Homberg (Efze)

Homberg (German pronunciation: [ˈhɔmbɛʁk] ⓘ) is a small town in the northern part of Hesse, a state in central Germany, with about 15,000 inhabitants.

Homberg lies in the transitional zone between the West Hesse Depression, a sunken area dating from the Tertiary sub-era, and the Knüll (or Knüllgebirge), a low mountain range.

[citation needed] In 1526, at the Marienkirche (church) under Hessian Landgrave Philip, the Homberg Synod took place, whereby Hesse became Protestant.

Peculiarities in the way that Homberg was built, not apparent at first glance, hint at something recognizable as a town plan.

Crookedness limits the streetscape optically, and at the end of the street is a T-junction, with a view of houses opposite.

[citation needed] The same effect was achieved when the town planner staggered the side lanes or had them meet the main streets at a slanted angle.

[citation needed] Homberg was granted town rights in 1231, and the first known seal dates from 15 years thereafter, namely 1246.

This one might be blazoned: Argent three trefoils vert – that is to say, a silver escutcheon with three green three-leafed cloverleaves on it in an inverted triangular pattern.

Their biggest win thus far has been the European ETTU Cup on 31 March 2006 with the team of Wenling Tan-Monfardini, Zhenqi Barthel and Yin Na.

Zhenqi Barthel from the Homberg Turnerschaft won the singles title at the 74th National German Championships in Minden in 2006.

Stadtkirche St. Marien Homberg's town church, St. Marien's or St. Mary's, holds a special place in Hessian Protestantism: in 1526, Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous convened a synod in Homburg that sat in this church, marking the point in time when the Landgraviate of Hesse became Evangelical.

Also, Erich Kaiser, a "homeland researcher" (Heimatforscher) and writer, often mentioned the veteran tree in his writings.

At the former place of the so-called baker's stall, demolished in early 1820, a newer and notable building was built that Hombergers call the Möbelwagen ("Furniture Van").

Remodelled in 1875 was the Simbelschanze ("Simpleton Lair"; Simbel is a Hessian dialect word) before the town hall.

Old schoolhouse or Opfermannhaus, barracks Built in 1750 as a residential house for the sexton (Opfermann) of the neighbouring church, the building also served as the town's first school.

Dörnbergtempel Built on the foundations of the old Bächtenturm (tower), it was the meeting place for the plotters of the Dörnberg Uprising in 1809.

Alter Friedhof (Old Graveyard) This had been a burying ground since 1580, but is now parkland where some of the grave markers, belonging to various Hombergers, are well worth seeing.

Also to be found there are graves containing the remains of Abbesses Marianne vom und zum Stein and Charlotte von Gilsa, and Justice of the Peace Martin, all of whom played key parts in the preparations for the Dörnberg Uprising against Jérôme Bonaparte in 1809.

The mosaic design is by Gerhard Dechant: Christus heilt zwei taubstumme Kinder – This training centre existed in freedom for 44 years in this building.

The building consisted of a broad middle section that housed classrooms, subject rooms, an assembly hall and the administration.

Das Neue Tor (The New Gate) This was built in 1536 when Die Freiheit was established to afford access between the two towns.

In the wake of the failed Dörnberg Uprising in 1832, the convent had to move to Fulda, whereafter the building became a residence for the pedagogues from the teachers' college.

Hospital zum Heiligen Geist Endowed in 1368 by the priest Heinrich Bischof in aid of the poor and sick.

Baumbachscher Burgsitz at the Upper Gate Above the entranceway here is a family coat of arms with a recumbent half-moon and two stars.

Stadthalle Built in 1909-1911 as the Restaurant Stadtpark, this building underwent restoration after decades of changing uses, and since 1991 it has been used as a municipal hall.

Wells and cisterns While Westheimer Straße was being renovated in 2006, two long lost and forgotten examples of Homberg's historical water supply were rediscovered and reconstructed.

The picture shows the so-called Radbrunnen ("wheel well") in the foreground at left, and up at the Besenmarkt (Broom Market), an old water cistern can quite clearly be seen.

Artworks On 19 May 2005 on Wallstraße in Homberg, a collaborative work by Christina Fiand and Ernst Groß was put up.

The artwork, called Die Stelzengänger ("The Stilt Walkers") is a commissioned work by the Town of Homberg and the Kraftstrombezugsgenossenschaft (KBG; Electrical Supply Coöperative).

Homberg is sometimes said to be the only district seat in Germany that is not on the railway network, but several other such towns exist, for example in Bavaria.

Kassel Fulda (district) Hersfeld-Rotenburg Kassel (district) Marburg-Biedenkopf Waldeck-Frankenberg Vogelsbergkreis Vogelsbergkreis Werra-Meißner-Kreis Knüllwald Homberg (Efze) Frielendorf Schwarzenborn Neukirchen Oberaula Ottrau Schrecksbach Willingshausen Schwalmstadt Gilserberg Jesberg Neuental Bad Zwesten Borken Morschen Malsfeld Wabern Felsberg Spangenberg Melsungen Körle Guxhagen Edermünde Gudensberg Niedenstein Fritzlar
Hohenburg lookout tower
Town Hall
St. Mary's
The tide dial at St Mary's
August Vilmar in 1868
Schwalm-Eder district's coat of arms
Schwalm-Eder district's coat of arms