Suche
Mein Konto
The Old Town Hall in Völklingen: Secrets and history revealed!
Freiberg am Neckar: Discover the history, architecture and most important sights of the city in the heart of Germany.
The Old Town Hall in Völklingen: Secrets and history revealed!
The charm of the old town hall in Völklingen is unmistakable and characterizes the town center. The striking tower of the former administrative center is not only an architectural highlight, but also an important landmark for the people of Völklingen. It stands in direct comparison to the towers of the Eligius Church and the Church of Reconciliation and can be seen particularly impressively from Karl-Janssen-Straße. The tower connects the two wings of the Old Town Hall, which today houses the city library and the adult education center, making it a central point for education and culture in the city. The Saarbrücker Zeitung reports that the historic building even has a prison cell that bears witness to its interesting history.
Völklingen itself has a long and diverse history. Archaeological finds show that the place was already inhabited before the 8th century. The first written mention of the name “Fulcolingas” was in 822 by Emperor Louis the Pious. The name could come from a Frankish clan leader named Fulko or Fulkilo. In the Middle Ages, the city was characterized by agriculture, crafts and trade and gained market rights in 1535. Around 1804, 613 people lived here, while industrialization caused the population to grow to over 10,000 by 1904.
Economic advancement and cultural significance
A crucial turning point in the city's history was the acquisition of a disused ironworks by the Röchling industrial family in 1881, which ushered in an economic boom. This economic boom is still noticeable today, because the Saarstahl company has established itself as a producer of high-quality steel with international success. The Völklingen Ironworks, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, attracts more than 200,000 tourists every year who visit the exhibitions and concerts on site.
The town of Völklingen is surrounded by other dominant landmarks, including the Eligius Church, the Church of Reconciliation and the New Town Hall, an eight-story administrative center. In addition, Völklingen consists of nine other districts, which together increase the diversity and quality of life of the city. The city center of Völklingen is a dazzling example of the interaction of history, culture and industrial heritage.