Gadheim

Where in Bavaria can you stand in the heart of Europe? It’s right here in Gadheim. This tiny village, nestled near Würzburg, holds a unique distinction. Since Brexit, Gadheim became the geographical center of the European Union. This small, unassuming hamlet of about 80 residents, part of the Veitshöchheim municipality, now boasts a claim to fame few could have predicted. Gadheim, a primarily agricultural village just six miles north of Würzburg, wasn’t always the center of the EU. The distinction shifted here from Westerngrund, also in Bavaria, after the United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020. Now, a small paved plaza with a bench welcomes visitors to this special spot. Three flags flutter in the breeze: Veitshöchheim, Germany, and the European Union. A surveying marker embedded in a boulder pinpoints the precise location: 9 degrees, 54 minutes, 7 seconds east longitude and 49 degrees, 50 minutes, 35 seconds north latitude. These coordinates were calculated by the National Geographic Institute in Paris. The field marking the center of the EU belongs to Karin Keßler, a local farmer. For Keßler and her family, Europe holds a special significance. Her father, Edmund Kilian, was an 18-year-old soldier sent to Normandy in 1944. He was tasked with defending against the Allied forces. While he survived mostly unscathed, he witnessed the deaths of his friends. These experiences shaped his life. He shared these stories with his children and grandchildren as a reminder of the dangers of nationalism. Until his death in 2019, Kilian championed the idea of a unified Europe. So, while having the EU center on her land is an honor, the night of Brexit was bittersweet for Karin Keßler. It was the first time the center shifted due to a member state leaving. The mayor of Veitshöchheim, Jürgen Götz, also acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the event. He expressed a willingness to relinquish Gadheim’s title if, perhaps, Kosovo or Serbia joined the EU, or if Scotland rejoined. In the meantime, Gadheim embraces its newfound fame. The field is now a destination for visitors, adding to the attractions of Veitshöchheim. The town is known for its location on the Main River, its Rococo gardens and palace designed by Balthasar Neumann, and its Franconian carnival tradition. Gadheim’s central location has already scored a win for the community. German television will broadcast its morning show live from Veitshöchheim for two weeks during the European Football Championship.