Did you know that the Odenwald bei Schriesheim is not just any forest? It is a protected area. This special place has a captivating history. The Odenwald bei Schriesheim, near Schriesheim, is part of the Natura 2000 network. It is a European network of protected areas.
In 764, a document mentions Suonhar bequeathing his Schriesheim possession to Ellwangen Monastery. Over centuries, this distant monastery became the largest landowner in the area. Around 1250, the Lords of Strahlenberg founded a town and castle at the foot of the Ölberg. The castle ruin still overlooks Schriesheim.
Schriesheim experienced both prosperity and destruction. In 1347, the Palatinate acquired Schriesheim. But by 1470, Schriesheim lost its town rights due to war. The town gained new importance. The Äpfelbach court was moved to Schriesheim. This court oversaw villages north of the Neckar River.
The Mathaisemarkt, a market dating back to 1579, still survives today. Schriesheim faced destruction in the Thirty Years’ War in 1632. It was also damaged in 1674 during the Dutch War. French soldiers looted and burned the town.
Around 1820, early industrialization led to large paper factories. Mining and paper production made Schriesheim an industrial center for decades. The quarry, still visible, came later. Schriesheim benefited from the railway in 1890.
The Odenwald bei Schriesheim spans around 839 hectares. That is about 2,073 acres. It includes parts of Dossenheim, Schriesheim, Weinheim and Hirschberg. The area features forests, grasslands, and old quarries. These quarries have open rock faces.
This area supports diverse habitats. You can find flowing waters, meadows and forests. There are also rocky slopes. These habitats are home to various species. Protected species include the bright and dark clouded blue butterflies. You might also spot the stag beetle, yellow-bellied toad or various bat species.
The Spatschlucht Schriesheim is a unique natural site. It formed around 1800 from the mining of Schwerspat. Schwerspat is used in white paint and paper production. The narrow gorge has up to 10-meter-high rock walls.
The Odenwald bei Schriesheim is more than just a forest. It is a place of history, industry, and natural beauty. The Odenwald bei Schriesheim invites you to explore its trails and discover its hidden stories.