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Oberursel (Taunus) () is a town in
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
and part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. It is located to the north west of
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
, in the
Hochtaunuskreis The Hochtaunuskreis is a ''Kreis'' (district) in the middle of Hesse, Germany and is part of the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region. Neighbouring districts are Lahn-Dill, Wetteraukreis, district-free Frankfurt, Main-Taunus, Rheingau-Taunus, ...
county. It is the 13th largest town in
Hesse Hesse (, , ) or Hessia (, ; german: Hessen ), officially the State of Hessen (german: links=no, Land Hessen), is a States of Germany, state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankfurt. Two other major histor ...
. In 2011, the town hosted the 51st
Hessentag The Hessentag (; en, Hesse Day) is an annual event, both fair and festival, organized by the German state of Hesse to represent the different regions of Hesse. The events are shown for a week to the visitors, with an emphasis on cultural displ ...
state festival.


Geography


Extent of municipal area

The maximum distance from the northern town border to the southern border is the maximum distance from east to west is . Altitude *Krebsmühle (Weißkirchen): 138 m above sea level *Town Hall: 198 m above sea level *Hohemark: 300 m above sea level *The nearly Grosse Feldberg is the highest spot in the
Taunus The Taunus is a mountain range in Hesse, Germany, located north of Frankfurt. The tallest peak in the range is ''Großer Feldberg'' at 878 m; other notable peaks are ''Kleiner Feldberg'' (825 m) and ''Altkönig'' (798 m). The Taunus range spans ...
: 820 m above sea level


Neighbouring communities

To the north Oberursel borders with Schmitten, to the east with
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe Bad Homburg vor der Höhe () is the district town of the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, on the southern slope of the Taunus mountains. Bad Homburg is part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. The town's official name is ''Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe'', w ...
, to the south-east with
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
, to the southwest with Steinbach and to the west with
Kronberg Kronberg im Taunus is a town in the Hochtaunuskreis district, Hesse, Germany and part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. Before 1866, it was in the Duchy of Nassau; in that year the whole Duchy was absorbed into Prussia. Kronberg lies at th ...
.


Town districts

Besides the town centre (including
Bommersheim Bommersheim is one of five town districts of Oberursel, located southeast of the core city and immediately northwest of Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populo ...
), Oberursel is divided into the districts
Oberstedten Oberstedten is one of four town subdivisions (''Stadtteile'') and one of three boroughs (''Ortsbezirke'') of Oberursel, located north of the core city and immediately northwest of Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main ( ...
(population 6,118), Stierstadt (5,541) and Weißkirchen (Oberursel) (5,151). Bommersheim was annexed before the municipal reform of 1972 and therefore is not an independent district.


History

The town was first mentioned as "Ursella" in 791 in a deed recording a donation to the monastery
Lorsch Lorsch is a town in the Bergstraße district in Hessen, Germany, 60 km south of Frankfurt. Lorsch is well known for the Lorsch Abbey, which has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Geography Location Lorsch lies about 5 km wes ...
. In the year 880 the first church in the area, called "monasterium ad ursellam", was mentioned. In 1317 the first trading activities were documented. In 1444 Oberursel was officially sanctioned as a town. Two years later, the town wall was finished. Since the town was growing so fast in the 15th century the town walls had to be expanded in 1481 towards the east. In the early 16th century a school for Latin language was established next to the church. 1535 Oberursel become property of Earl Ludwig von Stolberg-Königstein and becomes a Protestant town. 1557
Nicolaus Henricus Nicolaus is a masculine given name. It is a Latin, Greek and German form of Nicholas. Nicolaus may refer to: In science: * Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer who provided the first modern formulation of a heliocentric theory of the solar syste ...
built the first
printing plant In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. Printers can include: *Newspaper printers, often owned by newspaper publishers *Magazine printers, usually independe ...
in Oberursel. 1605 due to the
counter-reformation The Counter-Reformation (), also called the Catholic Reformation () or the Catholic Revival, was the period of Catholic resurgence that was initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation. It began with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) a ...
Oberursel becomes
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
again. The most important industry in the late Middle Ages and in the early modern times was the clothier business. During the
Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (80 ...
the town was destroyed three times, in 1622 and 1645, and the number of inhabitants decreased from 1,600 to 600. During the 1645 razing, most buildings were destroyed by fire; the three surviving buildings were the old town hall, the bakery, and one apartment house near the marketplace. This is the reason why nearly all houses in the old town of Oberursel are from the 17th century. As the town was rebuilt and grew, many mills and forges were founded along the "Urselbachtal". By 1858,
industrialisation Industrialisation ( alternatively spelled industrialization) is the period of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society. This involves an extensive re-organisation of an econo ...
had begun in Oberursel, with several cotton-spinning mills being built. In 1860 Oberursel was linked to the railway between
Bad Homburg Bad Homburg vor der Höhe () is the district town of the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, on the southern slope of the Taunus mountains. Bad Homburg is part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Regional Authority, Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. The town's offic ...
and
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
. In 1899 a subway was opened privately in the direction of Hohemark (currently Line U3). During the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, many captured American and British airmen passed through Oberursel as they were interrogated and processed into the German POW camp system at the "Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe" or "Transit Camp of the Luftwaffe" located in the town. The camp name was commonly shortened to "Dulag Luft", or simply "Dulag". Almost all allied airmen who were shot down and captured spent some time at that camp before being moved to their permanent assigned " Stalag". After the occupation of Oberursel by the U.S. in April 1945, the "Dulag" area was taken over by the US Army. The existing buildings were transformed into
Camp King Camp King is a site on the outskirts of Oberursel, Taunus (in Germany), with a long history. It began as a school for agriculture under the auspices of the University of Frankfurt. During World War II, the lower fields became an interrogation center ...
, which began as an intelligence post, then later a transportation post until its de-activation in 1993. Today the former Camp King is a residential area, still populated by several former US soldiers.


