlands
12.08.2021: Lemfoerde: BASF Polymeres (innovations), Ochsenmoor nature observation
13.08.2021: Lembruch: route “Duemmer See“, British Yacht Club; development project Marissa Park
14.08.2021: Diepholz: castle (saxon chiefs, lordship of Diepholz, duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Electorate Hanover, Kingdom of Hanover, Prussia, Niedersachsen), Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen (new technologies), Diepholzer Moor (powered by Lebensbaum food foundation)
15.08.2021: Barnstorf: Wintershall research, increase in efficiency of oil production (technology, biological artificial intelligence)
16.08.2021: Goldenstedt: recreational area Hartensbergsee, Beach Club
17.08.2021: Visbek: Christianization of Saxony; Wöstendöllen, “Egypt” (natural cultural and administrative history), natural reserve Herrenholz (Visbek and Goldenstedt)
18.08.2021: Visbek: Engelmannsbäke Inn, route of megalithic culture, Visbeker Braut und Bräutigam, Heidenopfertisch (stone age myths)
19.08.2021: Grossenkneten: Ahlhorn (former airfield area, airship port in WWI, Luftwaffe airfield in WWII, UK royal air force, US airforce, Bundeswehr, Business Park)
20.08.2021: Grossenkneten: Döhlen, Huntloser Moor, gas extraction by ExxonMobil and local biogas producers
21.08.2021: Grossenkneten: Huntlosen (castle until confessional fief war), Hegeler Wald (reforestation after century storm 1972), Barneführer Holz (nature reserve)
22.08.2021: Wardenburg: Tilly hill and lake (named after enemy, general of catholic league), now natural reserve
23.08.2021: Edewecht: tree schools, villages named after former landlords (f.e. Jeddeloh 1 and 2)
24.08.2021: Bad Zwischenahn: Open Air Farming Museum (dealing with division of labor in 17th century), Rügenwalder Mühle (traditional food brand), Park of Gardens, Casino, ship cruise
25.08.2021: Westerstede: private and public Parcs and Gardens, development projects water tower, old station; Voss Chokolade Hotel, EWE energy and communication (public, private, antitrust)
26.08.2021: Uplengen, Remels: castle (frisian chiefs, East Frisia, Oldenburg, East Frisia, Prussia, Niedersachsen), Nordgeorgsfehn Canal, Porta Polonica (graves of polish soldiers, celebrated as saviors); projects: re-watering Neudorfer Moor and Erlebnispfad Stapeler Moor, cycling with node system
27.08.2021: Wiesmoor: Torf- und Siedlungsmuseum (colonization, from hut to house, living conditions); High Tech Adventure Minigolf, mud bath Ottermeer (beach, camping)
28.08.2021: Großefehn: Marcardsmoor Holtrop, Ems-Jade-Kanal, history of bog cultivation
29.08.2021: Aurich: castle and territorial diet (Chauci, frisian, saxon and anglian tribes; Prussia, Hannover, Prussia, Hannover, Prussia, Niedersachsen, timeline of municipal reforms)
30.08.2021: Aurich: Energy- and Education Center, Enercon Infopath
01.09.2021: Tannhausen: cemetary for russian forced labourers in word war II (project rememberance plates), lake with Northbound Beach *(wakeboarding, acquapark, bar, cottages)
02.09.2021: Großheide: Eternal Sea, history of bog cultivation and reclamation (Moorkultivierung und Urbahrmachungsedikt), Grossheide castle (from frisians over religious spirits to human care)
03.09.2021: Hage: Berum castle, (from frisians to catholic widow seats and the king of Prussia)
04.09.2021: Luetesburg: Luetetsburg castle (park, cafe and shop), history of property rights
