Steinau an der Straße

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Steinau an der Straße is a town in the Main-Kinzig district, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated on the river Kinzig, 32 km southwest of Fulda.

[edit] History

Archealogical evidence indicates that there was a small community in this area in the 700s. The first church being built in the mid to late 800s A.D. In the mid 1200s, the Katharina Church was of sufficient size to incorporate burials within its grounds. on 4 Jul 1290, Emperor Rudolf v. Hapsburg garnted a charter permitting Steinau to hold a weekly market. Some motivation for this may have been Steinau's importance on the Frankfurt-Leipzig Road. It is this document that is recognised as the official foundation document of the community.

Also of note is the fact that the Brothers (Jakub and Wilhelm) Grimm, famous for their collection of fairy tales and forklore, lived in Steinau during their childhood. The family of Phillip Grimm returned to his boyhood home, his father being a minister in Steinau, as the court clerk appointed to the City. The family lived in the Amtshaus from 1791 until 1796 when Phillip died. While Jakub and Wilhelm would move to Hanau to live with their aunt to finish their education, the rest of the family remained in Steinau from 1796-1805 living in a home that still stands today on Brückengasse - "Die Alte Kellerei". It is one of many of the remarkable Fachwerkhausen - half-timbered houses - that can be found through out the town.