Lindenfels is a town in the Bergstraße district in Hesse, Germany. Geography Location The climatic spa, also known as the “Pearl of the Odenwald”, lies in the Odenwald in southern Hesse and is nestled in a mountain landscape with a great deal of woodland. Neighbouring communities Lindenfels borders in the south on the communities of Modautal and Fischbachtal (both in Darmstadt-Dieburg), in the northeast on the community of Fränkisch-Crumbach, in the east on the community of Reichelsheim (both in the Odenwaldkreis), in the south on the community of Fürth, and in the west on the community of Lautertal. Constituent communities Lindenfels has outlying centres named Eulsbach, Glattbach, Kolmbach, Schlierbach, Seidenbuch, Winkel and Winterkasten. History In 1123, Lindenfels had its first documentary mention as a holding of the Lorsch Abbey. After that, the town belonged for nearly 600 years to the Electorate of the Palatinate. In 1336, Emperor Ludwig IV granted Lindenfels town and market rights. In 1802, after the Electorate of the Palatinate’s downfall, Lindenfels passed to the Grand Duchy of Hesse and was from 1821 to 1832 seat of the Landratsbezirk of Lindenfels. Later, from 1852 to 1874, it was the seat of the Lindenfels district. After the Second World War ended in May 1945, Lindenfels found itself in the American Zone of Occupation. The US military administration built a displaced persons camp to house displaced Jews. The camp was dissolved in 1948. The designation heilklimatischer Kurort (“climatic spa”) was granted Lindenfels in 1969. Politics Community council The municipal election held on 26 March 2006 yielded the following results: Mayor 2001–2013: Oliver Hoeppner (LWG/CDU) 2013-incumbent: Michael Helbig Town partnerships Moëlan-sur-Mer, Finistère, France since 1968 Pawłowiczki, Opole Voivodeship, Poland since 1998 Regular events Among the most important yearly events held in town are: the traditional Burg- und Trachtenfest (“Castle and Costume Festival”) on the first weekend in August, with fireworks, parade and folk festival at the castle; the Mittelalterliche Spektakulum (“Mediaeval Spectacle”) in May, with knightly games; Brauchtumstage (“Custom Days”) in October, at which old Odenwald customs and arts and crafts are presented. Buildings In the middle of town stand the Lindenfels castle ruins, which today serve as a popular outing destination. There is also a view into the distance over the Weschnitz valley. The Bismarck-Warte – one of many Bismarck memorial towers – is found on the Litzelröder Höhe (heights), 452 m above sea level. It was built in