Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern
Lautre (Palatine German) | |
---|---|
Location of Kaiserslautern in Rhineland-Palatinate | |
Urban district | |
Government | |
• Lord mayor (2023–31) | Beate Kimmel[1] (SPD) |
Area | |
• Total | 139.74 km2 (53.95 sq mi) |
Elevation | 251 m (823 ft) |
Population (2021-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 99,292 |
• Density | 710/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Postal codes | 67655–67663 |
Dialling codes | 0631, 06301 |
Vehicle registration | KL |
Website | kaiserslautern.de |
Kaiserslautern (German pronunciation:
Kaiserslautern is home to about 100,000 people. Additionally, approximately 45,000 NATO military personnel are based in the city and its surrounding district (Landkreis Kaiserslautern), contributing approximately US$1 billion annually to the local economy.[3]
History and demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1611 | 2,120 | — |
1683 | 940 | −55.7% |
1810 | 3,654 | +288.7% |
1830 | 7,292 | +99.6% |
1871 | 17,896 | +145.4% |
1900 | 48,310 | +169.9% |
1910 | 54,659 | +13.1% |
1919 | 55,707 | +1.9% |
1933 | 62,619 | +12.4% |
1950 | 62,761 | +0.2% |
1961 | 86,259 | +37.4% |
1970 | 99,617 | +15.5% |
1987 | 97,326 | −2.3% |
2011 | 96,340 | −1.0% |
2018 | 99,845 | +3.6% |
Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions. source:[4] |
Medieval period
Kaiserslautern received its name from the favourite hunting retreat of
The Stiftkirche, Kaiserslautern's oldest church, was constructed in 1250–1350. As the population of Kaiserslautern grew, King
By 1375, the city of Kaiserslautern was pledged to
Reformation
In 1519,
Conflict did not end with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The Elector of the Pfalz had difficulty with many of his subjects and ordered all castles, including Nanstein, destroyed. The French repeatedly invaded and occupied the area, residing in Kaiserslautern in 1686–1697. Nevertheless, after the treaty of Utrecht it was restored to be part of the Palatinate. During the unquiet episodes in the 18th century, the Palatinate was the scene of fighting between French and German troops of different states. In 1713, the French destroyed Barbarossa's castle[5] and the city's wall towers. From 1793 until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the area was under French administration.
Bavarian province
As French power declined after 1815, Kaiserslautern and the Palatinate became a Bavarian province and remained so until 1918. After World War I, French troops again occupied the Palatinate for several years.
World War II
In
Unexploded ordnance from WWII continues to be discovered in and around Kaiserslautern. In May 2012 an unexploded 250-pound (110 kg) Allied bomb was found, buried deeply and reportedly covered by water pipe, during a construction project in the downtown area of the city. On 5 September 2013, another WWII bomb was found during construction near the train station in Enkenbach-Alsenborn.
Cold War era
In the late 1940s, Kaiserslautern area became the largest U.S. garrison outside the United States (Kaiserslautern Military Community).
On 14 November 1956, a U.S. Air Force F-86 fighter jet crashed into the district office in the Burgstrasse / Maxstrasse area. In addition to the pilot, two civilians were killed, and numerous wounded.
With the incorporation of the previously independent communities of Dansenberg, Erfenbach, Erlenbach, Hohenecken, Mölschbach, Morlautern and Siegelbach on 7 June 1969, Kaiserslautern became a city. The University of Kaiserslautern was founded in 1970.
Industry flourished around the time of the first oil crisis (1973). In the 1970s, many industrial companies went through a crisis. In 1981, the spinning mill went bankrupt; Pfaff and Opel fired employees. The downsizing of the American garrison and the withdrawal of the French garrison cost more jobs.
