Ostdorf

Ostdorf
Stadtteil of Balingen

The Ostdorf Town Center

Coat of arms
Ostdorf
Coordinates: 48°18′N 08°51′E / 48.300°N 8.850°E / 48.300; 8.850Coordinates: 48°18′N 08°51′E / 48.300°N 8.850°E / 48.300; 8.850
Country Germany
State Baden-Württemberg
Admin. region Tübingen
District Zollernalbkreis
Town Balingen
Area
 • Total 6.55 km2 (2.53 sq mi)
Population ({{{Stand}}})
 • Total 1,599
 • Density 240/km2 (630/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 72336
Dialling codes 07433
Website www.balingen.de
Typical country side found around Ostdorf, Germany.

Ostdorf is a Swabian village within the city limits of Balingen, Germany. Originally a village of its own, Ostdorf and Balingen have grown towards each other since the close of World War II. Finally, in 1971 Ostdorf was included to Balingen as a suburb. It is located 75 kilometers in the south of Stuttgart.

Geography

Location

Ostdorf lies in the west of Balingen, near the Black Forest, on a plateau above the Eyach River, a tributary of the Neckar river.

The nearest high point is the Warren, 606 meters above sea level. Ostdorf affords spectacular views of the Burg Hohenzollern castle, and the Swabian Alb mountains to the east. The surrounding area is covered with coniferous forest.

Neighbors

Nearby cities and villages include: Owingen (District of Haigerloch), Engstlatt, Balingen, Geislingen.

History

The first settlement in the area was probably around the 7th or 8th Century. The first official mention of Ostdorf was in the 11th century when Albert von Ostdorf sold a fief of the area to the Salem Abbey. By 1287 Ostdorf belonged to the Duke of Teck.

After several pledges, in 1317 the village finally became the property of Eberhard I, Count of Württemberg. This is the oldest known connection of Ostdorf with the Württemberg kingdom. During the late Middle Ages, Ostdorf was already known for its rural prosperity, and had been known as a farming community. Not until 1949 did it gradually begin to attract industries. In 1971 it was included into the city limits of Balingen. Ostdorf remains, to this day, mostly a farming community.

Origin of Town Name

A common misconception is that the name Ostdorf means the East-Village (in German Osten-Dorf) and that the village is east of Balingen. The town is actually north-west of Balingen, and the name means "Aust Village."

Religion

The Ostdorf Evangelische Church (Lutheran). Built in 1832.

Since the time of the Protestant Reformation, Ostdorf has remained predominantly Protestant Lutheran, and since 1547 has reported to the Dekanat Balingen (Office of the Dean, Balingen). The patron saint of Ostdorf is St. Medardus, a frequently honored saint within farming communities.

The Ostdorf Church

The Evangelische Lutheran Church that currently stands in Ostdorf was built in 1832, and was part of a major repair and expansion project to improve the church structures that were originally built in the 16th century. In 1843 the octoganal bell tower was built, and the copper roof added in 1861. The church has a congregations of 1,800 members and services the Ostdorf and Geislingen communities.

It was not until after 1945, due to the influx of displaced Germans after World War II, that the community again began registering Catholics in the city.

Population

Year Inhabitants
1525 500
1592 438
1794 809
1820 975
1875 992
1900 945
1959 1098
1992 1516
2005 1599

Public Institutions

Annual events

Notable Personalities

Literature

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