Botnang
Encyclopedia
Botnang is a district of the City of Stuttgart
and lies between Feuerbach
, Stuttgart-West and Vaihingen.
Botnang is almost entirely surrounded by woodland and lies in the hills to the west of Stuttgart. The centre of Botnang lies 316 metres above sea level
. The town's highest point is 479 metres above sea level in woods near to the so-called Forest House. Four streams, all fed by natural sources, flow down from the surrounding woods from the West and South West of Botnang to the Feuerbach valley and beyond.
shows a wild boar between two trees (believed to be beech trees). The emblem was created in 1919 after discovering in district archives that the town boasted neither a coat of arms nor any other emblem. It was designed by archive managers in Stuttgart and symbolizes the wild game reserve originally established by King Friedrich in the woods around the town in 1815/16. The coat of arms holds no official status since Botnang's incorporation into Stuttgart City in 1922, but still features prominently on signs, in local buildings and in publications. Wild boar still roam the woods around Botnang, especially during prolonged periods of cold.
The emblem considered by many locals to symbolize Botnang more accurately is the cuckoo. It is used half affectionately, half mockingly by residents and nearby communities respectively to refer to Botnang and its inhabitants. This is based on a legend that the Duke of Württemberg once asked the 'Botnangers' to acquire him a cuckoo after walking in the nearby woods. Having fulfilled his request they were then asked to bring him the "Home of the Cuckoo". Unable to decide whether this was based on ignorance or was in fact a trick (cuckoos have no nest; they lay their eggs in other birds' nests), the Botnangers gave the duke an area of their woods - much to the derision of other local communities.
Botnang is first mentioned in official records in 1075 when the local landlords, the Counts of Calw, bequethed their property and all revenues from Botnang to Hirsau
Abbey. In 1281, Hirsau sold its ownership of Botnang to Bebenhausen
Monastery. In 1418, Botnang was acquired by Eberhard im Bart and thus passed into Württemberg
. Until 1631 Botnang then fell into the nearby district of Feuerbach.
The Thirty Years War brought much suffering and destruction to the area and this also affected Botnang. In 1621 the combined population of Botnang and the nearby town of Heslach was 645, by 1643 this had slumped to 210.
In 1765, Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
built Castle Solitude
just beyond the woodland surrounding Botnang. Many of the craftsman involved in construction work took up residence in Botnang. The links to Castle Solitude, which now belongs to the district of Stuttgart-West, remain strong to this day.
Before the onset of industrialisation Botnang was known as a small township of launderers and bleachers. The woods benefitted from ample provisions of firewood and water so Botnang was in an ideal position to furnish the needs of the expanding city of Stuttgart. For many years the south facing hills also supported a small number of vineyards.
After the industrial revolution transformed the nearby city of Stuttgart into a major automotive city, Botnang gradually merged with the expanding commuter belt of Stuttgart, separated only by the surrounding woods which remain under a conservation order to this day. The town is therefore unlikely to grow beyond its current borders. On April 1, 1922 Botnang was incorporated into the city of Stuttgart. In 1925 Botnang had 4579 inhabitants. In 2006 the town had approximately 13,000 inhabitants.
Religion
Botnang formed part of the parish of Feuerbach until the 15th century. In 1483 it became autonomous and established its own rectory. In 1530 the town was embraced by the Reformation
. The oldest register of births in Botnang dates back to 1558.
Incorporation into the Urban District of Stuttgart
Botnang was affiliated to the parish of Feuerbach until 1483 and remained politically linked to Feuerbach until 1631.
On April 1, 1922 Botnang was officially incorporated into Stuttgart.
Until 1942, Castle Solitude and its entire residence remained under the jurisdiction of the district of Gerlingen (now officially the town of Gerlingen). On April 1, 1942 the palace was also incorporated into the Urban District of Stuttgart and re-designated to the District of Botnang.
In 1956, Stuttgart was divided into City Districts resulting in the re-designation of Solitude residences under the District of Stuttgart-West. Botnang was declared once again an independent urban district and this was unaffected by changes in district boundaries on January 1, 2001. The District of Botnang thus remains an individual urban district under the overall jurisdiction of the Urban District of Stuttgart
.
