Umkirch
Encyclopedia
Umkirch is a municipality in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald
in Baden-Württemberg
, Germany
. It is located around 5 kilometres west of Freiburg im Breisgau.
shrds
and coins were found and the church was built onto a Roman building, as a part of its wall was found.
When the Romans left in sixth century, Allemanian clans settled in Umkirch, ruled by the Lords of Üsenberg, a noble family. After they were vanquished, the family of Kageneck ruled the area. In 1806, Umkirch became part of the district of Freiburg.
Historically, it is first mentioned in 1087 in a document about the exchange of the monastery St. Ulrich in the Hexental (Witches' Valley) between the Bishop of Basel
, Burkard, and the Monastery of Cluny in France. A witness present at the deal is named as "Humbert de Untkilcha". In 1270, Umkirch is given to the knight Dietrich Snewlin, later to several others, among them Martin Malterer, the count palatine
s of Tübingen
and Flora Countess of Wrbna, until it was given to Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden.
Part of Umkirch is the village of Dachswangen: in 1924 it became part of the village.
On April 20, 1945, Umkirch was occupied by the French after World War II
. It was administered by governor Pierre Pène. During World War I
, Umkirch lost twenty one citizens, during World War II
, thirty citizens. Twelve others are recorded as missing in action.
magistrate, called Centenarius Elilant. He was also called "Hunde" (meaning leader of a hundred). Apparently this name was given to the village: Hundechilche, meaning "Hunde's Church".
The church of Umkirch dates back into the second half of the 11. century. It is one of the oldest churches in Breisgau
. The church was mentioned first in a letter, dated April 14, 1139 from Pope Innocent II
, to Basel
.
With the freeway, there exists a very good connection to the highway A5 and to Freiburg, whose city can be reached within fifteen minutes. A beltway has been built, leading the major part of the traffic around the village.
Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald
Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald is a district in the south of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are Emmendingen, Schwarzwald-Baar, Waldshut, Lörrach and the French départements of the Haut-Rhin and the Bas-Rhin. The district-free city of Freiburg is surrounded by the district...
in Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
, 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...
. It is located around 5 kilometres west of Freiburg im Breisgau.
History
The settlement has existed since Roman times (about 100 BC) and was called Ecclesia in Undis (Church beneath the Waves - maybe because of the two small rivers floating passing through the village). SigillatTerra sigillata
Terra sigillata is a term with at least three distinct meanings: as a description of medieval medicinal earth; in archaeology, as a general term for some of the fine red Ancient Roman pottery with glossy surface slips made in specific areas of the Roman Empire; and more recently, as a description...
shrds
Sherd
In archaeology, a sherd is commonly a historic or prehistoric fragment of pottery, although the term is occasionally used to refer to fragments of stone and glass vessels as well....
and coins were found and the church was built onto a Roman building, as a part of its wall was found.
When the Romans left in sixth century, Allemanian clans settled in Umkirch, ruled by the Lords of Üsenberg, a noble family. After they were vanquished, the family of Kageneck ruled the area. In 1806, Umkirch became part of the district of Freiburg.
Historically, it is first mentioned in 1087 in a document about the exchange of the monastery St. Ulrich in the Hexental (Witches' Valley) between the Bishop of Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, Burkard, and the Monastery of Cluny in France. A witness present at the deal is named as "Humbert de Untkilcha". In 1270, Umkirch is given to the knight Dietrich Snewlin, later to several others, among them Martin Malterer, the count palatine
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
s of Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
and Flora Countess of Wrbna, until it was given to Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden.
Part of Umkirch is the village of Dachswangen: in 1924 it became part of the village.
On April 20, 1945, Umkirch was occupied by the French after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was administered by governor Pierre Pène. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Umkirch lost twenty one citizens, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, thirty citizens. Twelve others are recorded as missing in action.
Church
The first church in Umkirch was built by a FrankishFrankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
magistrate, called Centenarius Elilant. He was also called "Hunde" (meaning leader of a hundred). Apparently this name was given to the village: Hundechilche, meaning "Hunde's Church".
The church of Umkirch dates back into the second half of the 11. century. It is one of the oldest churches in Breisgau
Breisgau
Breisgau is the name of an area in southwest Germany, placed between the river Rhine and the foothills of the Black Forest around Freiburg im Breisgau in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, which partly consists of the Breisgau, is named after that area...
. The church was mentioned first in a letter, dated April 14, 1139 from Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:...
, to Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
.
Economy and Infrastructure
Umkirch is a separate community; it has still maintained its village-like character. However, this idyll is influenced by the freeway which leads through 20.000 cars a day through the city, which create often traffic jams. One of the reasons is possibly the location of the industrial area just opposite the freeway connection. Also, the creation of high-riser restroyed much of the village atmosphere.With the freeway, there exists a very good connection to the highway A5 and to Freiburg, whose city can be reached within fifteen minutes. A beltway has been built, leading the major part of the traffic around the village.
Mayors
Year denotes date when they first occupied office:- 2002 Walter Laub
- 1986 Ulrich Greschkovitz
- 1959 Franz Heitzler
- 1946 Serafin Frieder
- 1946 Franz Spiegelhalter
- 1945 Anton Hirzle
- 1941 Serafin Risch
- 1935 Theodor Knoll
- 1920 Wilhelm Hirzle
- 1900 Johann Kirner
- 1870 Franz Xaver Spiegelhalter
- 1862 Josef Hercher
- 1859 Mathias Hirzle
- 1832 Johann Schweitzer/Schweizer
District Council
The local elections on June 13, 2004 resulted in the following seating:| CDU | 45,1% | -7,3 | 6 seats | -2 |
| UBU | 33,2% | +33,2 | 5 seats | +5 |
| SPD | 21,7% | -7,7 | 3 seats | -1 |
| others | 0,0% | -18,1 | 0 Sitze | -2 |