Pfinztal-Berghausen

Welcome to Pfinztal-Berghausen

Named after the river “Pfinz” the community of Pfinztal was founded in 1974 from the formerly independent communities of Berghausen, Kleinsteinbach, Sölligen and Wöschbach (Wöschbach is not on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route). With approximately 18000 inhabitants Pfinztal is the biggest community without town charter in Baden-Württemberg. The community cooperates with several towns and cities on a partnership base – these are Leerdam (Netherlands) and Rockycany (Czech Republic).

More than half of the communities area is under nature and landscape protection. The landscape is quite interesting topographically. Picturesque riversides of the Pfinz, pristine forests, meadows and vine slopes characterize the landscape.

Due to the close proximity to Karlsruhe and other cities the community is fast to reach by car and pubic transportation, and hence a popular trip destination and as well as a living space. Not only the excellent reachability but the tranquil location and the intact community life are the reason for the villages’ attractiveness.

The community is very active concerning the use of renewable energies. Despite the use of photovoltaic facilities on several public buildings a hydroelectric power plant helps to deliver the green energy the community needs. Two wood chip-heating facilities create more then 50% of the heating needed for public buildings.

Trivia

• The name of Pfinztals biggest part with 7054 inhabitants first appears in a document in the year 771. In following of this documentarian mentioning this is the second oldest place in the district of Karlsruhe, after the town of Bretten.
• The first mention of a water castle in Berghausen is made 1516. The castle portal is still visible today in the Brückenstraße 9.
• The inhabitants of Berghausen were 1525 the first to follow the peasant uprising.
• One of the oldest buildings in the community is the inn “Laub” which is run in its 18th generation now. Napoleon Bonaparte is rumored to have visited the coaching inn on his way to Tirol in 1808. 1812/13 he is rumored to have passed the community again during his withdrawal from Beresina.
• 1848/49 the community served as the headquarters of the uprising in the revolution of Baden.
• During the course of the Second World War two thirds of all the buildings were damaged due to bombings.
• Nowadays the community is residence of the “Pfinztaler Education Center”. The award winning new city center and the “Ratssaal” (big hall) were erected in 2002. The former city hall was demolished in favor of the construction of the federal road B3 in the 1970’s.
• On the “Hummelsberg” (Hummels mountain) the Frauenhofer ICT for chemical technology is located. Here research is performed for the defense-, automobile- and other industries.