Botnang lies to the east of the L 1187 (Wildparkstraße) which forms the main road link between Stuttgart and Leonberg
. The Wildparkstraße is also an important access road to the nearby State Autobahn (motorways), the A81 and A8. Local transport is operated by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG. This encompasses
Underground services:
Bus:
Schools in Botnang
Primary schools: Franz-Schubert school, Kirchhalden school
Senior schools: Evangelische Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik
The Auferstehungskirche (Church of the Resurrection) stands proudly on the hill over Eltinger Straße and is considered a symbol of "old Botnang". It is therefore often pictured on post cards and publications on the town. Following the second world war the church was built on the former site of the old village church and was completed in 1954.
Regular events
Every summer a street festival is organised by club members of A.R.G.E. Botnang. This takes place on the streets along Marktplatz/Griegstraße/Franz-Schubert-Straße on the last Saturday before schools break up for the summer holidays.
The A.R.G.E. also organises an annual Christmas Market held on the Saturday preceding the 1st Advent. Until 2005 this always took place on Alte-Stuttgarter-Straße. In 2006 the Christmas Market moved to Griegstraße.
The Lantern Procession takes place annually in the middle of October and attracts up to 800 participants. The procession takes place in two waves through the brightly decorated old town of Botnang, culminating on the open area next to the modern sports hall with a huge bonfire.
was manager of the German national football team from 2004 until 2006. During his playing career he was part of the German squads that won the FIFA World Cup
in 1990 and UEFA European Football Championship
in 1996. Klinsmann grew up in Botnang where his family still runs the Klinsmann bakery to this day.
Ulf Merbold
, German physicist and the first West German astronaut.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
and lies between Feuerbach
Feuerbach
Feuerbach may refer to:a surname* Paul Johann Anselm Ritter von Feuerbach , German legal scholar* Karl Wilhelm Feuerbach , German mathematician* Ludwig Feuerbach , German philosopher and anthropologist...
, Stuttgart-West and Vaihingen.
Geography
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. The town's highest point is 479 metres above sea level in woods near to the so-called Forest House. Four streams, all fed by natural sources, flow down from the surrounding woods from the West and South West of Botnang to the Feuerbach valley and beyond.
Coat of arms
The Botnang coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
shows a wild boar between two trees (believed to be beech trees). The emblem was created in 1919 after discovering in district archives that the town boasted neither a coat of arms nor any other emblem. It was designed by archive managers in Stuttgart and symbolizes the wild game reserve originally established by King Friedrich in the woods around the town in 1815/16. The coat of arms holds no official status since Botnang's incorporation into Stuttgart City in 1922, but still features prominently on signs, in local buildings and in publications. Wild boar still roam the woods around Botnang, especially during prolonged periods of cold.
The emblem considered by many locals to symbolize Botnang more accurately is the cuckoo. It is used half affectionately, half mockingly by residents and nearby communities respectively to refer to Botnang and its inhabitants. This is based on a legend that the Duke of Württemberg once asked the 'Botnangers' to acquire him a cuckoo after walking in the nearby woods. Having fulfilled his request they were then asked to bring him the "Home of the Cuckoo". Unable to decide whether this was based on ignorance or was in fact a trick (cuckoos have no nest; they lay their eggs in other birds' nests), the Botnangers gave the duke an area of their woods - much to the derision of other local communities.
History
Nearly 2000 years ago two important Roman roads travelled through the area near to the modern Forest House behind today's Oberer Kirchhaldenweg. This may be because of a small pot making community that stood to the east of the settlement.Botnang is first mentioned in official records in 1075 when the local landlords, the Counts of Calw, bequethed their property and all revenues from Botnang to Hirsau
Hirsau
Hirsau is a district of the town of Calw in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, located in the south-west portion of the country, about two miles north of Calw and about twenty four miles west of Stuttgart.-Town:...
Abbey. In 1281, Hirsau sold its ownership of Botnang to Bebenhausen
Bebenhausen
Bebenhausen is a village in the Tübingen district, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Since 1974 it is a district of the city of Tübingen, its smallest one. It is located 3 km north of Tübingen proper , in the southeastern part of the protected landscape of the Schönbuch, a dense forest...
Monastery. In 1418, Botnang was acquired by Eberhard im Bart and thus passed into Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
. Until 1631 Botnang then fell into the nearby district of Feuerbach.
The Thirty Years War brought much suffering and destruction to the area and this also affected Botnang. In 1621 the combined population of Botnang and the nearby town of Heslach was 645, by 1643 this had slumped to 210.