Growth

In 1929
Bommersheim Bommersheim is one of five town districts of Oberursel, located southeast of the core city and immediately northwest of Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populo ...
was annexed; in 1972
Oberstedten Oberstedten is one of four town subdivisions (''Stadtteile'') and one of three boroughs (''Ortsbezirke'') of Oberursel, located north of the core city and immediately northwest of Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main ( ...
, Stierstadt and Weißkirchen followed.


Number of Inhabitants

:1542: 1,100 :1618: 1,600 :1648: 600 :1799: 7,999 :1972 (before annexations): 25,000 :1972 (after annexations): 37,000 :2001: 42,736 :2005: 42,839 :2006: 43,165


Politics

Since the 2021 municipal elections, the city council has the following distribution of seats:


Mayors

*1946–1960: Heinrich Kappus ( CDU) *1960–1972: Heinrich Beil (CDU) *1972–1978: Karlheinz Pfaff (
SPD The Social Democratic Party of Germany (german: Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, ; SPD, ) is a centre-left social democratic political party in Germany. It is one of the major parties of contemporary Germany. Saskia Esken has been t ...
) *1978–1990: Rudolf Harders (CDU) *1990–1996: Thomas Schadow (CDU) *1996–2003: Gerd Krämer (CDU) *2003-2021: Hans-Georg Brum (SPD) *from October 2021: Antje Runge (SPD)


Twin towns – sister cities

Oberursel (Taunus) is twinned with: *
Épinay-sur-Seine Épinay-sur-Seine (, literally ''Épinay on Seine'') is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. The church of Notre-Dame-des-Missions-du-cygne d'Enghien, designed by Paul Tournon, may be found ...
, France (1964) *
Koggenland Koggenland ( fy, Koggelân) is a municipality in North Holland province and the region of West-Frisia of the Netherlands. It came into existence on 1 January 2007 upon the merger of the two former municipalities of Obdam and Wester-Koggenland. ...
, Netherlands (1971) *
Rushmoor Rushmoor is a Non-metropolitan district, local government district and borough in Hampshire, England. It covers the towns of Aldershot and Farnborough, Hampshire, Farnborough as well as Cove and North Camp. It was formed on 1 April 1974 by the ...
, England, United Kingdom (1989) *
Lomonosov Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov (; russian: Михаил (Михайло) Васильевич Ломоносов, p=mʲɪxɐˈil vɐˈsʲilʲjɪvʲɪtɕ , a=Ru-Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov.ogg; – ) was a Russian Empire, Russian polymath, s ...
, Russia (2004)


Culture

The "Vortaunusmuseum" is located in the central marketplace. Its exhibits illustrate the town's history and the history of soap box derbies. Soap box derbies were invented in Oberursel, and the world championship is held in Oberursel every year. Another popular event occurring in Oberursel is the Brunnenfest, an annual village fair held in the early summer, which attracts visitors from surrounding areas and around the world.


