Oberwiesen is a municipality in the Donnersbergkreis district, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is one of the smallest municipalities in the country by area.
Oberwiesen | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Oberwiesen
within Donnersbergkreis district
| |
 Location of Oberwiesen | |
  Oberwiesen  Oberwiesen | |
| Coordinates: 49°41′54.39″N 7°57′38.55″E / 49.6984417°N 7.9607083°E | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Rhineland-Palatinate |
| District | Donnersbergkreis |
| Municipal assoc. | Kirchheimbolanden |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2019–24) | Heike Renz[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.61 km2 (0.62 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Population (2024-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 566 |
| • Density | 352/km2 (911/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 67294 |
| Dialling codes | 06358 |
| Vehicle registration | KIB |
Geography
editOberwiesen is situated in the North Palatine Uplands, about 8 km (5 mi) north of its highest peak, the Donnersberg. It borders Kriegsfeld, Offenheim, Orbis and Kirchheimbolanden.
The Wiesbach stream flows through the village.
History
editIt is said that the area was settled around the year 1200 arranged by noblemen from nearby Morschheim. They were vassals of the Counts of Bolanden. Who ruled the village until it was given to the imperial counts of Nassau-Weilburg due to financial troubles.
Other sources state that the location of modern day Oberwiesen was settled later then other areas. The origins of the village are unknown, it is suspected that a place named Wisha, mentioned as part of the Dominion of Stauf corresponds to Oberwiesen. It was part of the Dominion in the 14th century but given away as fief.
In the following centuries multiple rulers had control over Oberwiesen.
After the War of the First Coalition Oberwiesen was occupied and later annexed by France with the Treaty of Campo Formio in 1797. From 1798 to 1814 it belonged to the French Departement du Mont-Tonnerre. After the Congress of Vienna the region was first given to Austria (1815) and later to Bavaria (1816).
After World War II Oberwiesen became part of Rhineland-Palatinate (1946). Since 1969 it belongs to the Donnersbergkreis district.
Politics
editCouncil
editThe village council is composed of 12 members who were elected in a personalized proportional representation in the local elections on June 9, 2024, and the honorary mayor as chairman.[3]
Heraldry
editThe coat of arms was bestowed to the municipality in 1844 by Ludwig I of Bavaria and traces its roots to a seal from 1779.
Religion
editThe catholics belong to the Diocese of Speyer and are administered by the parish in Kirchheimbolanden. The protestants are part of Morschheim‘s congregation in the Evangelical Church of the Palatinate.
Culture and sights
edit
Infrastructure
editThe nearest highway exit is along A63 near Kirchheimbolanden (9 km). The nearest train station is also located there.
Bus line 902 of the VRN (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar) connects Oberwiesen to Kirchheimbolanden and Gaugrehweiler.
References
edit- ↑ Direktwahlen 2019, Donnersbergkreis, Landeswahlleiter Rheinland-Pfalz, accessed 9 August 2021.
- ↑ "Bevölkerungsstand von Land, Landkreisen, Gemeinden und Verbandsgemeinden 2024 (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2022)" (in German). Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland-Pfalz.
- ↑ Der Landeswahlleiter RLP. "Gemeinderatswahl 2024 Oberwiesen". Retrieved 2024-06-28.