Hanau

Hanau is a town in Hesse, Germany with 91,000 inhabitants. It is located 10 km west of Frankfurt-am-Main.

History

Hanau was first mentioned in 1143 and became a city in 1303.

Related Topics:
1143 - 1303

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At the end of the 16th century Count Philipp Ludwig II allowed Protestant refugees from the Netherlands to found their own settlement near Hanau, to which these Walloons brought their knowledge of jewellery production. For this reason goldsmiths are still educated there. In the 19th century the Neustadt (New Town), as it was called, was merged with Hanau.

Related Topics:
16th century - Protestant - Netherlands - Walloon - 19th century

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In the 19th century Hanau was a centre of the German democratic movement and contributed significantly both in 1830 and in the Revolution of 1848. Also in 1848 the German Gymnastic League (Turnerbund) was founded here.

Related Topics:
19th century - 1830 - Revolution of 1848 - 1848

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During World War II Hanau was almost completely destroyed by British airstrikes, because of its logistical importance.

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Nowadays many inhabitants work in in the technological industry (VAC, Heraeus) or commute to Frankfurt. The Frankfurt international airport is only 30km away.

Related Topics:
VAC - Heraeus - Frankfurt international airport

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