05.09.2021: Norden: Ostfriesisches Teemuseum, history of property rights in the early carolingian empire
Places along Wadden Sea
06.09.2021: Norddeich: implementation of masterplan with new beaches and promenade; ferry harbor to islands of Norderney and Juist, leisure harbor
07.09.2021: Nessmersiel: beach; yachting- and ferry harbor with harbor sink including bird sanctuary, walks to island of Baltrum during low tide possible
08.09.2021: Westaccummersiel: old trading harbor with Captain House, Zwei-Siele-Museum, last significant modifications of village and drainage after flood in 1962; ongoing work, Siel – und Schöpfwerkanlage, beach, leisure harbor
09.09.2021: Dornum: northern castle, western castle, eastern castle, history of farming and seafare, settling and frisian history, birthplace of Enno Wilhelm Hektor (author of east frisian anthem)
10.09.2021: Esens: financial history of town houses on nearly every building; history of old castle from chiefs to Prussia
11.09.2021: Bensersiel: archeological findings Ostbense, futuristic dike bridges, Siel – und Schöpfwerkanlage, yachting– fishery- and traffic harbour, ferry to island Langeoog
12.09.2021: Neuharlingersiel: Sielhof, grab cutter port, different beaches including lounges and activities, yachting and ferryboat to island of Spiekeroog
13.09.2021: Carolinensiel: land reclamation area, museum harbour Carolinensiel, museum path, Jansses Fish Boutique
14.09.2021: Harlesiel: yacht- and trafficport, different beaches, airport with flights to island of Wangerooge, Goldene Linie (still controversal); major flooding at Wangeroge in 1855
15.09.2021: Minsen: Minsen Mermaid Statue, Info Camp Elisabethgrodendeich, conversion of former clay area and barracks into leisure, activity and nature park Wangermeer Hohenkirchen
16.09.2021: Wangermeer Hohenkirchen
17.09.2021: Horumersiel: Schillig beach, today discussion of possible strategic positionings of Wangerland tourism and competitors: in the past the 1918 german revolution started there.
18.09.2021: Hocksiel: old harbour, artificial lake with wakeboard, funsport and marina facilities, ocean beach including surfing and kitesurfing
19.09.2021: Wilhelmshaven: JadeWeserPort Infocenter, deep water port; change of ownership structure and investors; Information Center Caverns (national oil and gas reserves)
20.09.2021: Wilhelmshaven: walk “Wilhelmshaven and the revolution of 1918“, German Navy Museum, Wadden Sea Visitor Center
21.09.2021: Mariensiel, Sande: climate path, interpretation of past developments and future challenges, competition Friesland and Ostfriesland
22.09.2021: Dangast: unique position in the area, since geestlands are reaching to the seaside, famous Kurhaus, former artist colony
23.09.2021: Varel: frisian chiefs. Dutchy of Oldenburg and Bentinck, napoleonic departement Bouche du Weser, Grand Dutchy of Oldenburg, state of Oldenburg, Lower Saxony; stock-exchange of ideas as latest investment project; controversal discussion about disinvestment in machinery and air industries (disvestment of Airbus; investor relations Airbus)
24.09.2021: Varel Hafen: remains of Christiansborg built by Christian V of Denmark as heir of Anton-Guenter of Oldenburg; vivid England trade in 19th century, first exception from continental blockade, due to Bentinck family; then napoleonic departement Bouche du Weser; state of Oldenburg; extension of harbor; later fishery, farming and leisure infrastructure; Lower Saxony
