“Ahusen,” an ancient name whispers through time. This is Winterhausen. Today, we explore this market town in Bavaria. Winterhausen sits in the Maindreieck. It is on the left bank of the Main river. The town lies between Würzburg and Ochsenfurt.
Winterhausen has a rich history. A stone inscription from 986 mentions “Ahusen.” This refers to both Winterhausen and Sommerhausen. Bishop Hugo of Würzburg gifted these lands to the Andreaskloster.
In 1311, Markgraf Waldemar von Brandenburg pledged Reichsgüter to Albert von Hohenlohe. These included “Sumerahusen” and “Winterahusen.” Kaiser Karl IV confirmed this in 1347. By 1445, Winterhausen was fully owned by the Limpurger family. The Grafschaft Castell relinquished its claim.
Winterhausen once belonged to the limpurgischen Herrschaft Speckfeld. In 1803, it became part of Bavaria. Then, in 1810, it went to the Grand Duchy of Würzburg. By 1814, it was back in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
Locals had to perform compulsory services for the Grafen von Rechteren-Limpurg until 1848. They had to deliver the first field fruits to the castle in Markt Einersheim. This sparked a citizen protest in Winterhausen in 1848. Citizens demanded their rights in writing. They confronted the police, who drew a saber. A citizen disarmed the officer and broke the saber.
The names Winterhausen and Sommerhausen are linked to their patron saints. The Saint Nikolaus feast day is in winter.
Notice the town hall. It has rich Baroque features on Rathausplatz. Also see the old schoolhouse on Hauptstraße. Don’t miss the former parish church of St. Mauritius on Mauritiusplatz. You can still see remnants of Winterhausen’s late medieval fortifications. The old bridge toll house is near the former Main bridge.
Winterhausen’s coat of arms reflects its identity. It is divided into blue and silver. A golden crescent moon sits above. Below, there is a red grape hanging from a green vine. The moon represents Winterhausen. The grape symbolizes wine growing. The colors come from the Grafen von Limpurg-Speckfeld.
Winterhausen is known for its wine. The Winterhäuser Kaiser Wilhelm vineyard is named after Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig von Preußen.
The market town of Winterhausen has a lot to offer.