Hilden history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Hilden traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. The official date of the city's first documentary mention is considered to be 1074. Historical chronicles record that Archbishop Anno II of Cologne gifted the forest settlement and its revenues to the newly founded abbey in Siegburg. At that time, it was a small community that had emerged in a clearing within dense forests.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of Hilden from a small settlement into a significant locality was driven by several reasons:

• Geography: The city is located on the terraces of the Rhine, with the river Itter flowing through its territory. Water resources played a vital role in the economy and later became the driving force for water mills.
• Political Influence: For centuries, Hilden was within the sphere of influence of the Archbishopric of Cologne, and later became part of the Duchy of Berg. This border position defined the administrative structure and defense of the settlement.
• Transport Routes: Proximity to major trading centers, such as Cologne and Düsseldorf, contributed to the gradual involvement of local residents in the regional exchange of goods.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first centuries of its existence, Hilden's economy was exclusively agrarian. Residents engaged in farming and animal husbandry, providing for the needs of feudal lords and monasteries. The center of social and cultural life was the church, around which the core of the settlement formed.

Already in the early period, prerequisites for the city's future specialization began to emerge. Alongside agriculture, home weaving developed. It was the skill of local craftsmen in textile processing that subsequently became the foundation for transforming Hilden into an important industrial center of the region.

Key Dates in the City's History

• 1074 – First documentary mention of the settlement in a charter by Archbishop Anno II of Cologne.
• 1265 – Hilden is mentioned for the first time as an independent church parish.
• 1815 – Following the Congress of Vienna, the territory definitively comes under Prussian administration.
• 1861 – King Wilhelm I of Prussia grants Hilden official city status.
• 1874 – Opening of the railway station, connecting the city with major industrial centers of the region.
• 1899 – Launch of the first tram line connecting Hilden with Düsseldorf and Benrat.
• 1900 – Completion of construction and grand opening of the Town Hall building in the Neo-Gothic style.
• 1945 – Entry of American troops into the city, marking the end of World War II for the region without significant infrastructure damage.
• 1950s – A period of active economic growth and the flourishing of the textile and metallurgical industries.
• 1975 – The city successfully defends its administrative independence during a large-scale reform, avoiding annexation by Düsseldorf.
• 1980s – Creation of a pedestrian zone in the city center, making it more comfortable for residents and tourists.
• 2000s – Transformation of the economy with a reorientation towards the service sector, logistics, and modern technologies.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of Hilden is an example of a city's successful adaptation to global economic shifts. Several key milestones can be highlighted that shaped its modern appearance and way of life:

• The Industrial Breakthrough of the 19th Century. The transition from manual home weaving to mechanized factory production was a turning point. The emergence of large manufactories producing silk and printed fabrics turned the agrarian community into an industrial center, causing rapid population growth and the construction of workers' quarters.
• Acquisition of the City Charter (1861). The granting of city status by the King of Prussia gave Hilden the necessary administrative freedom. This allowed local authorities to independently plan construction, develop utility networks (gas supply, waterworks), and form a budget for social needs.
• Integration into the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Network. The launch of railway services and tram lines in the late 19th century connected the city to major sales markets. This provided logistics for the growing industry and increased the mobility of residents.
• Defending Autonomy (1975). During a massive municipal reform, Hilden faced the threat of being absorbed by neighboring Düsseldorf. The successful struggle to preserve independence allowed the city to save its unique identity and control over local taxes, which became the basis for future improvements.
• Urban Renovation of the Center (1980–1990s). The transformation of the main street, Mittelstraße, into a pedestrian zone was a landmark urban planning decision. This transformed the center from a transit thoroughfare into a cozy space for shopping and leisure, making the city attractive to tourists.
• Structural Transformation of the Economy (21st Century). With the decline of heavy industry and textile production, the city successfully reoriented towards knowledge-intensive sectors. Hilden's emergence as a center for biotechnology and modern logistics ensured economic stability in the post-industrial era.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The architecture of Hilden represents a harmonious blend of the traditional "Bergisch" style, monumental buildings of the industrialization era, and modern urban planning solutions. The city did not freeze in one era but developed in rings around the historical core, preserving evidence of different centuries.