25.09.2021: Sehestedt: floating moorland
26.09.2021: Seefeld: Seefeld Mill
27.09.2021: Eckwarden: Hafen, Ferry to Wilhelmshaven, old pier, Eckwarderhörne
28.09.2021: Tossens: Center Parc
29.09.2021: Fedderwardersiel: small fishery harbor, old fairway to the port of Bremerhaven, Weservertiefung, Morphodynamics, economic geography
29.09.2021: Burhave: tourism, several beaches for several purposes
30.09.2021: Blexen: landmark St. Hippolyt Church, former country of Rüstringen, Asega history of law
01.10.2021: Bremerhaven: German Emigration Center
02.10.2021: Imsum: Ochsenturm, three villages dispute about church location
03.10.2021: Wremen: local history site with astonishing facts and stories, fishery harbor, little tourism
04.10.2021: Dorum: History and Dike Museum Land Wursten
05.10.2021: Dorum-Neufeld, Spieka-Neufeld: small fishery harbors, long history of agriculture and migration starting with Chauci, little tourism, lighthouse Obereversand
06.10.2021: Nordholz: Bundeswehr naval airbase museum Aeronauticum
07.10.2021: Cuxhaven-Berensch-Arensch: Megalith excavations and graves, no consistent timeline and explanations after the romans
07.10.2021: Cuxhaven-Sahlenburg: shortest way to the isle of Neuwerk (part of Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park)
08.10.2021: Cuxhaven-Döse: Elbmündung, most northern point of state of Niedersachsen, landmark Kugelbake
09.10.2021: Cuxhaven: Alte Liebe, castle of Ritzebüttel, energy balance Germany and project Mittelplate
09.10.2021: Cuxhaven-Altenbruch: tower and information center historical dykes, land of Hadeln, firehouse, lock, marina, offshore industry
10.10.2021: Otterndorf: historic port within exclave of the former dutchy of Saxe-Lauenburg, history of city fires (archbishop against duke) and complicated jurisdiction
11.10.2021: Neuhaus an der Oste: historic port, saxon tribes, prince-archbishopric of Bremen and Verden until 30 years war, ,early investments of english and swedish companies
11.10.2021: Cadenberge: Manor system and park
12.10.2021: Freiburg an der Elbe: historic port, tribes, former prince-archbishopric of Bremen and Verden until 30 years war, foreign investment
13.10.2021: Wischhafen: marshlands, tribes, Duchy of Bremen and Verden, trade with tariff uncertainity until 20th century (up to six import tolls), Kehdinger Küstenschiffahrts-Museum, Elbfähre
Places in the state of Schleswig Holstein
14.10.2021: Glückstadt: marshlands, historic Dutchy of Holstein, foundation of Christian IV of Denmark, modern constitutional history
15.10.2021: Beidenfleth: peace talks Gudfred and Charlemagne, medieval constitutional history
16.10.2021: Wilster: historical warehouse and old town hall
17.10.2021: Sachsenbande, marshlands, lowest point of Germany
18.10.2021: Burg, geestlands, forrest museum with geoinformation center, history of modern inland shipping
19.10.2021: St. Michaelisdonn: geestlands; higher areas (now leisure airport and golf course) had to be evacuated and left after drawning at the beginning of 17th century, revitalization started with floodings in later 17th century and lasted until 20th century, crowdfunding windmill Edda
20.10.2021: Gudendorf and Windbergen: old farming industry, early settlements due to Wotansberg and secure harbor in the basin
21.10.2021: Meldorf: Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage, winner of Energy Olympics of Schleswig Holstein in 2019.
