Once upon a time, Schönaus story began with a monastery. Founded in 1142 by the Bistum Worms the town grew around it. The monastery came under the Kurpfalz patronage in the 12th century. It became a house monastery and burial place for the Pfalzgrafen.
Now, Schönaus history is intertwined with religion and immigration. In 1558 the Kurpfalz became protestant. The monastery was taken over and monks were expelled. In 1562, 35 Calvinist refugee families from Wallonia were settled here. They transformed the monastery into homes. These immigrants brought weaving and dyeing skills to the rural area. Imagine the clash of cultures. Farmers meet skilled Walloon artisans.
Schönau was first called a town around 1600. It officially gained this status later though. The administrative seat of Kellerei Waldeck moved to Schönau after Burg Waldeck’s destruction. It remained there until 1803. Schönau became part of Baden at the start of the 19th century. By 1900, it had about 2000 residents.
Schönau briefly lost its town rights in 1935 but regained them in 1956. After World War II, Schönau welcomed 553 refugees. This increased the population to 3035 by 1947. It shows Schönaus resilience and welcoming spirit.
Schönau today includes Altneudorf since 1975. Altneudorf was first mentioned in 1316 as “Nuendorf”. The Strahlenberg family likely founded it in the 13th century. It was associated with Burg Waldeck until 1803 when it went to Baden. To distinguish it from Wilhelmsfeld, it was called Altneudorf.
Let us talk about Schönaus landmarks. The evangelische Stadtkirche was built around 1230. It served as the monastery’s Herrenrefektorium. Baumeisters from Burgund built it in the late Romanesque style. Early Gothic elements are visible too. The Dreisitz comes from the former Klosterkirche.
The Klostertor dates back to around 1200. The Torhaus is next to it. It is a timber-framed building on the Georgskapelle foundations. The Georgskapelle was built around 1600. The early Gothic arch leads to the Torhaus.
The Hühnerfautei was built around 1250 in Romanesque style. It now houses the stadtgeschichtliche Museum. It also serves as a cultural center. The name relates to the Zinsmeisters work. This official collected taxes in money or goods.
The Rathaus stands on the former Zisterzienserklosters Kapitelsaales foundations. The Konvent governed the monastery from here. Contracts were signed. Abbots and important people were buried here. Konrad von Hohenstaufen who was Kaiser Barbarossa’s brother was buried here.
The Wallonenhaus is a timber-framed house from 1588. It stands on the Klosterschmiede foundations. The Klosterglocke was cast here in 1357. It is the Odenwaldes oldest Glocke. It is now in the evangelischen Stadtkirche Erbach im Odenwald tower. The Schenken von Erbach took it there in 1563.
Schönau has over fifty Vereine. They focus on sport, culture, and community. Gesangvereine Eintracht Altneudorf and MGV Liederkranz 1841 e.V. contribute to culture. The TSV 1890 e.V. and SV Altneudorf contribute to sport.
Schönau also has an active industrial side. The Schönauer Schulmöbelfabrik, Beckenbach GmbH, and Odenwald-Chemie GmbH are well known. Schwarzbeck Mess-Elektronik is in Altneudorf.
Today Schönau stands as a testament to time. Its layers of history are visible. From its monastic origins to its modern industries it has a tale to tell. The echoes of monks, refugees, and industrialists resonate here.