The Middle Ages and Traditional Architecture

The historical heart of the city formed around the old market square. The early period is characterized by the use of local materials and the functionality of buildings.

• Romanesque Style and Gothic: The main witness of the Middle Ages is the Reformation Church (Reformationskirche). Its tower, dating back to the 13th century, is built in the Romanesque style, while the main nave, rebuilt later, bears Gothic features. This is the oldest surviving building in the city.
• Half-Timbered (Bergisch Style): In the Alter Markt (Old Market) area, an ensemble of historical residential houses has been preserved. These are classic examples of half-timbered architecture: a wooden frame, white walls, the use of black slate for facade cladding, and characteristic green shutters. This style, typical for the Bergisches Land region, dominated construction up until the 19th century.

The Gründerzeit Era and Historicism (19th – Early 20th Century)

The Industrial Revolution radically changed the appearance of Hilden. With the growth of factories, the city began to expand, and the wealthy bourgeoisie sought to emphasize their status through majestic architecture.

• Neo-Gothic: The brightest example of this period is the Town Hall (Bürgerhaus), built in 1900 according to the design of architect Walter Furthmann. The building is stylized as medieval Gothic with pointed turrets and decorative facade elements, which was popular in the era of Historicism.
• Sacral Architecture: The Catholic Church of St. Jacob (St.-Jacobus-Kirche), erected in the late 19th century, is also designed in the Neo-Gothic style, creating a visual dialogue with the city's Protestant sanctuary.
• Industrial Architecture: Along the old production zones, brick factory buildings with characteristic arched windows and decorative masonry have been preserved, many of which are today converted into offices and cultural spaces.

Modern Urban Planning

In the second half of the 20th century, the focus shifted to creating a comfortable urban environment. Hilden avoided chaotic high-rise construction, preserving a scale of streets that is proportionate to people.

• Pedestrian Zone: A key urban planning project was the transformation of the central street, Mittelstraße. Turning the transport artery into a pedestrian boulevard allowed for the unification of historical monuments and modern retail areas into a single public space.
• Postmodernism and Functionalism: New residential and administrative buildings appearing on the periphery of the center are distinguished by the conciseness of forms, large glass areas, and an emphasis on eco-friendliness, organically fitting into the green landscape of the city.

Historical Figures and Scientists

• Wilhelm Fabry (1560–1634)
  Role: Surgeon, one of the founders of scientific surgery in Germany.
  Significance: Known as "Fabricius Hildanus," he was born in Hilden and became a leading medic of his time. Fabry invented numerous surgical instruments and introduced advanced treatment methods. A city museum and one of the schools are named in his honor.
• Max Volmer (1885–1965)
  Role: Physical chemist, professor.
  Significance: A native of Hilden who made a fundamental contribution to science (kinetics of electrochemical reactions). A laboratory in Berlin and an institute of biophysical chemistry are named after him. He served as the President of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR.
• Walter Furthmann (1873–1945)
  Role: Architect.
  Significance: The author of the project for the city Town Hall (Bürgerhaus), built in 1900. His work in the Neo-Gothic style remains the architectural dominant of the center and a symbol of Hilden's civic self-governance.

Public Figures and Contemporaries

• Ellen Wiederhold (1921–1995)
  Role: Politician, Mayor of the city (1969–1994).
  Significance: A key figure in the city's modern history. It was she who initiated the creation of the pedestrian zone on Mittelstraße and played a decisive role in preserving Hilden's independence during the administrative reform of 1975.
• Erich Leyens (1898–2001)
  Role: Entrepreneur, philanthropist.
  Significance: A member of a prominent Jewish family that owned a department store in the city center. After persecution by the Nazis, he emigrated but later restored ties with his homeland. He became an honorary citizen for his contribution to historical reconciliation and support for cultural projects.
• Michael Tarnat (born 1969)
  Role: Professional football player.
  Significance: A famous native of Hilden who achieved global success in sports. A multiple champion of Germany with Bayern Munich, a UEFA Champions League winner, and a player for the German national team.