22.10.2021: Meldorf: port, lock, Speicherkoog, marina and surfing area
23.10.2021: Büsumer Deichhausen: Trischen, moving island
24.10.2021: Büsum: port, fishery, tourism, ferryport to island of Helgoland (taxfree shopping)
25.10.2021: Wesselburen: Kohlosseum, history of earth, agriculture and technology in this area in a simple way compared with the Roman Empire; Wesselburen still exists; check the money project for explanation of the collapse of the empire
26.10.2021: Wesselburenerkoog: Eider-Sperrwerk und Schleusse
27.10.2021: Garding: birhplace Theodor Mommsen, nobelprize for literature, roman law system
28.10.2021: St. Peter-Ording: lighthouse St. Peter-Boehl
29.10.2021: St. Peter-Ording: beaches, stilt houses
30.10.2021: Osterhever: floodings and land reclamation projects
31.10.2021: Westerheversand: Lighthouse
01.11.2021: Tönning: old port, Eider River and Bank Development
02.11.2021: Odenswort: Birthplace of Toennis, contributor to social contract theory, community and society
03.11.2021: Witzwort: archeological findings of viking coinage
04.11.2021: Friedrichstadt: urban historical geography, investment and freedom of religion
05.06.2021:
06.11.2021: Husum: Storm Museum, Castle in front of Husum
07.11.2021: Schobüll: Seebrücke, Beltringharder Koog
08.11.2021: Nordstrand: palaeogeography, floodings and land reclamation projects
09.11.2021: Nordstrand: ferry port to island of Pellworm
10.11.2021: Bredstedt: Northern Frisian Institute with exhibitions of traditions and language development
11.11.2021: Bordelum: Naturerlebnisraum Stollberg, palaeogeographic park, viewing tower
12.11.2021: Reußenköge: land reclamation, citizen owned windpark
13.11.2021: Schlüttsiel: ferryport to islands of Langness and Oland, Hauke-Haien-Koog
14.11.2021: Niebüll: Frisian Museum, motorail train to the island of Sylt
15.11.2021: Dagebüll: cottages, ferryport to the island of Föhr
16.11.2021: Klanxbüll: Gotteskoog, Informationszentrum Wiedingharde (history of landscape formation)
17.11.2021: Süderlügum: taxfree cross-border trade; for the complicated history of this border read Sønderjyllands historie till 1815 and after 1815.
Places in the state of Northrhine-Westphalia
30.04.2024: Neuss: roman infrastructure built since 16 BC (roman infrastructure in Neuss); franconian graves from 500 AD; first document from 877 (customs excemption for monastry Verden by king Louis III); sovereign rights by the counts of Kleve and the archbishopric Cologne; city status in 1190; city fortification from 1200; Quirinus church from 1209 (with relicts of St. Quirinus); member of the Hanseatic League with customs excemption for Denmark by king Erik V; Imperial immediacy 1275 by king Rudof I; 1473 siege by Charles the Bold; coin privillege from 1474; 1586 destruction by troups of Habsburg Netherlands; siege by Hesse in 30 years war; from 1794 until 1813 under french administration; 1815 Prussia; 1946 foundation of Northrine-Westphalia by british military government; Museum Hombroich Island with cultural and artistic heritage
01.04.2024: Düsseldorf: Rhine Cycle Route Düsseldorf; 1159 certificate of pope Hadrian IV with obligation for residents to pay taxes to a hospital in Cologne; 1189 county of Berg; 1288 city rights; major landmarks as Königsallee and Heinrich-Heine-Allee were built by emperor Napoleon; he destroyed the old fortification and transformed the city into a garden town and amusement center; the Code Napoleon regulated prices and quality of food; that is why the hill in the Hofgarten is called Napoleons hill; after napoleonic wars county Berg within Prussia; then Rheinprovinz within Prussia; 1923 occupation by France and Belgium (Occupation of the Ruhr); 1956 Northrhine-Westphalia founded by the United Kingdom; latest city development project is the Kö-Bogen
02.04.2024: Kaiserswerth: monastry gifted by the duke of the Franks Pepin of Herstal to the northumbrian monk Suibert in 700; after destruction by wikings and saxons the east franconian king Louis the Younger protected the area; residence of salian Holy Roman emperor Heinrich III (Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth); 1062 the young king Heinrich IV was kidnapped, by several counts to protect him from his mother empress Agnes (coup of Kaiserswerth); customs erected by staufian emperor Friedrich Barbarossa in 1174; 1213 occupation by counts of Berg; 1273 prince bishopric Cologne; 1702 destruction during war of spanish succession by french troups; reconstruction of city from castle ruins
