Bad Windsheim

Bad Windsheim (East Franconian: Winsa) is a small historic town in Bavaria, Germany with a population of almost 12,000. It lies in the district Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim, west of Nuremberg. In the Holy Roman Empire, Windsheim held the rank of Imperial City (until 1802). Since 1810 Windsheim is part of Bavaria. In 1961, it became a spa town and has since been called "Bad Windsheim".

Bad Windsheim
Town
Market square of Bad Windsheim
Market square of Bad Windsheim
Coat of arms of Bad Windsheim
Coat of arms
Location of Bad Windsheim within Neustadt a.d.Aisch-Bad Windsheim district
Bad Windsheim is located in Germany
Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim is located in Bavaria
Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim
Coordinates: 49°30′N 10°25′E
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
DistrictNeustadt a.d.Aisch-Bad Windsheim
Subdivisions14 Ortsteile
Government
 • Mayor (2020–26) Jürgen Heckel[1]
Area
 • Total78.26 km2 (30.22 sq mi)
Elevation
321 m (1,053 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total12,643
 • Density160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
91438
Dialling codes09841
Vehicle registrationNEA, SEF, UFF
Websitewww.bad-windsheim.de

Climate

The climate in this area shows only small differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[3]

History

A document from 741 proves for the first time the existence of the town, then called Uuinidesheim. The name changed to "Windsheim" by linguistic development, meaning "the home of the wind".

In the late stage of World War II, a Volkssturm battalion took control of the town and refused to surrender to the approaching American troops, declaring Windsheim a "fortress". Demonstrations led by a number of women demanding the local Nazi representative in the town to uphold orders for the destruction of Bad Windsheim ahead of the Allied approach (early April 1945). American troops eventually captured the town after deploying fire bombs through aerial bombing. The civilian population was forced to flee from Windsheim under enemy fire. The town was rebuilt after the war.

Attractions

The town is known for its waters and spa, Franken-Therme, and an open-air museum, the Freilandmuseum, which brings together old farms and farmhouses from the area. On the first weekend in August every year Bad Windsheim is the location for an event called Weinturm Open Air, a concert on the top of a hill in the town. The town also features a war memorial in the form of a large statue of Roland.

Imperial City of Windsheim
Reichsstadt Windsheim
1248–1802
StatusFree Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire
CapitalWindsheim
GovernmentRepublic
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• City founded
before 741
• Gained Reichsfreiheit
1248
• Political alliance with Nuremberg
1344
1802
• Renamed Bad Windsheim
1961
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Bishopric of Würzburg
Electorate of Bavaria

Notable people

Sons and daughters of the town

Personalities who worked locally
  • Francis Daniel Pastorius (1651–1719), German lawyer and writers, he is considered to be the founder of the first German settlement in North America.

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. Climate Summary for Bad Windsheim (from Weatherbase.com)
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