Wallenfels

Wallenfels is a town in the district of Kronach, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated in the Franconian Forest, 11 km east of Kronach, and 32 km west of Hof.

This article is about the town in Germany. For the American actress and choreographer, see Jessica Wallenfels.
Wallenfels
Town
Coat of arms of Wallenfels
Coat of arms
Location of Wallenfels within Kronach district
Wallenfels is located in Germany
Wallenfels
Wallenfels
Wallenfels is located in Bavaria
Wallenfels
Wallenfels
Coordinates: 50°16′03″N 11°28′24″E
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Admin. regionOberfranken
DistrictKronach
Subdivisions5 Ortsteile
Government
 • Mayor (2020–26) Jens Korn[1] (CSU)
Area
 • Total45.60 km2 (17.61 sq mi)
Elevation
382 m (1,253 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total2,568
 • Density56/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
96346
Dialling codes09262
Vehicle registrationKC
Websitewww.wallenfels.de

Geography

Wallenfels lies on the B 173, between Hof and Coburg. Neighbouring communities are Kronach, Marktrodach, Schwarzenbach am Wald, and Presseck.

Tradition

The Swedish flag, which is still associated with a unique custom today, goes back to the year 1634 according to oral tradition. Numerous stories are linked to the old Swedish flag, the pride of the Wallenfels. It is said that when the Swedes invaded Wallenfels during the Thirty Years' War, the militia defended the Lower Gate. Many of them are said to have died, but a Swedish flag was captured, after which it was hidden under the Schwedenbrücke (Sweden Bridge).[3]

Etymology

There are two possible explanations for the origin of the name "Wallenfels". The simple but unlikely one is the combination of the German words “wallen” and “Fels”. Wallen is a verb which is best translated as "to undulate". The word Fels means "rock".

The version favoured by the town's mayor is that Wallenfels’ name comes from the noble family "von Waldenfels". The family owned Waldenfels castle which was located on a hill north of the town. It was destroyed in the German Peasants' War in 1525. Even until the Thirty Years War the town itself used to be called Waldenfels. The name changed into Wallenfels in the 18th century.[4]

Twin towns – sister cities

Wallenfels is twinned with:

References
  1. Liste der ersten Bürgermeister/Oberbürgermeister in kreisangehörigen Gemeinden, Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik, 15 July 2021.
  2. Genesis Online-Datenbank des Bayerischen Landesamtes für Statistik Tabelle 12411-003r Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes: Gemeinden, Stichtag (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011)
  3. https://www.wallenfels.de/wallenfels/wissenswertes/schwedenfahne/ (in German)
  4. E-mail conversation with town mayor Jens Korn, 2021
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