How did aurochs inspire a town’s nickname? Here in Harleshausen, history isn’t just etched in stone. It’s woven into the very identity of its people. This is Harleshausen, Kassel’s northwesterly suburb.
Harleshausen’s story stretches back to Neolithic times. Evidence suggests early settlements thrived here. Bronze Age burial mounds hint at ancient lives lived on this very ground.
The year 1074 marks Harleshausen’s first written mention. A man named Ruothnc gifted land to Hasungen Monastery. This act placed Harleshausen on the map. In 1125, noblemen of Hersfeld Monastery were mentioned at Kirchhofsburg. They sold the rest of their possession in 1399. These nobles possessed their own church. They even employed a priest. Later, Harleshausen was assigned to the parish of Weißenstein. Despite this, it remained politically connected to the Uff’r Ahna district. Harleshausen shared a Schöppenstuhl court with Wolfsanger.
Fast forward to 1556. It was noted that many properties existed in Harleshausen. However, they contributed nothing to the church. A peculiar incident in July 1604 forever changed Harleshausen’s reputation. The villagers of Harleshausen killed an aurochs. This aurochs belonged to Landgrave Moritz of Hessen-Kassel. For 235 years, Harleshausen paid a penalty. The payments finally ceased in 1839. This event led to the enduring nickname: Ossenköbbe or Harleshäuser Ossen. These translate to “ox heads” or “Harleshausen oxen.” A local poem immortalizes this event. “An aurochs went spatzmausen from Wilhelmshöh’ to Harleshausen. And when he came into Lückkenrod, the Harleshausen people struck him dead…” An inscription near Firnskuppe reinforces this. It states that every child calls the people of Harleshausen “Ossen”.
In 1747, a census recorded 304 inhabitants. The Thirty Years’ War and the Seven Years’ War brought devastation. The church tower was destroyed during the Seven Years’ War. In the 18th century, Harleshausen became part of the parish of Kirchditmold.
The 19th century saw a rise in population. Mayor Martin Homburg oversaw land consolidation between 1882 and 1902. His successor, Wilhelm Führer, led the creation of Harleshausen’s own Protestant church. A new school helped form a new town center.
The railway arrived in 1848. However, Harleshausen didn’t get a station until the early 20th century. The platforms were updated around 1970.
In 1908, the Erlöserkirche was completed. This neo-Gothic church boasts a 49.5-meter tower. A community center was added in 1958. By 1930, Harleshausen had over 4000 residents.
Harleshausen became part of Kassel in 1936. About 70 hectares were ceded to Ober- and Niedervellmar. The Herz Mariae Catholic Church was dedicated in 1957. The Harleshausen sports hall was built between 1979 and 1980. In 1980, Harleshausen was restructured. Jungfernkopf became its own district.
The Ossenplatz in the town center was inaugurated in 2014. The name literally translates to Oxen Square.
Today, Harleshausen is a blend of history and modernity. The Uhrtürmchen, rebuilt in 1985, stands as a symbol of Harleshausen. The Ossenbrunnen, erected in 1979, features an ox head. It marks the former location of a churchyard destroyed in the Seven Years’ War.
Harleshausen, with its aurochs tale and community spirit, remains a unique part of Kassel.