Stierstadt

Did a man named Suicger truly shape Stierstadt’s destiny? Let’s uncover the captivating story of Stierstadt, right here in Oberursel, Frankfurt am Main. Our journey begins in 791 AD. A document, the Lorsch Codex, records Suicger’s donation of land, a servant, and two homesteads to the Lorsch monastery. This act marked Stierstadt’s entry into recorded history. Stierstadt wasn’t always part of Oberursel. It was once a separate village, evolving over centuries. In 1860, the arrival of the Homburger Bahn, today’s S-Bahn line 5, connected Stierstadt to the wider world. Industry followed. In 1892, the Frankfurter Broncefarben- und Blattmetallfabrik opened in the old Neumühle. This factory played a role during World War II, reportedly producing munitions. Later, from 1947 to 1990, it housed the Hessenglaswerke GmbH glassworks, established by refugees from Sudetenland. The 20th century brought rapid change. Stierstadt transformed from a farming village with 1,355 residents in 1935 to a commuter town with over 3,500 inhabitants by 1968. Finally, in 1972, Stierstadt became a part of Oberursel. Stierstadt’s heart beats around St. Sebastian Church. Initially a chapel built in 1348, it served a community that previously traveled to Oberursel for mass. The church evolved. It became a Pfarrvikarie in 1898 and a separate parish in 1918. Rebuilt in 1670 and expanded in 1933, the church took on its current form in 1971. Designed by Bernhard Weber, it features a striking expressionistic design. The altar, crafted from basalt lava stone, is the focal point. The warm hues of brick and wood contrast with the vibrant stained glass of the east window. Stierstadt holds more than just buildings. The Dorflinde, a majestic summer linden tree, graces the village square. Planted around the end of the Thirty Years’ War, it stands as a silent witness to centuries of history. Nearby lies the Stierstädter Heide, a unique landscape shaped by human activity. Conservation efforts preserve its distinct character. From the whimsical “Schloss Sanssouris,” a small barn that housed a publishing house, to the annual Grenzgang hike and the lively Kerb festival, Stierstadt weaves together history and tradition. As you stand here, imagine the footsteps of generations past, shaping the Stierstadt we see today.