03.04.2024: Ratingen: Haus zum Haus castle was built 1276 at an old franconian settlement close to the river of Anger; the river was border between the East Franconian dutchies Franconia and Saxony; fortifications along the river were built as customs and to protect from the other riverside; Cromford from 1783 was the first textile factory in continental Europe
04.04.2024: Hösel; Angertal Hiking Trail along the river of Anger with Haus Anger another former fortification on the southern riverside and Gräfgenstein on the northern side; Gräfgenstein was probably built in the 13th century from the counts of Berg as military base at the border to the Prince-Bishopric Cologne on the southern side
05.04.2024: Mühlheim, Ruhr: Broich castle was built as fortification against viking raids in 883; 1240 territorial war with the archbishopric Cologne; 80 years war with Spain from 1584; the Ruhr Valley Cycling Route gives hints about the history of political, feudal and industrial culture of the region inklusive the change in ownership structure, recently with focus on nature protection; the water station is an example of industrial development and today used for water tourism (Weisse Flotte)
06.04.2024: Kettwig: old railway station is starting point of the panorama cycling path Niederbergbahn
07.04.2024: Heiligenhaus: museum landscape Abtsküche
08.04.2024: Velbert: German Lock and Fittingsmuseum with exhibitions about development of locks since the old egyptians to modern car locks
09.04.2024: Langenberg: first recorded as part of county of Hardenberg; then frontier village between the counties Mark and Berg; narrow valley enabled only trade, which was done between both counties, Essen and Wuppertal; mills were built along the two streams; finishing of yarns and fabrics was another major income; Kingdom of Prussia after napoleonic wars; one of the richest cities of Prussia; impressive villas are victims of that time; resistance against the area renovation in the 1970s prevented the destruction of the old town, now a culinary, cultural and artistic center and destination for nature tourism; impressive view over Ruhr area from Bismark tower Langenberg
10.04.2024: Wülfrath: circular hiking trail Eignerbach around active and closed canyons of the largest lime works in Europe (Flandersbach), founded 1903, currently owned and in parts remodeled as nature reserve by the belgian Lhoist Group, that strives for further decarbonization to prevent deindustrialization
11.04.2024: Neviges: fortress Hardenberg from 11th or 12th century built by the counts of Hardenberg of Duisburg-Kaiserswert and sold 1354 to the counts of Berg, that expanded territory; Bertram von Gevertshagen got the len in 1496 in exchange with the county Stolberg and built Hardenberg castle; circular hiking trail Protestants and Franciscans
12.04.2024: Düssel: moated castle “Haus Düssel” and Abrath Mill, probably deforested by an abbot during christianization; since 13th century secular County of Berg
13.04.2024: Schöller: beginnings of Schöller date back to franconian period in 8th and 9th century; chapel from 12th century, impressive history of protestant reformation
14.04.2024: Gruiten: historical village Gruiten, known for its listed and well-preserved slate and half-timbered houses; the settlements origins date back to around to the year 1000; oldest residential building is the “haus am Quall” from the 14th century; Lime mining was the economic focus; Grube 7 is nature reserve since 1997 and part of the artificially created groundwater cycle with the active mine in Hahnenfurth
15.04.2024: Mettman: Neandertal Museum and Mettman’s path of evolution; remains of a Homo Neanderthalensis a subspecies of the Homo Sapiens, were found there in 1856; the species got extinct in the late pleistocene; the reasons are still disputed and further researched
16.04.2024: Gräfrath: starting point of the Blade Path around Solingen is the German Blade Museum in the former monastry of Gräfrath, with the worlds largest cutlery collection and church treasures including valuable goldsmith’s work from the gothic and baroque periods; the monastry was founded 1187, secularized 1803 and houses the museum since 1990
