Isny im Allgäu (, ; Low Alemannic: ''Isny im Allgai'') is a town in south-eastern

Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg ( ; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a states of Germany, German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million i ...

, Germany. It is part of the district of Ravensburg, in the western, Württembergish part of the Allgäu region. Isny was a Free Imperial City (''Freie Reichsstadt'') until the mediatisation of 1803.

History

During the three centuries following its origin in 1042, it was a commercial center controlled and exploited by various competing feudal lords. In the 13th century, Isny's merchants built a fortification system to protect the town from marauders and rival feudal rulers. The town is still partially surrounded by the city walls and moat that were built during these early turbulent times. After three centuries of domination by feudal lords and territorial rulers, Isny's middle class was able to purchase the town's independence in 1365. Isny's status as an Imperial city made it a self-governing republic in which the city government was elected by propertied residents and in which the

guild A guild ( ) is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular territory. The earliest types of guild formed as organizations of tradespeople belonging to a professional association. They so ...

system thrived. In 1529, Isny's Protestant minority took the city council and voted to make the town Protestant and the Nikolaikirche became the town's main Protestant church. In 1803, the city was mediatized and became a possession of the Counts of Quadt. In 1806, the city passed to the Kingdom of Württemberg, which allowed the Catholic majority to once again move to the city. In 1889, the majority of urban residents was Catholic (1139 ev / 1444 Cath.). Isny enjoyed a vibrant economy, based primarily on

linen Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong and absorbent, and it dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. Lin ...

production, until competition from abroad, the devastation of the

Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in History of Europe, European history. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died from battle, famine ...

, and a series of fires and plagues brought production to a halt in the 17th century. The town experienced a revival after the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, when a rehabilitation center for war veterans was established there. Isny emerged from the war largely undamaged, and has since become a popular destination for vacationers and resort-goers. In the late 1970s, the town commissioned the renowned graphic designer Otl Aicher to create a graphic identity for its tourist board. Aicher responded with a set of 128 black and white pictograms which, while initially controversial, are now regarded as forward thinking and are still used to promote the town.

Twin towns – sister cities

Isny im Allgäu is twinned with: * Andrychów, Poland * Flawil, Switzerland * Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon, France * Sotkamo, Finland *

Street A street is a public thoroughfare in a city, town or village, typically lined with Building, buildings on one or both sides. Streets often include pavements (sidewalks), pedestrian crossings, and sometimes amenities like Street light, streetligh ...

, England, United Kingdom

Notable people

Johannes Nider Johannes Nider ( – 13 August 1438) was a German theologian. Life Nider was born in Swabia. He entered the Order of Preachers at Colmar and after profession was sent to Vienna for his philosophical studies, which he finished at Cologne, where h ...

(ca1380–1438), a German theologian. * Franz Ehrle (1845–1934), Jesuit and Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church * Hubert Netzer (1865–1939), sculptor and academy professor * Peter Rohwein (born 1962), ski jumper and ski coach * Björn Freiberg (born 1970), actor, painter, author and former University teacher. * Eva Stotz (born 1979), documentary film maker and director * Robin Lässer (born 1991), motorcycle racer

References

External links

Isny Tourist website

Photographs of Isny
{{DEFAULTSORT:Isny Im Allgau Towns in Baden-Württemberg Ravensburg (district) Free imperial cities Swabian Circle Swabian League

History

Twin towns – sister cities

Notable people

See also

References

External links