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ReutlingenReutlingen is said to be the gateway to the Swabian Alb and it used to be considered the town of the millionaires. For some reason people no longer talk about the latter point but the former is as valid as it ever was. Since the latest national census Reutlingen counts as a city. The town of Reutlingen (376 m above sea level) with its more than 100,000 inhabitants lies in the Echaz Valley between the Achalm (707 m above sea level) and the Georgenberg (602 m above sea level). This former free city of the Holy Roman Empire can look back on an eventful history. Numerous finds show that there was a settlement here in prehistoric times. The Alemannian settled here at a very early date. The village of Reutlingen was first mentioned in 1090 and around 1180 it was given the right to hold markets by Friedrich Barbarossa. This was confirmed in 1209. The actual founding of the town took place in the time before 1240 when, following King Heinrich's revolt his ally Heinrich of Neuffen was forced to cede his Achalm castle. The new town was built in the south-eastern part of the village, at the point where the roads from the central Rhine to Lake Constance and from Strasbourg to Ulm crossed. Reutlingen's fate is closely linked with the Imperial castle Achalm whose Vogt always appointed the mayors. This privilege survived the trends of the times (from 1335 to 1500 with short interruptions) although it was pawned to Württemberg together with the Achalm. Reutlingen had to stand its first test in 1247 when it managed to survive a siege by followers of the rival king Heinrich Raspe. In thanks for its survival the oath to build the Marienkirche (Church of Our Lady) was taken. In the war of the towns the citizens of Reutlingen defeated Count Ulrich, the son of Eberhard dem Greiner, in 1377. In 1519 Duke Ulrich captured the town for reasons which remain something of a mystery. This actions sparked off the war of the Swabian League which ended with his being driven out. In 1802 Reutlingen lost its status as a free imperial town and became an Oberamtsstadt (county town. The important role which Reutlingen played can also be seen in its early approval of the Reformation. It was here that Matthäus Alber (who was born in the town) caused the citizens to revolt and in 1524 forced the council to take the famous market oath with the phrase that they "wanted to stay with the word of God". After Albers's interrogation before the imperial regiment in Esslingen, Reutlingen became the first Protestant town in Swabia in 1525. The town signed the Speyer Protest in 1529 and the Augsburg Confession in 1530. After taking part in the Schmalkaldic League it had to accept the constitution enacted by Emperor Karl in 1552. However, a privilege granted by Maximilian II restored the old democracy. The people of Reutlingen were far more successful as far as the economy was concerned and they still are today. It began with the production and processing of leather as early as the 13th century. There followed weavers, dyers, cloth makers and today the most significant markets are electronics firms and the machine-building industry. Reutlingen has always placed great importance on economic development. This constant looking to the future is complemented by the Institute of Higher Education for Technology and Economy, the Export Academy (as a compensation from the state for the closing of the Teacher Training College), the world famous Technical School for the Textile Industry and the West German School for Tanners. If you are talking about Reutlingen you must mention the national economist and pioneer of the railway Friedrich List, whose 200th birthday was celebrated in 1989 at considerable cost. The town achieved its economic upswing not least thanks to his theories. Even the foundation of the "Bruderhaus" (brethren house) by Gustav Werner in 1840 is at the same time part of the industrial development of the town. Reutlingen's cosmopolitan flair can be seen by its twin towns. Apart from France and England the town fathers also have close connections with Bouake on the Ivory Coast. Of course the town of Reutlingen also places great importance on culture. In fact it has been trying for may years to repair architectural damage of former years by laying quite a different emphasis. Particular attention has been given to the Church of our Lady which was built between 1247 and 1343 (the 73 m high tower with its rosette was built in 1494). In 1989 after extensive restoration work it was again opened to the public. The List Monument near the station is worth seeing, as are the market square with the Spital, the Tübinger Gate and the Garden Gate and Gminderdorf in the west of the town which was built between 1903 and 1914 by the factory owner of the same name for his workers and which has now been extensively renovated. It is now under a preservation order. The Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra is an important part of the cultural life of the town as are the "Theater in der Tonne" and the galleries which are famous far beyond the town boundaries. Another famous man born here whose name is closely linked with the Achalm is HAP Grieshaber, the wood engraver. His "Sturmbock", a series of wood engravings, is today on view in the town hall. He left them to the town. The "Mutschel Day" at the beginning of January is part of the town's tradition. Dice are thrown for the Mutschel (a kind of star shaped biscuit) in the pubs according to strict rules. We must not forget the Reutlingen Dialect Days which have been held for then years now. Of course Reutlingen is also an ideal starting point for numerous hikes: up the Achalm which is said to be the White Jura witness mountain with the most magnificent views, up the Georgenberg to the south, into the Breitenbach Valley to the south-west, to the Rossberg which rises up to the south or to the Göninnger Lakes which are also often know as the Plitwitzer Lakes of the Swabian Alb because of their formation in old tufa quarries
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