Transport

Oberursel is located on the A661 motorway near the "Bad Homburger Kreuz", which is the interchange between the A661 and the A5 (
Hannover Hanover (; german: Hannover ; nds, Hannober) is the capital and largest city of the German States of Germany, state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,932 (2021) inhabitants make it the List of cities in Germany by population, 13th-largest city in Germa ...
-
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
-
Basel , french: link=no, Bâlois(e), it, Basilese , neighboring_municipalities= Allschwil (BL), Hégenheim (FR-68), Binningen (BL), Birsfelden (BL), Bottmingen (BL), Huningue (FR-68), Münchenstein (BL), Muttenz (BL), Reinach (BL), Riehen (BS ...
). The
Frankfurt Airport Frankfurt Airport (; german: link=no, Flughafen Frankfurt Main , also known as ''Rhein-Main-Flughafen'') is a major international airport located in Frankfurt, the fifth-largest city of Germany and one of the world's leading financial centres ...
is about 20 minutes away. There are 6 regional bus lines in the town. During the weekend there is a night bus to
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
. There is a rail service via a suburban transit railway (S5) and a combined tram-subway (U3). Both lines go to Frankfurt and go underground in the centre part of Frankfurt.


Economy

There are many well known companies located in Oberursel, predominantly in the IT and tourism industries. *
Thomas Cook AG Thomas Cook AG was an Anglo-German, global travel group. The group had its headquarters in Rochdale, and sold products such as package holidays and flights through its 3 in-house airlines. On 19 June 2007, the group merged with MyTravel Group p ...
* Utimaco Safeware AG * Dimension Data Germany AG & Co (Until 2014) * Alte Leipziger (insurance) * Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH *
AVIS Avis is Latin for bird and may refer to: Aviation *Auster Avis, a 1940s four-seat light aircraft developed from the Auster Autocrat (abandoned project) *Avro Avis, a two-seat biplane *Scottish Aeroplane Syndicate Avis, an early aircraft built by ...
* AFN ( Transmitter Weisskirchen) * IBM Data Center, Bommersheim * Dantotsu Intelligent Solutions GbR
Condor Airlines Condor, legally incorporated as ''Condor Flugdienst GmbH'' and stylized as condor, is a German airline established in 1955 with Frankfurt Airport being its main base. Condor offers scheduled flights to leisure destinations and operates, from Ge ...
operates an office in Oberursel. Prior to its dissolution,
Aero Lloyd Aero Lloyd Flugreisen GmbH & Co, operating as Aero Lloyd, was a German charter airline based in Oberursel, Germany. It was headquartered in Building 182 at Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt before it was moved to Oberursel. History Early years ...
was headquartered in Oberursel. When
Aero Flight Aero Flight GmbH & Co. Luftverkehrs-KG was an airline based in Oberursel, Germany. It operated international charter passenger service. History The airline was established and started operations on March 26, 2004. Aero Flight started from the ch ...
existed, it had its head office in Oberursel.Flugbegleiter/in
"
Aero Flight Aero Flight GmbH & Co. Luftverkehrs-KG was an airline based in Oberursel, Germany. It operated international charter passenger service. History The airline was established and started operations on March 26, 2004. Aero Flight started from the ch ...
. February 3, 2006. Retrieved on August 17, 2010.


Education

Oberursel is the educational centre of "Hochtaunuskreis" county. As well as six primary schools, one in each of the town districts, there is a grammar school, a secondary school, a secondary modern school (junior high) and a comprehensive school. There are also two private schools, "Helen-Keller-Schule" and "Hans-Thoma-Schule", a commercial high school named "Feldbergschule", and th

Frankfurt International School The Frankfurt International School e.V. (FIS) is an English-language day school founded in 1961 in Frankfurt, but located in Oberursel Oberursel (Taunus) () is a town in Germany and part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main urban area. It is located ...
. The following vocational institutions, training centres, and speciality schools are also located in Oberursel:

Freie Waldorfschule Vordertaunus * Albrecht-Strohschein-Schule (Heilpädagogische Waldorfschule)

Ketteler-la-Roche-Schule (Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik)

Lutherische Theologische Hochschule ( Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche) * BASA Jugendwerkstatt Hochtaunus * Reformhaus-Fachakademie *Bildungszentrum (seither: Verwaltungsschule) der Bundesanstalt für Arbeit

Volkshochschule Oberursel

Musikschule Oberursel (Taunus) *Bundesjugendbildungszentrum des DGB *Institut für Bienenkunde


References


External links


Official website of Oberursel

Tourism Portal of Oberursel


{{Authority control Hochtaunuskreis * Towns in Hesse