Villingen-Schwenningen


Villingen-Schwenningen is a town in the Schwarzwald-Baar district in southern Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has 85,838 inhabitants.

History

In the Middle Ages, Villingen was a town under Austrian lordship. During the Protestant Reformation it remained Catholic. Villingen came to international attention when it was besieged by Marshal of France Camille d'Hostun, duc de Tallard on 17 July 1704. Colonel Von Wilstorff put up a stout defence of the outdated fortifications, and after six days the siege failed.
Schwenningen remained a village until the 19th century. In 1858 the first watch factory was established, and watchmaking and precision mechanics have been important industries ever since. The town styled itself "the greatest watch city in the world" at one time, and the Kienzle Uhren watchmaking company was founded there in 1822 and remained until moving to Hamburg in 2002. The Museum of Clockmaking celebrates the town's clock and watchmaking history.
As part of the Baden-Württemberg territorial reform of 1972, Villingen and Schwenningen were merged with a number of surrounding villages to form the city of Villingen-Schwenningen. Nevertheless, the two halves of the city are separated by a plateau and remain distinct. Villingen is a former part of Baden, while Schwenningen is a former part of Württemberg.
Villingen is a major center of German Carneval celebrations. The traditional Narros represent the old citizens of Villingen: Alt Villingere, Morbili, Narro, Suribbel.
Since 1904, Villingen-Schwenningen has also been home to the ice hockey team the Schwenninger Wild Wings which competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

Geography

Villingen-Schwenningen lies on the eastern edge of the Black Forest about above sea level. The source of the River Neckar is in Schwenningen whereas Villingen is traversed by the river Brigach which is the longer one of the two headstreams of the Danube.

Boroughs

Number of inhabitants


Source: State Statistical Office of Baden-Württemberg

Largest communities of foreigners

Main sights

Villingen-Schwenningen is twinned with:
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