Centuries whisper secrets here in Altenritte. Altenritte is a part of Baunatal now. But once, Altenritte stood alone. Let’s step back to a time when Altenritte was just a small village.
Altenritte’s story stretches back over 1200 years. The first documented mention of Altenritte appears in 775. Imagine life in those early days. Villagers worked the land and lived by the seasons.
In 1330, Landgrave Heinrich gave Johann Riedesel land in “Wenigen Ritte.” This was Altenritte. He also granted land in “Grosin-Ritte,” which is now Großenritte. These two villages shared a history.
Fast forward to more recent times. The rapid growth of Altenbauna changed everything. A surge of people came to the area. This created a need for new housing and infrastructure. To manage this growth, Altenritte joined with Altenbauna and Kirchbauna. This union formed the community of Baunatal on January 1, 1964. Later, in 1966, Baunatal gained city rights.
Two linden trees stand proudly before Altenritte’s church. These trees are natural monuments. Beneath them lies a piece of history. You can see the remains of a baptismal font from 1787 and an old community table. These objects offer glimpses into Altenritte’s past.
Altenritte has always been a place of community. In 1981, a community center opened. This center provides a space for local clubs and activities. Even the little ones have a place in Altenritte. A local daycare center welcomes young children.
The people of the surrounding area have nicknames for Altenritte’s residents. They call them “Altenritter Kuckucke” or “Stoppen.” These playful names add to the village’s unique character.
In 2011, Altenritte had 2,436 residents. This included a small percentage of foreign residents. The population was diverse in age. There were young children, working-age adults, and senior citizens. Altenritte was home to many different households.
Looking back further, Altenritte’s population has changed over the years. In 1585, there were 244 households. By 1639, this number had dropped to only 17. In 1747, it rose again to 37 households. These numbers reflect the ups and downs of life in a small village.
Religion has also played a role in Altenritte’s story. In 1885, all residents were Protestant. By 1961, the population was still mostly Protestant. But there was also a growing Catholic community.
Today, Altenritte is a vibrant part of Baunatal. It retains its own unique identity. Altenritte’s history is preserved in its landmarks and traditions. Come explore the Heimatmuseum Hessenstube and the Freilichtmuseum “Alte Schmiede”. You can see how people lived and worked in the 19th and 20th centuries.