What if I told you that Freienwill, this seemingly quiet municipality, holds secrets dating back to the Bronze Age? Today, we’ll uncover the story of Freienwill. This is a place born from a “freiwillige,” or voluntary, resettlement.
Freienwill sits in the beautiful landscape of Angeln near Flensburg. It is a municipality in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg. Imagine this area long ago. The municipality consists of several parts. There is Kleinsolt, Kleinsolt-Heidefeld, Kleinsoltholz, Kleinwolstrup, and Wielenberg. Each has its unique charm. Freienwill itself is a “Straßendorf,” or street village. Kleinwolstrup is a “Haufendorf,” a clustered village.
But let’s go back in time. Freienwill’s history is closely tied to Kleinwolstrup. The village emerged from a voluntary relocation from Kleinwolstrup. Think of families deciding to build new homes. They ventured out creating what would become Freienwill.
Until 1936, a narrow-gauge railway connected Freienwill to Flensburg. It ran through Angeln. On March 24, 1974, Kleinsolt and Kleinwolstrup merged. This formed the Freienwill we know today. The new municipality didn’t take the name of either original village. Instead, it chose the traditional name of a residential area in Kleinwolstrup. This act symbolized unity and a fresh start.
The heart of Freienwill beats with agriculture. The area has evolved into a hub for commerce and services. Yet farming remains essential. The municipality’s coat of arms reflects this heritage. It is divided into blue and gold. This division symbolizes the union of Kleinsolt and Kleinwolstrup. An oak branch represents Kleinwolstrup. This represents the woodland in the municipality. Ears of grain stand for agriculture.
A granite bridge is also featured. This bridge represents Kleinsolt and the Kielstau River. The colors, gold and blue, represent harvest and water. They are also the traditional colors of Schleswig.
One notable landmark is the Fernmeldeturm Freienwill. Also known as the Flensburg-Freienwill telecommunications tower. Built in 1974 and 1975, it is a towering concrete structure. It reaches a height of 174 meters. That makes it one of the tallest of its type.
Also, the St. Johannes Church in Kleinsolt is a significant landmark. Dating back to the 12th century, it tells tales of centuries past. Another gem is the Grünbrücke in Kleinsoltfeld. It is the only remaining single-arch granite bridge in Angeln.
Today, Freienwill also thinks about tomorrow. To improve mobility for those without cars, it introduced a “Mitfahrbank.” This is a ride-sharing bench. It sits on Eckernförder Landstraße. People can sit and signal their desired direction. This encourages free rides in private vehicles.
Freienwill is more than just a place on a map. It’s a community. It’s where history meets the present. The municipality embraces progress while cherishing its roots. As you leave Freienwill, remember its story. It is a story of voluntary beginnings, unity, and enduring heritage.