Schönau, Rhineland-Palatinate
Encyclopedia
Schönau is a village in the Südwestpfalz
district, in Rhineland-Palatinate
, western Germany
on the French border. It has a population of roughly 600.
A former monastic yard grew into the village near the end of the Middle Ages, due to the establishment of an iron ore smelting plant by the Dukes of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken
. The popularity of Wasgauer iron ore, which was smelted in Schoenau, reached its peak in the middle of the 19th century and lasted until 1883, when the facility was shut down.
The post office issued a special stamp to mark the occasion of Schönau’s 850th anniversary in the year 1982.
Schönau was the seat of many social organizations over the years, the first one being "Gesellschaft für Verschönerung der Wegelnburg" formed around the year 1860.
Veterans of the Franco-Prussian War
(1870–1871) formed "Kriegskameradschaft Schönau" in 1904.
In the same year also a local's group and an administration office of the “federation of Christian building craftsmen and assistant building laborer of Germany” developed in Schönau.
In 1912 came the establishment of the cyclist association "Waldeslust".
Between the First and Second World Wars, several church sponsored associations existed in Schönau . Kirchenchor (Pfarrcäcilienverein) young man’s association, a trade association as well as the trombone choir Schönau/Hirschthal, and in 1928 the “German youth strength” (DJK) which consisted of a track-and-field events and a football department. All of these organizations were shut down during the Second World War.
In addition it is the nearest village to Wegelnburg Castle
, which is the highest altitude castle ruin of the Palatinate Forest (572m).
Südwestpfalz
Südwestpfalz is a district in the south of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Neighboring districts are Saarpfalz, the district-free city Zweibrücken, the districts Kaiserslautern and Bad Dürkheim, the district-free city Landau , Südliche Weinstraße, and the French département Bas-Rhin...
district, in Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
, western Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on the French border. It has a population of roughly 600.
A former monastic yard grew into the village near the end of the Middle Ages, due to the establishment of an iron ore smelting plant by the Dukes of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken is a former state of the Holy Roman Empire. Its capital was Zweibrücken.-Overview:→ History before 1394 see main article County of Zweibrücken→ History before 1444 see main article County of Veldenz...
. The popularity of Wasgauer iron ore, which was smelted in Schoenau, reached its peak in the middle of the 19th century and lasted until 1883, when the facility was shut down.
The post office issued a special stamp to mark the occasion of Schönau’s 850th anniversary in the year 1982.
Schönau was the seat of many social organizations over the years, the first one being "Gesellschaft für Verschönerung der Wegelnburg" formed around the year 1860.
Veterans of the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
(1870–1871) formed "Kriegskameradschaft Schönau" in 1904.
In the same year also a local's group and an administration office of the “federation of Christian building craftsmen and assistant building laborer of Germany” developed in Schönau.
In 1912 came the establishment of the cyclist association "Waldeslust".
Between the First and Second World Wars, several church sponsored associations existed in Schönau . Kirchenchor (Pfarrcäcilienverein) young man’s association, a trade association as well as the trombone choir Schönau/Hirschthal, and in 1928 the “German youth strength” (DJK) which consisted of a track-and-field events and a football department. All of these organizations were shut down during the Second World War.
In addition it is the nearest village to Wegelnburg Castle
Wegelnburg Castle
The Wegelnburg is a ruined castle near Schönau in the Palatinate Forest in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, near the border with France. Its location is at a height of 572m, making it the highest ruined castle in the Palatinate Forest....
, which is the highest altitude castle ruin of the Palatinate Forest (572m).