VVG der Gemeinde Gundelfingen

What binds a town and its outlying hamlet together? Let’s delve into the shared narrative of Gundelfingen and Wildtal, brought together under the VVG der Gemeinde Gundelfingen. The VVG der Gemeinde Gundelfingen represents more than just administrative unity. It speaks to a shared history stretching back centuries. Gundelfingen, first documented in 1008, likely traces its roots back to the 4th century. A leader named Gundolf and his Alemanni tribe settled in the fertile Breisgau region, giving the town its name. Over the centuries, Gundelfingen passed through various hands, from the Zähringers to the Counts of Freiburg and finally to the Margraves of Baden. Wildtal’s story, etched on its village fountain, intertwines with the imposing Zähringen Castle. Built in the late 11th century, the castle became a symbol of power and influence, shaping Wildtal’s destiny. The villagers lived under the castle’s shadow, subject to its lords and their demands. In 1327, both Gundelfingen and Wildtal were sold to the Freiburg mayor Schnewelin Bernlapp. However, it was the determined Gabriel Schnewlin Bernlapp von Bollschweil who secured Wildtal and a portion of the castle ruins for his descendants. He even took up residence in the Vogtshof, a farmhouse still bearing that name today. Wildtal changed hands several times, even becoming Austrian territory for a period. The residents often rebelled against oppressive lords, with one farmer even traveling to Vienna to plead their case. In 1815, Wildtal returned to German governance under the Grand Duke of Baden. The VVG der Gemeinde Gundelfingen, reflecting this shared history, formalized the union of these two distinct communities. In 1971, a majority of Wildtal’s residents voted to join with Gundelfingen. This decision brought Wildtal, with its castle ruins and close ties to Freiburg, back into the fold with Gundelfingen and its Reutebach valley. It marked a return to the kind of unity unseen since the days of the Zähringen dukes. The VVG der Gemeinde Gundelfingen stands as a testament to this intertwined destiny. It embodies the resilience, the struggles, and the enduring connection between Gundelfingen and Wildtal.