Windhof

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The Windhof is a building complex in Heuchelheim an der Lahn near Gießen in Central Hesse . The term Windhof is also used synonymously for the entire area on which the individual buildings of the Windhof are located. In a checkered history, the Windhof has been used for a wide variety of uses and has served as the location of a global technology group, the Schunk Group , since 1918 .

History of origin

The Windhof was built in 1810 by Eberhard Rinn from Heuchelheim. He had acquired the building in Kirchberg - in the Electorate of Hesse - as a demolition building and rebuilt it in Heuchelheim on the road from Gießen to Gladenbach (Westfälische Straße). He set up an inn there. After the Westphalian street he named his restaurant "Zum Westfälischen Hof". However, this designation did not prevail over a popular term “Windhof”.

History of the building

The Windhof changed hands several times. According to the land register, Johannes Muth acquired the Windhof in 1829, which six years later lost his life there under tragic circumstances in a dispute between students and locals. The Windhof was used as a mess hall by students from the nearby University of Giessen from 1850 onwards .

In 1856 the industrial use of the wind farm began. The entrepreneurs Kuhl and Braubach ran a cigar factory on the premises of the Windhof. This is seen as the beginning of industrialization in Heuchelheim. For decades, the cigar industry was an important branch of industry due to the settlement of further companies in this branch in the region of Giessen and the surrounding area. In 1886 the Gießen canteen owner Christian Duill took over the Windhof. The building of the original Westphalian court was demolished in 1897 and a magnificent property with a high tower was built on the same site. The building complex was built in the style of a castle-like country estate with a large “knight's hall” that offered space for 800 guests. The entrance area was designed with a large, ornate, arched gate. It stands to reason that the builder wanted to create a counterpart to the two surrounding castles, Gleiberg and Vetzberg , or that the existing castles at least inspired the builder to use this construction method. This is supported by the advert shown from 1899.

A stop on the Biebertalbahn also ensured that guests from Gießen and the surrounding area could comfortably get to the Windhof from August 19, 1898. Students frequented here as well as officers from the nearby Giessen garrison. The music corps of Infantry Regiment No. 116 gave concerts here on some Sunday afternoons.

In 1912 the Windhof burned down in this opulent architecture. The building was reconstructed from the insurance proceeds, but not in exactly the same form. The tower was not rebuilt at the same height and was structurally changed.

At the beginning of the First World War in 1914, the Windhof initially served as an internment camp for Russian bathers from Bad Nauheim; later it was converted into a hospital for war wounded. In 1917 the hospital was relocated to Gießen and the Görtz'sche brewery from Schlitz acquired the property.

In 1918, the Windhof was sold to the company Schunk & Ebe , which had been based in Fulda up to that point, and which set up a factory for the manufacture of carbon brushes for dynamos and electric motors in the existing large premises before the end of the war . The company Schunk & Ebe experienced a steady upswing in the following years and, due to the growing volume of orders, had to permanently expand its manufacturing facilities. Numerous new buildings were built on the Windhof area to expand production.

In mid-March 1957, the construction of a new administration building began, which now had to give way to the historic Windhof. After the tower house of the old wind farm had fallen, the construction of a new tower was started immediately. The entire administrative ensemble was built within 14 months.

The expansive development of the Schunk am Windhof company continues. Today the Schunk Group is an internationally operating technology group with 60 operating companies in 28 countries and over 8,200 employees worldwide, but which has kept its corporate headquarters at the old wind farm. In connection with the meeting place of the historic Windhof, the Schunk Group has established the cultural event "Dialog am Windhof" for several years, which appeals to an interested audience with challenging topics.

At the beginning of 2006, the construction of a new reception and conference building began, which was officially opened on January 17, 2007. When designing the exterior of this ultra-modern building complex, emphasis was placed on incorporating elements of the existing tower. In the continuity of the eventful history, this area, the Windhof, has been given a new face again and again.

Web links

Literature / sources

  • Konrad Reidt: History of a village in the Lahnbogen. Heuchelheim near Giessen. Heuchelheim community and Kulturring Heuchelheim eV
  • Ekkehard Komp (Ed.): Greetings from Lotz. The old casting. Lollar 1979

Coordinates: 50 ° 35 '23.9 "  N , 8 ° 38' 2.6"  E