Vaihingen an der Enz is a town located between Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, in southern Germany, on the western periphery of the Stuttgart Region. Vaihingen is situated on the river Enz, and has a population of around 30,000. The former district-capital is now part of the district of Ludwigsburg in the Land (state) of Baden-Württemberg. It is 25 km northwest of Stuttgart, and 15 km west of Ludwigsburg. Not to be confused with Vaihingen, a district of Stuttgart.
Location
Vaihingen lies at an altitude of 200 to 450 metres at the end of the Strohgäus, on the western edge of the Neckarbecken in a valley widening of the Enz. The town centre lies on the east side of the river and is overlooked by the castle Kaltenstein.
History
Vaihingen may date back as far as 799 AD, but the documents are not clear. In 1252 documents refer directly to Vaihingen as a town, established by Count Gottfried von Vaihingen. The town changed hands several times. In the sixteenth century it became a Protestant town. During the Thirty Years' War Vaihingen was besieged by both the Protestant and Catholic warring factions. The consequences of the 1848 revolution caused harvest failures and inflation, and the town population diminished by a large emigration. In the early 1900s, a connection to the railroad network brought more people and industries to Vaihingen. In 1938 Vaihingen became a regional centre.
There was the Vaihingen an der Enz concentration camp during World War II.
Mayor
At the top of the town is since 1256 the mayor and the court, consisting of twelve citizens, including four mayors. Chairman of the court was the official mayor. With the elevation to Große Kreisstadt on January 1, 1973, the mayor bears the official title Lord mayor. He is directly elected by the electorate every 8 years. He is chairman of the municipal council. His general deputy is the first councilor with the official title of mayor.
Mayors since 1893
1893–1899: Karl Friedrich Richard Bohringer, Stadtschultheiß, 1900–1907: Ferdinand Bentel, Stadtschultheiß, 1907–1911: Christian Wilhelm Wischuf, Stadtschultheiß 1912–1923: Matthew Häselin, Stadtschultheiß, 1923–1926: vacant; the official duties were performed by several councilors as temporary administrators 1926–1936: Hermann Linkenheil, mayor 1936–1945: Karl Schmid, mayor 1945–1954: Ludwig Lörcher, mayor 1954–1981: Gerhard Palm, mayor, from 1973 lord mayor 1982–2006: Heinz Kälberer, mayor 2006–2022: Gerd Maisch, mayor 2022–present: Uwe Skrzypek
On May 7, 2006, Gerd Maisch (previously mayor of Tamm), was elected as the new mayor of Vaihingen. He took office on September 1, 2006. Gerd Maisch won against Matthias Ehrlein (Stutensee), and Helga Eberle (Aurich) with 62% of the vote.
On September 1, 2022, Uwe Skrzypek overtook the role of Lord Mayor from Gerd Maisch after winning the local elections.
Transport
Vaihingen is located on the Württemberger Weinstraße and on the southern route of the German Timber-Frame Road, both routes pass many sights.
Sights
Marketplace
The panoramic sight at the market place includes the town hall and the town church (alternative central/main church). Due to devastating fires in 1693 and 1784, housing facilities had to be rebuilt and their architecture dates back to then.
Town Hall
A fire destroyed the old town hall building in 1693. It was rebuilt in the same location in 1720, following long years of controversy between the citizens of Vaihingen and the administration of Württemberg. Its paintings date back to 1901. The ground floor was originally used as a sales area for tradesmen.
The Town Wall
The former Town Wall is partly preserved in the Baedergasse. It is accessible by foot in the direction of the Klingengasse. A broad alley including a stone portraying the coat of arms was built in 1786. Small bridges connect the top level of the buildings and served as escape routes during high flood water.
St. Peter's Church
The St. Peter's Church is the oldest church in Vaihingen and dates back to 1490 Roman architecture. Modifications were carried out several times. It remained Vaihingen's cemetery church until 1839. From 1871 onwards, it was used as a gym and was rebuilt again in 1980 according to the old style. The town museum can be found on the top floor of the building. Even today, old gravestones from the former cemetery can still be seen.