Once Ciolfesheim now Zeilsheim was founded in 794. Zeilsheim stands as Frankfurt’s westernmost district. Its history is rich and varied. Today, let’s explore Zeilsheim together.
The district offers something of a rural charm. Open fields surround it and sometimes afford a clear view of the Taunus mountains. It is hard to believe this is part of a major city.
Zeilsheim is bordered by several communities. To the west is Kriftel. Liederbach am Taunus lies to the north. Unterliederbach is to the northeast. Höchst is to the east. Sindlingen is to the southeast. The Bundesautobahn 66 runs along its north and west borders.
The Landesstraße 3018 serves as Zeilsheim’s main street. It connects Kelkheim to Hofheim am Taunus. You might hear it called Pfaffenwiese or Hofheimer Straße. Public transport heavily relies on this road. Buses connect Zeilsheim to various locations including Bockenheim and Niederrad.
Hoechst AG initiated a settlement in Zeilsheim. This provided worker housing close to its factories. Neu-Zeilsheim was the main street of this settlement. The streets intersecting it were ordered alphabetically. A church built in 1912 stands in the center of this area today. The Käthe-Kollwitz School, built in 1902, sits on the western border.
Taunusblick and Märchensiedlung are notable settlements. Taunusblick allows you to see the Taunus mountains on clear days. Märchensiedlung features facades with images from the Brothers Grimm stories.
Zeilsheim became part of Höchst in 1917. Then in 1928, it was incorporated into Frankfurt proper.
After World War II, Zeilsheim gained recognition. It housed a camp for Displaced Persons and exiles. David Ben-Gurion and Eleanor Roosevelt visited it in 1946. A monument behind the city hall commemorates this community.
Zeilsheim’s camp housed a vibrant community. It had a Jewish theatrical group and a synagogue. There was even a jazz orchestra. Sports were played in the club named Chasmonai. Schools like an ORT school served the children. The camp library held about 500 books. Two Yiddish newspapers circulated. The Jewish population peaked at approximately 3,570 in October 1946.
The camp faced challenges. There were protests against British policies on Jewish immigration to Palestine. Judah Nadich and David Ben-Gurion visited the camp. The U.S. Army wanted to return houses to workers. They eventually postponed the transfer date. The camp finally closed on November 15, 1948.
SV Zeilsheim plays in the Hessenliga. This is the fifth tier of German football.
Zeilsheim is divided into North, South, and West districts. Each offers unique characteristics.
Today Zeilsheim maintains its unique identity. It blends rural charm with historical significance. The district’s story is a reminder of its past. It looks forward to the future.