Merkers-Kieselbach


Merkers-Kieselbach is a former municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany. Since 31 December 2013, it is part of the municipality Krayenberggemeinde.

Geography

Merkers-Kieselbach lies on either side of the River Werra near the Thuringian Forest and Rhön hills. It contains the settlements of Merkers, Kieselbach and Kambachsmühle.

History

Kieselbach was first mentioned 1155 in a deed from Kloster Hersfeld, and Merkers in 1308.
Merkers-Kieselbach was formed in 1994 by merging the two village councils. but didn't last long, as in
2013 it too merged with the neighbouring Dorndorf forming Krayenberggemeinde.
The ceremonial coat-of arms of the authority was designed in 1994 by the heraldic designer Uwe Reipert. The "Wellenbalken or silver fess wavy" with "Kieseln- golden stones" symbolises the word Kieselbach, the castle symbolises the Krayenburg Crossed miners hammers and a green hill are included.

Population statistics

Population

Last Council

The last Merkers-Kieselbach chamber had 16 elected members:
The last elected Bürgermeister, Inka Sollmann, taking 91% of the popular vote.

World War II

The Merkers area of the municipality is famous for its Nazi storage sites for art during [World War II|salt mine], where large amounts of Nazi gold, and many stolen works of art were discovered by the United States Army in 1945. General Dwight D. Eisenhower himself went into the mine in April 1945 in order to examine the find. The area is now a visitor attraction, the Merkers Adventure Mines.

Capture of Merkers

Merkers was captured by the advancing Third Army in the spring of 1945.
Battle History, 3rd Bn., 358th lnf:

Culture and attractions