Climate
Kaiserslautern has a moderate climate with adequate rainfall year-round. It is classified as a "
Climate data for Kaiserslautern | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4 (39) |
5 (41) |
10 (50) |
13 (55) |
19 (66) |
22 (72) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
20 (68) |
15 (59) |
9 (48) |
5 (41) |
14 (58) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 1.3 (34.3) |
2.1 (35.8) |
5.7 (42.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
13.9 (57.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
19.1 (66.4) |
18.4 (65.1) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.2 (41.4) |
2.3 (36.1) |
9.7 (49.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1 (30) |
−2 (28) |
2 (36) |
3 (37) |
8 (46) |
12 (54) |
14 (57) |
13 (55) |
9 (48) |
6 (43) |
3 (37) |
1 (34) |
6 (42) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 65 (2.6) |
59 (2.3) |
65 (2.6) |
53 (2.1) |
69 (2.7) |
64 (2.5) |
64 (2.5) |
63 (2.5) |
59 (2.3) |
74 (2.9) |
66 (2.6) |
81 (3.2) |
782 (30.8) |
Average precipitation days | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 178 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
86 | 83 | 76 | 71 | 70 | 75 | 76 | 79 | 80 | 83 | 88 | 90 | 80 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 48 | 77 | 118 | 169 | 194 | 207 | 224 | 211 | 154 | 102 | 54 | 38 | 1,596 |
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst[12] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Wetterkontor[13] |
Culture, tourism, and sports
Modern-day Kaiserslautern is a centre of information and communications technology, home to a well-known university, a technical college and many international research institutes located throughout the city. Kaiserslautern is a popular destination for tourists, offering a range of attractions, and sites for tourists to visit.[14] [15]
The tallest building in the centre of Kaiserslautern is St. Mary's, a Roman Catholic church, whilst the highest structure in all Kaiserslautern is the television tower in the suburb of Dansenberg, southwest of the city centre.
Kaiserslautern's large botanical gardens feature a Japanese-style garden. Another unusual feature is the Waschmühle (also known as "Wesch"), an enormous 160-metre (520 ft) public swimming pool that is the largest in Europe. There are several pedestrian-only shopping zones with numerous and varied restaurants and bars located in the city centre surrounding the old city (Altstadt). In the Altstadt you will find the "Kaiserbrunnen", a large ornamental fountain with symbols of the city's history such as a sewing machine, as produced by the Pfaff company in the city, a football representing the city's football club and various animals that children can climb.
Kaiserslautern has a diverse culinary sector, offering visitors the chance to sample dishes from across the world. [17]
Kaiserslautern is located in one of the largest contiguous forested areas in Central Europe, the Palatinate Forest, which offers numerous hiking trails and lakes to visitors.
Notable attractions
Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern
Local theatre Pfalztheater employs more than 300 people and features plays, operas, ballets, concerts, and musicals. The first German performance of
The Kammgarn
The Kammgarn is classified as a historical site. It served as a spinning factory before being transformed into the cultural heart of Kaiserslautern. This renovation has preserved its historical character while incorporating the latest sound and lighting technologies. The Kammgarn stands among the top venues in Germany and serves as a first-call club for rising groups and performers as well as established jazz, rock, blues and pop artists in Europe. Performances have included international stars
and Jan Garbarek.Gartenschau (garden exhibition)
Better known as the 'Dino Park' because of its lifesize dinosaur models, the Gartenschau is open from April through October and is popular with families. Having begun as a series of botanical displays and enjoying success at the first State Garden Exhibition of Rhineland-Palatinate in Kaiserslautern in 2000, this 54-acre (220,000 m2) park has been transformed into one of the most multi-dimensional cultural centres in Germany.
Fritz-Walter-Stadion
The Fritz-Walter-Stadion is a football stadium that accommodates 48,500 fans. In June 2006, after renovation, the stadium was one of 12 to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup. It is also home to 1. FC Kaiserslautern, which won the Bundesliga four times and the wheelchair basketball team FCK Rolling Devils.
