Villingen-Schwenningen: The largest twin city in Germany in focus!

Villingen-Schwenningen: The largest twin city in Germany in focus!

In Baden-Württemberg there are 42 communities with double names, including seven cities. At the top is Villingen-Schwenningen, the largest municipality with a double name in Germany, which was created through the merger of the cities of Villingen and Schwenningen on January 1, 1972. This merger was part of a comprehensive regional reform implemented between 1968 and 1975. The current population is 89,784 (as of November 2024) and shows that the city is still thriving today.

Villingen has long been a cultural and economic center with its impressive half-timbered houses, while Schwenningen has an important history as a watch town. The roots of both places go back to the year 817, when they were first mentioned in a document from Emperor Ludwig I. Villingen has overcome a number of destructions over the centuries and has been repeatedly re-founded. In contrast, Schwenningen experienced a boom in the 19th century thanks to the watch industry.

The merger in detail

The merger is viewed by many citizens as a success story. The merger of the two cities was made possible by a positive vote from the population. This not only leads to a strengthening of the region, but also brings with it challenges. Villingen-Schwenningen has its own coat of arms, combining elements of both cities, and even its own town halls and postal codes for the districts.

An interesting aspect is that the two districts sometimes develop separately economically and maintain different political cultures and mentalities. While Villingen is a planned city with a Roman Catholic background, Schwenningen developed unplanned around its factories and is closely interwoven with the Evangelical Lutheran tradition. These differences are not only cultural, but are also reflected in the everyday lives of citizens.

Double names in Germany

Villingen-Schwenningen is not only the largest, but also the only city in Germany with a double name that plays such an important role. The mergers are actually more common in German cities, as double names usually arise from such mergers. In Baden-Württemberg, however, only 3.8% of the communities have double names, which makes the role of Villingen-Schwenningen all the more remarkable.

By the way, the smallest municipality with a double name in Baden-Württemberg is Häg-Ehrsberg in the Lörrach district with only 825 inhabitants. Also a curious fact: A community in Baden-Württemberg has the longest place name in Germany with 24 characters. The history behind these communities is as varied as the double names themselves.

For Villingen-Schwenningen, it remains to be hoped that the city will continue to grow and preserve its traditional history while at the same time facing modern challenges.

The exciting development of double names in Baden-Württemberg and the rich heritage of both districts make Villingen-Schwenningen a unique place to be discovered. If you would like to find out more about the background and the current situation, we recommend the detailed information at Mercury and Regional studies of Baden-Württemberg.