17.04.2024: Ohligs: first farms recorded in 980; diverse settlements since 14th century; grinder cottages (Solinger Kotten) along the streams bear witness to the history of metal processing; local government since Napoleon; city rights from Prussia in 1856; rail connection 1857; Ohligser Heide is a heathland and bog landscape under nature protection
18.04.2024: Burg: most famous landmark of Solingen is Burg castle, built 1133 by the Counts of Berg as main residence; fortification under count of Berg Engelbert I, archbishop of Cologne; who was killed 1225 in an inheritance dispute and due to his expansive territorial policy with expropriations; the castle was sieged by swedish troups during the 30years war, destroyed by imperial troups and reconstructed 1922
19.04.2024: Ehringhausen: industrial history trail Hammertal; earliest recorded hammer mills along Lohrbach from 17th century (no longer existing but localizable with GPS Hammertal); start of tool industry around todays Remscheid; industrialization led to deforestation and flood disasters; today reforestation and nature reserve Hammertal
20.04.2024: Wermelskirchen: area known since the saxon and frankish land acquisitions in connection with christianisation from the 7th to 10th century, recorded by archbishopric Cologne; municipality and court Bornefeld; 1360 bought by county of Berg; 1873 municipality Wermelskirchen; hub for various outdoor activities; signage of the Rhineland node system for cycling paths;
21.04.2024: Dhünn: hiking paths of the Dhünn plateau and protected areas around the Dhünn Dam (second largest drinking water dam of Germany); it was constructed 1975 to 1985 due to a lack of drinking water in surrounding drier areas during the summer months
22.04.2024: Lennep: most famous as birthplace of Wilhem Conrad Röntgen, who earned the first Nobel Prize in Physics 1901 for the discovery of x-rays; 2004 the 111th element was named after him; the German X-Ray-Museum is dealing with physics; his father was cloth manufacturer; Lennep got city rights in 1259 from the counts of Berg and became member of the Hanse; cloth industry developed in the 14th century; city fires in 1325, 1563 and 1746; baroque reconstruction under protection today; 1863 railway connection Wuppertal Barmen Remscheid; the former railway route Leverkusen Opladen Lennep from 1881 is the cycling route Balkantrasse today; a reopening of the railway is discussed; second german drinking water dam 1892 (Panzertalsperre); further historical information: timeline Lennep
23.04.2024: Krebsöge: first recorded in church bills from 1514; fulling mill in 1724; iron hammer in 1770; four inhabitants in 1814; Gebrüder Thüring established first factory in 1850; 1886 railway connection (Wuppertalbahn); electricity since 1920; Wuppertal dam constructed from 1982 until 1987 to regulate water levels; several hiking and cycling trails marked by the Sauerländische Gebirgsverein
24.04.2024: Lüttringhausen: rural tribes; first recorded in saxon wars of Charlemagne; 1189 district Bornefeld in county of Berg; 1240 fief of the dukes of Boltenberg until 1824; city fire in 1733; economic growth in early 19th century; 1856 prussian city rights; railway connection in 1868; landmarks are the impressive town hall of 1907 and the protected old city, reconstructed after the fire (Altstadt Lüttringhausen)
25.04.2024: Beyenburg: 1189 counts of Berg; 1211 foundation of monastery by the Crosiers; 1804 secularization; 1888 railway connection until 1980 (historical rail route property of Wupperschiene); purchase of monastery by the Crosiers in 1964; Beyenburg reservoir was constructed from 1950 until 1954 and is a popular destination
26.04.2024: Ronsdorf: establishment of pietistic settlement in 1757 by ribbon manufacturer Elias Eller; the Ronsdorf reservoir was constructed in 1898; drinking water supply until 1950s; 1994 purchase by citizens to protect dam and establish a nature reserve with hiking trails (Reservoir Wuppertal Ronsdorf)
Regarding history and politics there are still several political and territorial disputes with different argumentations and coalitions and probably always will be.