Kaiserslautern Zoo
The Kaiserslautern Zoo was founded in 1968 and is located in Kaiserslautern's Siegelbach neighbourhood. It is home to many different animals including some nearly extinct regional species.
Museums and libraries
- Palatinate Gallery of Art/Pfalzgalerie (art gallery, mainly pictures and sculptures from the 19th and 20th century)
- Wadgasserhof / Theodor-Zink-Museum (local history)
- Stadtbibliothek (Municipal Library)
- Universitätsbibliothek (university library of Kaiserslautern)
- Hochschulbibliothek (Bibliothek of Fachhochschule)
- Pfalzbibliothek (scientific library with a main focus on the Electorate of the Palatinateissues)
Other places of interest in Kaiserslautern, and the surrounding area, are:
- The Humberg Tower, an observation tower on the Humberg hill which was built in 1900 and offers a great view over the Palatinate Forest
- Karlstal (a whitewater canyon)
- Kaiserpfalz, the castle of emperor Barbarossa(Redbeard)
- Nanstein Castle, Landstuhl, a castle in the district
- Hohenecken Castle, in a suburb/ward of Kaiserslautern
- Gartenschau, a horticultural show, including the largest dinosaur show in the EU
- Quaidersberg(394 metres or 1,293 feet), a hill and natural monument 500 metres (1,600 feet) outside the city
Education, science, and business
Universities
- The Technical University of Kaiserslautern was founded on 13 July 1970. Earlier, it was part of the twin University of Trier/Kaiserslautern. It started with the departments of Mathematics, Physicsand Technology. Later many more faculties were added.
- University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern was founded in 1971. The main departments including Applied Logistics & Polymer Sciences, Building and Design, Business Administration, Engineering and Computer Sciences / Microsystems Technology.
Research centres
- German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence
- Fraunhofer IESE
- Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics
- Max Planck Institute for Software Systems
- Association Internationale pour les Technologies Objets[18]
Businesses
Kaiserslautern has a broad-based commercial economy. Among the big companies located in the city are:
- Adam Opel AG(engines and components factory)
- AMECEarth & Environmental (environmental consulting and engineering)
- Avid Technology (formerly Blue-Order)
- Empolis GmbH (content & knowledge management software)
- General Dynamics European Land Systems-Germany (until 2002 Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern; amphibious vehicles, mobile bridges for military use)
- IKEA
- John Deere Research and Development branch
- Johnson Controls, formerly Keiper (carseats)
- Pfaff Industrie Maschinen AG (sewing machines)
- EuroMaint
Religion
Churches
The largest church is St. Mary's (Marienkirche), a Roman Catholic church. There is also the historic Protestant Church of the Apostle (Apostelkirche). At the heart of the city is the large and old Stiftskirche (also Protestant). All three have large pipe organs and occasionally host concerts. [19]
Mosques
In Kaiserslautern there is an Islamic Centre for the Muslim communities situated in the centre of the city. The Ditib Fatih Camii is a Turkish mosque in Kaiserslautern. There is also a university mosque at the University of Kaiserslautern. There is a total 3 mosques in Kaiserslautern.[20]
Synagogues
The city was once the site of the magnificent
US military base
Between 1950 and 1955, Kaiserslautern developed into the largest US military community outside of the United States. For this reason Kaiserslautern is also referred to as "K-town"; a term coined by the early American military population who had difficulty pronouncing the name.
