Perhaps you didn’t know that Vellmar is a town nestled in the Kassel district of Hesse, Germany. Vellmar gained city rights in 1975 marking its 1200th anniversary. This makes it one of the youngest cities in the district of Kassel.
Now, let’s step back to the very beginning. The first mention of Vellmar dates back to 775 AD. At that time, it was known as Filmare. But evidence suggests even earlier human presence. A 7000-year-old grindstone was discovered in the Vellmar area.
The modern town of Vellmar was formed on July 1, 1967. This happened through the merging of Frommershausen and Niedervellmar. Later, on December 1, 1970, Obervellmar joined Vellmar.
Between 1975 and the mid-1980s, Vellmar saw significant development. The city center took shape with the town hall and shops. The Musikerviertel residential area was also built. In 1986, the Ahnepark was created. It is a local recreation area along the Ahne river. The Ahne river flows through Vellmar.
Vellmar consists of four distinct districts. These are Obervellmar, Niedervellmar, Frommershausen and Vellmar-West. Each one contributes to the town’s unique identity.
In terms of transportation, Vellmar has two railway stations. They are Obervellmar and Niedervellmar. The B7 road also passes through the town. A tram connection to Kassel is under construction.
Vellmar maintains international relations. It is twinned with Zell am See in Austria. It also has ties with Bewdley in the United Kingdom and Szigetszentmárton in Hungary.
The town’s symbol is its coat of arms. It features a quartered shield in red and silver. A ring in alternating colors lies over the shield. This symbolizes the four districts of Vellmar. Black lines separate them. The center represents the town center.
The flag of Vellmar features a broad white band. Two narrow red stripes border it. The town’s coat of arms sits in the upper third of the flag.
Several interesting sights dot Vellmar. The church in Frommershausen is around 850 years old. Parts of it show late Gothic style. In Obervellmar, the parish church has a late Gothic west tower. The ship was renovated in 1616. It was expanded in 1824 with classical designs. The Heeren family built the organ in 1773.
The Ahnepark is a highlight. It offers water areas and sports facilities. The Sommer im Park festival is a popular event. The Geschichtskreis Vellmar operates a local museum. It is located in Hof Helse which was established in 1790.
Vellmar is also part of the Märchenlandweg hiking trail. The section runs from Schärferberg to Vellmar and Kassel.
In 2022, Vellmar had a population of 18,474 residents. About 8,787 were male and 9,687 were female. Vellmar is small but vibrant. Its history is rich and its community is active.