Gazing up at this old tree, have you ever thought about the story behind the Graf-von-Wiser-Eiche? It is more than just bark and leaves. This oak stands as a tribute to Josef Graf von Wiser.
Josef Graf von Wiser was no ordinary man. He was the first head of the State Forestry Office Karlsruhe-Hardt. This office formed in 1919. It came from the merger of the Karlsruhe and Friedrichstal court forestry and hunting offices.
The Graf-von-Wiser-Eiche marks a significant point. It is about 500 meters west of Elbinger Street. The Gedichtpfad or Poetry Path begins nearby. The last panel of this path stands proudly by the oak.
The Graf-von-Wiser-Weg also passes by it. This path stretches from Durlacher Tor in Karlsruhe. It goes through the Fasanengarten. Then it continues past the Graf-von-Wiser-Eiche. It goes on to Blankenloch and Friedrichstal. The path ends at a forest intersection near Graben-Neudorf.
But who were the von Wisers? The Grafen von Wiser were nobles. They came from Lower Austria. They served the Palatinate from the 17th century. Franz Melchior von Wiser became an Imperial Count in 1702. The family owned land in Kraichgau. Two lines emerged in 1708 and 1709. The Wiser-Siegelsbach line died out in 1938. The Wiser-Leutershausen line continues today.
The family held high political offices. This was especially true during the Palatinate-Neuburg era. They pushed for re-Catholicization. Eustachius Wiser is considered the family’s forefather. He was mentioned in 1450 near Melk. Christoph Wiser was knighted in 1500. He earned it fighting in the Turkish wars. The family crest features a six-pointed star.
The family later served the Palatinate-Neuburg. They converted back to Catholicism. Gottfried von Wiser was a councilor in Neuburg. He later became director and chancellor. Franz Melchior von Wiser succeeded his father as chancellor.
Franz Melchior received the Hirschhorn fiefs in 1696. This included Zwingenberg and parts of other villages. He got Siegelsbach and more places in 1698. In 1700, he also gained Leutershausen. He made his home in Siegelsbach. The Grafen von Wiser expanded it into Schloss Siegelsbach.
After Franz Melchior’s death his sons split the property. Ferdinand Andreas founded the Leutershausen line. Franz Joseph started the Siegelsbach line.
Ferdinand Andreas von Wiser built Schloss Wiser in Leutershausen. He also founded Ferdinandsdorf. He inherited villages through his marriage. Despite being Catholic he respected the local religions. He even took Jewish families under his protection.
The Graf-von-Wiser-Eiche stands silently. It connects us to Josef Graf von Wiser. It also connects us to the Grafen von Wiser. Their influence shaped this region. So next time you pass by this oak take a moment. Remember the people and stories. They are rooted deep within its rings.