Twin towns – sister cities
Kaiserslautern is twinned with:[23]
- Davenport, United States (1960)
- Douzy, France (1967)
- Saint-Quentin, France (1967)
- Newham (London), England, United Kingdom (1974)
- Bunkyō (Tokyo), Japan (1988)
- Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany (1988)
- Pleven, Bulgaria (1999)
- Columbia, United States (2000)
- Guimarães, Portugal (2000)
- Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2003)
Friendly cities
Kaiserslautern also has friendly relations with:
Notable people
- Countess Palatine Dorothea of Simmern (1581–1631), countess
- Mathias Abel (born 1981), footballer
- Otto Bradfisch (1903–1994), economist, jurist, and SS-Obersturmbannführer
- Wolfgang Demtröder (born 1931), physicist and spectroscopist
- war criminal
- Mark Forster (born 1983), singer
- Hitler Cabinet1933–1943
- Florian Fromlowitz (born 1986), footballer
- Reiner Gies (born 1963), boxer, Olympic medalist
- Stefanie Giesinger (born 1996), model
- Theo Härder (born 1945), computer science professor
- lichenologist
- Hans Robert Hiegel (born 1954), architect
- Raphael Holzdeppe (born 1989), pole vaulter, world champion
- Johann Heinrich Jung (1740–1817), author
- Klaus Knopper (born 1968), electrical engineer and free software developer
- Werner Kohlmeyer (1924–1974), footballer, 1954 World Cup winner
- Werner Liebrich (1927–1995), footballer, 1954 World Cup winner
- David May (1848–1927), Jewish emigrant to America and founder of department stores that later incorporated Macy's
- Markus Merk (born 1962), football referee
- Karl Mildenberger (1937–2018), heavyweight boxer
- Willi Orbán (born 1992), footballer
- Vanden Plas (formed 1986), progressive metal band
- Johan Adam Pollich (1741–1780), doctor, botanist and entomologist
- etcher
- Albert Speer (1934–2017), architect and urban planner
- Heinrich Steiner (1911–2009), painter and printmaker
- Johanna Terwin (1884–1962), actress
- Stefanie Tücking (1962–2018), radio and television presenter
- Fritz Walter (1920–2002), footballer, 1954 World Cup winner
- Ottmar Walter (1924–2013), footballer, 1954 World Cup winner
- Zedd (born 1988), Russian-German record producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter
See also
- Betzenberg, a Kaiserslautern district
- Betzenberg Wildlife Park
References
- ^ Beate Kimmel ist neue Oberbürgermeisterin von Kaiserslautern – Klaus Weichel im Ruhestand, SWR Aktuell, 28 August 2023.
- Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland-Pfalz. 2022.
- U.S. Army Installation Management Command – Europe Region. Archived from the originalon 28 March 2008.
- ^ German Wikipedia: "Population development of Gelsenkirchen"
- ^ a b c Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 636.
- ISSN 2194-5020.
...dass König Ludwig I. von Bayern im Jahre 1843 den Begriff „Barbarossastadt" prägte, als er Kaiserslautern als pfälzischer Landesherr besuchte.
- ^ "Hecht oder Karpfen? Geschichten und Geschichte zum Kaiserslauterer Stadtwappen - Stadt Kaiserslautern" [Pike or carp? Stories and history about the Kaiserslautern city coat of arms]. Stadt Kaiserslautern (in German). Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Kaiserslautern". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "St. Martin's Church". Stadt Kaiserslautern. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Kaiserslautern". the Guardian. 21 December 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ Climate Summary for Kaiserslautern
- ^ "Mittelwerte 30-jähriger Perioden". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Klima Deutschland, Ramstein". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Things to Do in Kaiserslautern". Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Kaiserslautern tourism". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "mpk – Museum Palatinate Gallery". Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Delectable dishes, ambiance at Kaiserslautern's Pho Viet beg to be sampled". 18 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Association Internationale pour les Technologies Objet". Association Internationale pour les Technologies Objet. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Marienkirtchen". Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Mosques in Kaiserslautern Germany".
- ^ "synagogue KL". Kaiserslautern: Medienzentrum Kaiserslautern – Aktuelles. Archived from the original on 20 November 2005.
- ^ "Kaiserslautern Military Community". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "Partnerstädte". kaiserslautern.de (in German). Kaiserslautern. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
External links
- Kaiserslautern travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Official website (in German)
- History of Kaiserslautern
- Website about some restaurant and festival reviews in and around K-Town
- Muslims five Prayer time