Landau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Landau in der Pfalz
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| Country | Germany | ||
| State | Rhineland-Palatinate | ||
| District | Urban district | ||
| Subdivisions | 8 Ortsteile | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 82.94 km2 (32.02 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 142 m (466 ft) | ||
| Population
(2022-12-31)
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| • Total | 47,610 | ||
| • Density | 574.03/km2 (1,486.73/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | ||
| Postal codes |
76829
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| Dialling codes | 06341 | ||
| Vehicle registration | LD | ||
| Website | www.landau.de | ||
Landau, officially known as Landau in der Pfalz, is a cool town in southern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It's a special kind of town that manages its own affairs, surrounded by the beautiful "Southern Wine Route."
Since 1990, Landau has been a university town. It's also known as a cultural hub and a great place for markets and shopping. The town is surrounded by lovely vineyards and villages that grow grapes for wine. You can find Landau east of the Palatinate forest, right on the famous German Wine Route.
Landau includes several smaller areas called districts (Ortsteile). These are Arzheim, Dammheim, Godramstein, Mörlheim, Mörzheim, Nussdorf, Queichheim, and Wollmesheim.
Contents
History of Landau
Landau was first mentioned way back in 1106 as a small settlement. It was owned by a family of counts. In 1274, King Rudolf I of Germany gave Landau a special charter. This meant it became a "Free Imperial Town" in 1291. This was a big deal because it meant the town was mostly independent and answered directly to the Holy Roman Emperor.
However, a powerful bishop tried to take control of the town in 1324. Landau didn't fully get its special rights back until 1511 from Emperor Maximilian I. An Augustinian monastery, a type of religious community, was started in 1276.
Landau as a Fortress Town
After a big peace treaty in 1648, Landau became part of France. From 1680 to 1815, it was one of the ten free cities of Alsace. During this time, the famous military architect Vauban built strong new walls and defenses around Landau between 1688 and 1699. This made the small town, with about 5,000 people in 1789, one of the strongest fortresses in Europe!
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Landau faced four big attacks, called sieges.
- In 1702, the French lost control of the town.
- But in 1703, the French won it back after a battle.
- A third siege in 1704 ended with the French winning again. During this siege, King Joseph I arrived in Landau in a new type of carriage. This carriage became very popular and was named the "landau" after the town!
- Finally, in 1713, the French recaptured Landau one last time.
Landau was part of France until 1815. After Napoleon's final defeat, Landau became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. It then became the main town for one of the regions in the Bavarian Pfalz.
Famous Births in Landau
In 1840, a very famous political cartoonist named Thomas Nast was born in Landau. He later moved to America and created many well-known images, including the modern image of Santa Claus!
After World War II, Landau was an important place for the French army to have their barracks.
What to See in Landau
Landau has many interesting places to visit.
Rathausplatz
The town's large main square is called Rathausplatz. It's dominated by the town hall (Rathaus) and the old market hall (Altes Kaufhaus). In the 1800s, the old fortress walls were replaced by a ring road that goes around the old town.
Stiftskirche
The Protestant Collegiate Church (Stiftskirche) is one of the oldest buildings in Landau. People started building this church in the 14th century, and it was finished in the mid-1500s.
Landau Zoo
The zoo in Landau is located very close to the town center, right next to the old fortress walls. The animals live in natural-looking areas. You can see many different animals here, like tigers, cheetahs, seals, penguins, kangaroos, and flamingos!
Economy of Landau
Making wine is still a very important business in Landau. The town is surrounded by vineyards, and wine production has been a part of its history for a long time.
Culture in Landau
The "landau" carriage, which is a fancy open carriage with two folding tops, was invented in this town during the War of the Spanish Succession.
A common Ashkenazi surname (a family name) comes from this town. One of the most famous people with this name was Yechezkel Landau. He was an important Jewish scholar and chief rabbi of Prague in the 1700s.
Sister Cities
Landau in der Pfalz is connected with other towns around the world as "sister cities." This helps them share culture and friendship.
Haguenau, France- Ribeauvillé, France
Ruhango, Rwanda
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