In 1765, Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Charles Eugene , Duke of Württemberg was the eldest son of Duke Karl I Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis .-Life:...
built Castle Solitude
Castle Solitude
Castle Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany , was built as a hunting lodge between 1764 and 1769 under Duke Karl Eugen of Württemberg. It is not a true castle, but rather a rococo palace. Since 1956 the area is part of the urban district of Stuttgart-West. The castle is located on a high plain between...
just beyond the woodland surrounding Botnang. Many of the craftsman involved in construction work took up residence in Botnang. The links to Castle Solitude, which now belongs to the district of Stuttgart-West, remain strong to this day.
Before the onset of industrialisation Botnang was known as a small township of launderers and bleachers. The woods benefitted from ample provisions of firewood and water so Botnang was in an ideal position to furnish the needs of the expanding city of Stuttgart. For many years the south facing hills also supported a small number of vineyards.
Religion
Botnang formed part of the parish of Feuerbach until the 15th century. In 1483 it became autonomous and established its own rectory. In 1530 the town was embraced by the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
. The oldest register of births in Botnang dates back to 1558.
Incorporation into the Urban District of Stuttgart
Botnang was affiliated to the parish of Feuerbach until 1483 and remained politically linked to Feuerbach until 1631.
On April 1, 1922 Botnang was officially incorporated into Stuttgart.
Until 1942, Castle Solitude and its entire residence remained under the jurisdiction of the district of Gerlingen (now officially the town of Gerlingen). On April 1, 1942 the palace was also incorporated into the Urban District of Stuttgart and re-designated to the District of Botnang.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
.
Economy and infrastructure
Public transportationBotnang lies to the east of the L 1187 (Wildparkstraße) which forms the main road link between Stuttgart and Leonberg
Leonberg
Leonberg is a town in the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg about 10 miles to the west of Stuttgart, the state capital. Approximately 45,000 people live in Leonberg, making it the third biggest borough in the rural district of Böblingen .Leonberg is most famous for its picturesque market...
. The Wildparkstraße is also an important access road to the nearby State Autobahn (motorways), the A81 and A8. Local transport is operated by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG. This encompasses
Underground services:
- U4 Untertürkheim – Ostendplatz – Charlottenplatz – Botnang
- U9 Hedelfingen – Raitelsberg – HauptbahnhofStuttgart Hauptbahnhofis the Hauptbahnhof of the city of Stuttgart, the capital of the Land of Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. It is the largest regional and long-distance railway station in Stuttgart, the main node of the Stuttgart S-Bahn network, and, together with the halt at Charlottenplatz, the main...
– Vogelsang (– Botnang)
limited services during school holidays and outside rush hours
Bus:
- 91 Sindelfingen – Vaihingen – Botnang – Feuerbach
- N2 Schlossplatz – Botnang – Schlossplatz (Fr/Sa/Su nights)
Schools in Botnang
Primary schools: Franz-Schubert school, Kirchhalden school
Senior schools: Evangelische Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik
People, culture and architecture
Local architectureRegular events
Every summer a street festival is organised by club members of A.R.G.E. Botnang. This takes place on the streets along Marktplatz/Griegstraße/Franz-Schubert-Straße on the last Saturday before schools break up for the summer holidays.
The A.R.G.E. also organises an annual Christmas Market held on the Saturday preceding the 1st Advent. Until 2005 this always took place on Alte-Stuttgarter-Straße. In 2006 the Christmas Market moved to Griegstraße.
The Lantern Procession takes place annually in the middle of October and attracts up to 800 participants. The procession takes place in two waves through the brightly decorated old town of Botnang, culminating on the open area next to the modern sports hall with a huge bonfire.
Notable people from Botnang
Jürgen KlinsmannJürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
was manager of the German national football team from 2004 until 2006. During his playing career he was part of the German squads that won the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
in 1990 and UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
in 1996. Klinsmann grew up in Botnang where his family still runs the Klinsmann bakery to this day.
Ulf Merbold
Dr. Ulf Dietrich Merbold is the first West German citizen and second German native to have flown in space. He is also the first member of the European Space Agency Astronaut Corps to participate in a spaceflight mission. He holds the distinction of being the first non-US citizen to reach orbit in...
, German physicist and the first West German astronaut.
Politics
The District Council of Botnang has 11 members. Following local elections in 2004 the seats were divided as follows: CDU 4, SPD 3, Bündnis 90 / The Greens 1, FDP 1, FW (Freie Wähler) 2. The Head of the District Council is Wolfgang Stierle.External links
- Official homepage of Botnang
- http://www.botnangseite.de/
- Official homepage of Stuttgart
- Official Stuttgart Tourist Board