Villingen-Schwenningen: Germany's largest double-name city in focus!

Villingen-Schwenningen: Germany's largest double-name city in focus!

The city of Villingen-Schwenningen is not only the largest municipality with a double name in Germany, but also a fascinating example of the merger of two historically grown cities. This special community was created on January 1, 1972, when the two independent towns of Villingen and Schwenningen were merged as part of a regional reform in Baden-Württemberg. Loud Mercury Villingen-Schwenningen currently has 89,784 inhabitants (as of November 2024).

Both areas of the city have their own characteristic features. While Villingen is known for its impressive half-timbered houses and has a history as a commercial and administrative center, Schwenningen is inextricably linked to watch production. These differences are reflected not only in the architecture, but also in the mentality of the residents. Villingen is considered a city with Catholic heritage, while Schwenningen is Protestant, which influences the social and cultural practices in both districts.

Historical development and merger

The history of the two cities goes back to the year 817, when they were first mentioned in a document from Emperor Ludwig I. Villingen was destroyed several times over the centuries and annexed to various territories, including Austria and Württemberg, before falling to Baden in 1806. Schwenningen, on the other hand, grew rapidly as an industrial town in the 19th century, particularly due to the development of the watchmaking industry.

The merger of Villingen and Schwenningen took place after a positive vote from citizens who recognized the advantages of a merger. The result is a city that received its own coat of arms in 2001, which combines the elements of both coats of arms. However, in terms of organization, the two districts must still be viewed economically separately, as they each have their own postal codes and town halls.

Social and cultural differences

The different political cultures and mentalities of the two districts are another interesting feature of Villingen-Schwenningen. As a planned city, Villingen was shaped by the Zähringer dynasty and has an axes and an oval floor plan. In contrast, Schwenningen is developing rather unplanned with a large number of workers' housing estates and lower-middle-class houses.

The religious differences between neighborhoods also have a profound impact on the way their residents live. Protestants from Schwenningen often celebrate festivals such as carnival in Catholic Villingen, which promotes integration and exchange between cultures. At the same time, the Swabian mentality in both parts of the city shapes the perspective and way of life of the people who are rooted in the region.

Another interesting point is the smallest municipality with a double name in Baden-Württemberg: Häg-Ehrsberg in the Lörrach district only has 825 inhabitants, which makes the contrast to Villingen-Schwenningen clear. The wealth of cultural heritage and historical background impressively shows how diverse the community in Baden-Württemberg is.