1. The European Union from July to December 2023 under the presidency of Spain had a new initiative to regulate Artificial Intelligence in the EU, without biometric surveillance, not to use human bodies for marketing or political purposes, and to improve innovation (Mechanism Design), resulting in the EU AI Act; further discussed is the right to the body within private international law, possibly conflicting with the UNESCO declaration of bioethics and different financial regimes also within the EU; in January 2024 the presidency went to Belgium with the goal to better protect citizens, strengthen competitiveness and future expansions, challenged by fragmented political and cultural structures and discussions about a macroeconomic model due to different schools of economic thought
2. Sweden was not member of the NATO due to vetos of some member states
3. The role of France as single nuclear power of the European Union and only member of the UN security council is changing situationally
4. The Common Wealth of the United Kingdom is a multilayered construct with a multitude of groups in several nation states around the globe, fighting for a new role in the legal landscape since BREXIT (private international law)
5. The agenda of the two parties of the United States is changing due to lobbies with different policies. NATO is a crucial topic in the next presidential elections, due to high spendings and different shares of member states (Withdrawal from NATO)
6. China, India, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia are also nuclear powers and have major impact on global politics with different priorities and allies
7. Exchange rate regimes have to be agreed upon, since there is no world currency or common commodity money; Reserves of Central Banks are regulated differently
8. There is no public international law or law of nations
9. The current Doha Round of the World Trade Organization that started in Quatar 2001 is still without results, due to conflicts between industrial and agricultural countries, and between industrial countries due to subsidies and differing regulations
10. The global energy crisis is ongoing and posing new challenges. Investment is threatened due to trade wars, political risk and uncertainity (keynesian view on agents in a complex world)
If you are interested in politics and economy you see, that there are and have always been different social and economical conditions at different places. Lawyers call this phenomenum regulatory complexity, conflict of laws or non contractual obligations. Mathematicans call it “set theory“. There were Nobel Prizes in Economic Sciences given for the further elaboration of private obligations (contract theory) and obligations of companies (theory of the firm) . If you are interested in informatics the phenomenum is called state machines, what also was a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for decision making. If you follow the news and watch your environment you will find out that there are everywhere more or less adventagous social segmentations (wages and profits). The thoughts of the Swedish Central Bank, awarding the disputed prices in economic sciences are certainly not easy, disputed and always political. In any case they are intended to explain phenomena and develop more or less abstract blueprints of markets.
Example for the complexity:
1. Do an agenda of what you did last week (f.e. working, shopping, learning, sports, family)
2. Sort your activities according to groups you participated in, and which role you played (f.e. employees, employers, clients, students, family, etc.)
3. Which sorts of contracts did you make? (f.e. work contract, purchase contract, service contract, loan contract, etc.)?
4. How much did you get and spend for which contract group and contract (shares of income and spendings)?
5. How much taxes did you pay, for which group and contract (wealth, income, consumption, etc.)?
6. What did you get for your taxes?
7. How about your felt moral rights and duties?
8. Are there role conflicts or conflicts with contract groups? Then a change of groups, roles or priorities should be possible. That is what people call philosophy, sociology, politics or religion.
Since some people are not able to change role and group due to consanguinity my first and most important sentence in legal studies was: “To die is to inherit”, since property has always to be redistributed on earth, when people die, what always has been a source of conflict. A relatively easy project is to compare inheritance law of countries. Switzerland for example reduced the statatury portion for children from 75 per cent to 50 per cent last year (révision du droit des successions, Suisse). In Germany the legal succession (BGB) includes more relatives than children. In Sweden there is no inheritance tax.
In my first lesson in economics we learned about philosophical reasoning. There is a dispute between the origin of knowledge, debated since ancient Greece. Proponents of posterior knowledge argue with empirical evidence and learning, proponents of a priori knowledge with innate rationalism. Our professors had different opinions about this topic, unfortunately relevant for marks sometimes. A further disputed topic in the first lesson was if economics is a real science or a social science. In some countries as Germany it is a social science, governed and segmented by banks, in competition with other countries, with other systems.
My best subject was statistics. Our austrian professor (Helmut Strasser) used to say, you can bring a metacomputer to the exam, I don’t mind, you just have to understand the problem, obviously not the gift of everybody.
Extension (contract groups):
3. Which alternative contracts are possible in your and other jurisdictions, consider the administrative division for that?
4. Do your earnings and spendings reflect your priorities?
5. Should you vote for another party or move somewhere else?
6. Should you vote for another party or move somewhere else?
7. Should you vote for another party or move somewhere else?
Consider there are no global rules in our anarchic westphalian world.
Weihler 