Rimbach, Hesse

Rimbach (Odenwald)
Coat of arms of Rimbach (Odenwald) Coat of arms
Rimbach (Odenwald)
Location of Rimbach (Odenwald) within Bergstraße district
Coordinates:
Country	Germany
State	Hesse
Admin. region	Darmstadt
District	Bergstraße
Government
• Mayor	Holger Schmitt ((PuB))
Area
• Total	23.16 km2 (8.94 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)
• Total	8,450
• Density	360/km2 (940/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	64666–64668
Dialling codes	06253
Vehicle registration	HP
Website	www.rimbach-odw.de

Rimbach in the Odenwald is a community in the Bergstraße district in southern Hesse, Germany.

Geography

Location

The community lies in the Odenwald some 30 km north of Heidelberg and about 35 km northeast of Mannheim. It is found on Bundesstraße 38, and through it flows the Weschnitz.

Neighbouring communities

Rimbach borders in the north on the community of Fürth, in the east on the community of Grasellenbach, in the southeast on the community of Wald-Michelbach, in the south on the community of Mörlenbach and in the west on the town of Heppenheim.

Constituent communities

Rimbach’s Ortsteile are Albersbach, Lauten-Weschnitz, Mitlechtern, Münschbach, Unter-Mengelbach and Zotzenbach.

Climate

Owing to its location in Bergstraße district, a mild climate prevails in Rimbach, which often leads to what in Germany is a very early blossoming of the almond trees.

History

In 795, Rimbach had its first documentary mention, and in 1995 it celebrated its 1,200-year jubilee.

Politics

Community council

The municipal election in 2011 yielded the following results:

Parties and voter communities	% 2011	Seats 2011	% 2006	Seats 2006	% 2001	Seats 2001
SPD	42,6	11	52,1	16	46,3	14
CDU	25,5	6	23,2	7	25,2	8
GRÜNE	13,8	4	5,4	2	5,0	2
Freie Wählergemeinschaft	13,8	3	9,0	3	9,9	3
FDP	4,4	1	5,8	2	6,1	2
Unabhängige Bürger Liste	–	–	4,5	1	7,6	2
total		100,0	25	100,0	31	100,0	31
Voter turnout in %	52,7		64,2		57,6

Mayor

Mayor Holger Schmitt (PuB) was elected in 2012 with 69.1% of the vote.

Town partnerships

• Colwich-Haywood, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom since 1983
• Thourotte, Oise, France since 1983

Economy and infrastructure

Transport

Rimbach lies on the Weschnitztalbahn (railway) from Weinheim to Fürth in the Odenwald.

Moreover, Bundesstraße 38 runs through Rimbach. The Saukopftunnel, dedicated in 1999, made it possible to detour around Birkenau on Bundesstraße 38a, improving Rimbach’s road link with Weinheim and the Autobahn network. A new bottleneck, however, has cropped up at Mörlenbach, whose bypass is being planned.

Education

File:MLS Rimbach.jpg

Martin-Luther-Schule (Gymnasium)

• 5 kindergartens
• 1 daycare centre
• 3 primary schools
• 1 Hauptschule and Realschule (RBS)
• 1 Gymnasium (Martin-Luther-Schule)

Culture and sightseeing

Theatre

• K.U.S.S. - Martin-Luther-Schule students’ theatre
• Jugendbühne - Martin-Luther-Schule students’ theatre
• Center Stage - English Theater - Martin-Luther-Schule students’ theatre
• Grünes Theater - KSG Mitlechtern

Regular events

• Rimbescher Kerwe (church consecration festival)
• Rimbacher Pfingstmarkt (Whitsun market)
• Rimbacher Herbst (Autumn)
• Rimbacher Frühling (Spring)
• Schwarzwurzelfastnacht in Rimbach (“Black Sausage Carnival”)
• Nikolausparty in Rimbach

Youth groups

• Katholische Junge Gemeinde (KJG) St. Elisabeth Rimbach (a tent camp every year)
• Christliche Pfadfinderschaft im CPD (Scouting)
• Jugendfeuerwehr (youth fire brigade)
• Jugendrotkreuz (Red Cross)

External links

• Rimbach at DMOZ (German)