Spangenberg


Spangenberg is a small town in northeastern Hesse, Germany.

Geography

Spangenberg lies in the Schwalm-Eder district some southeast of Kassel, west of the Stölzinger Gebirge, a low mountain range. Spangenberg is the demographic centrepoint of Germany.

History

The town of Spangenberg had its first documented mention in 1261, at about the time when the Treffurt family ruled Spangenberg.

Historic sights

The town is known for Spangenberg Castle, built in 1253. There are also half-timbered buildings in the Old Town and the remains of the town's old wall, several of whose towers are still standing.
In World War II, Spangenberg Castle was used as a prisoner of war camp, Oflag IX-A/H. There was a second camp a few miles to the south - Oflag IX-A-Z.

Coat of arms

Spangenberg's civic coat of arms is based on the town's oldest known seal from 1317. The object on the viewer's right side is a kind of fossilized plant locally known as a Spange, the town's namesake. The item on the viewer's left is half of a wheel. Wheels are common in German civic heraldry, usually indicating some connection to the Archbishopric of Mainz, whose arms include wheels in honor of St. Willigis. The current colours – red and gold – have been in use since 1621.

Constituent communities

In alphabetical order, these are Bergheim, Bischofferode, Elbersdorf, Herlefeld, Kaltenbach, Landefeld, Metzebach, Mörshausen, Nausis, Pfieffe, Schnellrode, Vockerode-Dinkelberg and Weidelbach.

Partnerships

Spangenberg maintains partnerships with the following places:
was a Nazi prison, housing prisoners of war captured by the Germans in World War II. The prison was in Spangenberg Castle.

Notable Prisoners in Oflag IX-A/X

Notable people