Seven kilometers south of Heidelberg lies Leimen. A town steeped in history. Its story begins long before its first documented mention in 791. That year the Lorsch Abbey and the Diocese of Worms both held land here. Leimen was more than just a collection of villages.
Leimen wasn’t always a town. It was formed in the 1970s. This was during a communal reform. Villages like Leimen Gauangelloch and Sankt Ilgen merged to create it. The state government granted Leimen town status in 1981. Its population soared past 20000 in 1990. It then became a Grofe Kreisstadt in 1992.
The Bergstrafe Mountain Road winds through Leimen. So does the Bertha Benz Memorial Route. This route marks Bertha Benz’s pioneering journey. She helped establish the automobile industry. The route celebrates her bravery and innovation. Leimen’s location made it a crucial trade route for centuries. This explains its growth and its development as an industrial center.
Leimen has a rich history. It held annual fairs starting in 1579. It became a marketplace in 1595. Yet disaster struck in 1674. Parts of Leimen were destroyed. Records from 1270 show that Gauangelloch was already established then. Lingental is recorded in 1312. Ochsenbach around 1300. Sankt Ilgen’s history stretches back to around 1100. It was called bruch then. This is Old High German for bog.
Leimen’s current layout includes the original Leimen now known as Leimen Mitte. This is surrounded by Gauangelloch Lingental Ochsenbach and Sankt Ilgen. Despite its industrial past Leimen’s town center remains charming. It’s a vibrant place with many festivals and activities. At Ochsenbach you’ll find the NDB NKR. I am not certain what this abbreviation stands for. Perhaps someone in the audience can enlighten us?
Leimen boasts notable residents. Joseph von Henikstein a businessman and patron of the arts was a friend of Mozart. Anne Spiegel a prominent politician was born here. Michael Peter a field hockey Olympian died in Leimen. Rainer Zietsch a footballer and coach also hails from Leimen. So does Boris Becker. The famous tennis player. He was born here in 1967. Leimen’s story continues to this day. It is a testament to the power of community growth and resilience.