Durlach

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Durlach is a borough of the German city of Karlsruhe. Pop. (1905) 6207.

[edit] History

Center with Turmberg

Durlach was bestowed by the emperor Frederick II on the margrave Hermann V of Zahringen as an allodial possession, but afterwards came into the hands of Rudolph of Habsburg.

It was chosen by the margrave Karl II in 1565 as residence of the rulers of Baden-Durlach, and retained this distinction though it was almost totally destroyed by the French in 1688.

Margrave Karl Wilhelm III decided that he needed more space which led to the foundation of Karlsruhe, which in 1715 became the new capital until the state was merged into the grand-duchy of Baden.

In 1846 it was the seat of a congress of the Liberal party of the Baden parliament. In 1849 it was the scene of an encounter between the Prussians and the insurgents.

In 1938 Durlach was incorporated into Karlsruhe, which had grown bigger, with which it is connected by a canal and an avenue of poplars, on the left bank of the Pfinz, at the foot of Thurmberg.

329 people were killed in Durlach during the second world war.

Reichenbach the mechanician, and E. L. Posselt (1763-1804) the historian, were natives of the town.

[edit] Life and heritage

Karlsburg

Important attractions are the Karlsburg castle in the centre, erected in 1565 and later used as barracks, now with some museums an ancient town hall, a church with an excellent organ, and in the market-place a statue of the margrave Charles II.

The Turmberg ('tower hill') is a vineyard-covered hill of the black forest with a castle ruin which is crowned by a watch-tower with a fine view of Karlsruhe towards the West and the River Rhine valley, and on very clear days, even farther west the Vosges in France (the River Rhine being the border between Germany and France (Alsace)). As the Turmberg is the most North tip of the Blackforst, you can, looking Sauth and East see the Blackforst, here rather hills than actual mountains. The Turmberg is climbed by the Turmbergbahn, a historic funicular railway.

It possesses a high-grade school, an orphan asylum. It has manufactures of sewing-machines, brushes, chemicals, tobacco, beer, vinegar and chicory; and considerable trade in market produce.