How often does a village earn a royal seal of approval? Tiengen, a district within Freiburg im Breisgau, did just that. It became part of the city on January 1, 1973. Today, let’s explore Tiengen.
Tiengen is located roughly ten kilometers west of Freiburg. It sits near Tuniberg between Opfingen and Munzingen. Around 3,700 residents called Tiengen home at the end of 2022. The district covers 838 hectares. 746 hectares remain undeveloped. Autobahn A 5 / E 35 runs through the eastern part of the district. It includes the Anschluss 63 Freiburg-Süd. The B 31 once ran through the town. It was downgraded to a Kreisstra\u00dfe in Tiengen and Munzingen. The road ran parallel to the Autobahn.
Notably, Tiengen’s history stretches back centuries. It was first mentioned in 888. The name was “Tunginga.” King Arnulf gifted it to the Monastery of St. Gallen. The monastery gained extensive possessions here. Tiengen appeared again in 1008. King Heinrich II mentioned it in a donation document. Other Freiburg districts were named too: Herdern, Wiehre, and Zähringen. The town’s coat of arms reflects these two owners. The bear represents St. Gallen. The bishop’s staff stands for Basel.
Did you know Tiengen once belonged to several lords? By the 15th century, it was part of Badenweiler. In 1499, it came under Markgraf Christoph von Baden. As part of the Margraviate of Baden, Tiengen turned Protestant during the Reformation. This affiliation is evident in the local Alemannic dialect. Like Opfingen, Tiengen speaks High Alemannic. In contrast, Munzingen remained Catholic. They speak a Low Alemannic dialect.
Consider the evangelische Kirche. It bears the name of Saint Symphorianus. The church tower reaches 36 meters high. Its tip aligns with Freiburg’s Münsterplatz.
Now, let’s talk transport. As of December 2022, a fast bus line connects Tiengen directly to Freiburg’s main train station. There are no stops in between. Also, a bus runs to Freiburg every half hour. It connects to tram line 3 in Haid. Frelo, a bicycle rental system, has a station in Tiengen. Cyclists can use a bike path along the B 31. It links to the FR 6 and Freiburg’s bike network. A bike path runs along the Mühlbach. It goes from Munzingen to Opfingen and Waltershofen. The Grüne Stra\u00dfe and Breisgau Radweg also run on this path. The Tunibergradweg runs across the Tuniberg. It connects to Merdingen and Gottenheim. Drivers can access the A 5 via the Freiburg-Süd exit. The B 31 and B 3 connect Tiengen to Freiburg.
Don’t miss the Terrassenhäuser built in 1973. They stand out in the townscape. Tuniberghaus is a venue on the eastern edge of town. Gasthaus “Zum Anker,” built in 1650, is in the town center. Schlatthöfe lies outside the town in Mooswald. It dates back to the 13th century. It is now a winery with a Strau\u00dfwirtschaft.
Before we move on, take a moment to appreciate Tiengen. Though wine-growing has declined relatively, the town still retains a deep cultural connection to it. Moreover, asparagus cultivation is significant. Tiengen and Opfingen are known for asparagus far beyond the region. Tiengen offers a blend of history and rural charm. Its story reflects the changing tides of time.