History

From a Roman settlement to applying for the Landesgartenschau (regional garden and flower show) in 2016

Oehringen first gained historical significance after the construction of the limes around 155 AD during the Roman occupation. During this time, approximately 1,000 Roman soldiers were stationed in Öhringen, staying in two forts. The town, which was of military and economic importance, was named “Vicus Aurelianus” after the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. In 260 AD, the Alemannians overran the limes and the Roman town of Öhringen with its forts, baths, handicraft businesses and mansions fell apart.

800 years later, the post-Roman Öhringen was referred to in historical records as “Oringowe”. In 1037, the settlement at the river Ohrn is mentioned in the deed of foundation of Öhringen, the “Öhringer Stiftungsbrief“. Two nuns from Regensburg prevented Öhringen from developing into a blooming free imperial city. Around 1240, individual settlement areas were incorporated into the town. The “Öhringer Weistum”, a deed from 1253, includes details about the municipal situation; it is the first documentation relating to Öhringen as a town.

From 1253 to 1806, Öhringen was ruled by the house of Hohenlohe. Since Öhringen was the largest and most important of 17 rural towns in Hohenlohe, it was not owned by any of the sovereign princes alone, who were branched out in multiple lines. During the peasants' wars of 1525, Öhringen experienced unrests, too. As a result of the Reformation, the convent of canons was suspended in 1556. 

The 17th century saw a new boost; Öhringen became a royal residence and in 1806, the town was incorporated into the new kingdom of Württemberg. The Öhringer Stiftsprediger (canon preacher) Christian Ludwig Friedrich Weizsäcker (1785 to 1831) is the ancestor of the barons of Weizsäcker. During its time as a seat of royal power, Öhringen had 3,000 to 4,000 inhabitants. The integration into Württemberg did not provide a noteworthy revival of the economy.

Although a railway line was built in 1862, a telephone network was set up in 1895 and a power station was established in 1896, there was no major industrial development apart from individual handicraft businesses expanding into industrial businesses. Öhringen remained a small royal rural town with some 4,500 inhabitants at the outbreak of World War II. After the war, refugees and expellees revived the town and by 1960, it had a population of 10,000. Thousands of expellees found a new home in the receptive town of Öhringen. 

The Kreisreform (district reform) of 1973 was a loss for Öhringen. The administrative districts of Öhringen and Künzelsau were merged into the Hohenlohekreis district with Künzelsau being the administration centre. At the same time, the municipality reform brought new municipalities to Öhringen, which were quickly at ease with their new position as districts of Öhringen. Together, a harmonious local community was created. 

In 1994, Öhringen first passed the mark of 20,000 inhabitants and was promoted to Große Kreisstadt (major district town). This promotion was connected with new administrative tasks and responsibilities that were previously held by the Landratsamt (administrative district office) of Hohenlohe.

A further historical step for the town of Öhringen was made in 2006, when it was the official home to the Australian national soccer team during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The "Socceroos" stayed at the Wald-und-Schlosshotel in Friedrichsruhe and trained in the stadium “Otto-Meister-Stadion” of the local football club TSG Öhringen, until they had to leave the tournament after the last 16. Due to the unparalleled media response, the so-called “2dotstown” built up a reputation with millions of viewers particularly in Australia. Ever since, Australians connect the World Cup 2006 and the host nation Germany directly to the town of Öhringen.

At present, Öhringen is applying to host the Landesgartenschau (regional garden and flower show) Baden-Württemberg in 2016. Winning the bid would be yet another important step towards the town’s urban development. In addition, the Landesgartenschau would complete an important stage of structural development and herald the start of a new age. The placing of the Landesgartenschau 2016 is likely to be announced in October/November 2009. 

Today, the Große Kreisstadt of Öhringen with its population of more than 23,000 inhabitants is an important

centre at the heart of Hohenlohe that reaches far into the region. Thanks to the unique approach to the town management/Öhringer Agenda 21 and the participation of numerous citizens, churches, clubs, companies, institutions and many other active creators, the immensely positive and inventive development of the town will be continued in future.

Detailed documents and further information about the history of the town of Öhringen and its districts can be found in the hometown almanac “Öhringen - Stadt und Stift”, published by the town of Öhringen. The book is available at the information desk of the town of Öhringen (palace) on the ground floor. 

Updated information regarding the urban development and town management are available from: 

Dr. Michael Walter – Office of the Lord Mayor - michael.walter@oehringen.de - Tel: +49(0)7941 68 172

Head of Office Albert Küchel - Amt für Bauordnung und Wirtschaftsförderung (office for building regulations and trade promotion) - albert.kuechel@oehringen.de - Tel: +49(0)7941 68 167