Langenfeld history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Langenfeld is rooted in the early Middle Ages, although it formed as a unified city through the amalgamation of several ancient settlements. The districts of Richrath and Reusrath are considered the oldest parts of the city, with references appearing in church chronicles as early as the 10th–11th centuries. The name "Langevelt" (which translates as "Long Field") was first recorded in documents in 1396, designating the territory stretching along important communication routes.

Key Factors of Formation

• Strategic Geography: Its location exactly halfway between two influential centres — Cologne and Düsseldorf — predetermined the city's destiny as a vital transit hub.
• Postal Station: A turning point in history was the establishment of a postal station by the famous Thurn und Taxis dynasty. Langenfeld became an indispensable point for changing horses and for couriers to rest, a fact reflected even in the modern coat of arms of the city, which features a postal horn.
• Trade Routes: The ancient trade route "Mauspfad" passed through the city's territory, ensuring a constant flow of merchants and travellers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period, Langenfeld's economy relied on agriculture, facilitated by the fertile soils of the Rhineland. For a long time, the Romanesque Church of St. Martin in Richrath served as the spiritual and cultural centre. However, it was the status of a postal hub that transformed the lifestyle of the local residents: coaching inns, smithies, saddlery workshops, and trade oriented towards servicing passing carriages and travellers developed actively here.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Langenfeld is a journey from scattered rural settlements and a postal station to a thriving modern city. Below are the key dates that defined its development.

• 10th Century — Construction of the St. Martin Church tower in the Richrath district, considered the oldest surviving structure within the city limits.
• 1396 — First documentary mention of the name "Langevelt" in official account books.
• 1668 — Opening of the first Thurn und Taxis postal station, making the settlement an important node on the route between Cologne and Düsseldorf.
• 1774 — Emperor Joseph II approves a new route for mail coaches, cementing Langenfeld's status as a key stop.
• 1845 — Connection to the railway network thanks to the opening of a station on the Cologne-Minden line.
• 1910 — Beginning of active industrialisation and the construction of significant industrial facilities.
• 1948 — Langenfeld officially receives city status (Stadtrechte).
• 1975 — During administrative reform, new territories are annexed to the city, forming its modern boundaries.
• 1985 — Opening of the "Schauplatz" cultural centre, which became the main stage for city events.
• 2000 — Completion and opening of the Stadtgalerie shopping arcade, transforming the city centre.
• 2008 — Langenfeld officially announces the full repayment of municipal debts, becoming a rare example of a debt-free budget in the region.
• 2011 — Opening of the new Sass am Markt cultural and community centre.

Key Stages of City Development

The development of Langenfeld is a story of transformation from a transit rural settlement to a modern economic hub. Below are the main milestones that defined the city's current appearance and status.

• Era of Postal Service (17th–18th Centuries)
  The establishment of the Thurn und Taxis station turned Langenfeld into an important logistics hub. This spurred the development of the service sector: coaching inns, smithies, and shops opened, laying the foundation for the future commercial activity of a city living off transit.
• Industrialisation and Railway Connection (from 1845)
  Connecting to the Cologne-Minden railway line became a catalyst for industrial growth. Textile factories, metalworking enterprises, and brickworks began to open in the city, attracting a workforce and changing the agrarian lifestyle to an industrial one.
• Acquisition of City Status (1948)
  Officially receiving city rights became a symbol of recovery and growth after the Second World War. This period was marked by active housing construction to accommodate the growing population and the formation of new administrative structures.
• Administrative Consolidation (1975)
  During the municipal reform of North Rhine-Westphalia, the modern boundaries of Langenfeld were finally formed. The unification of districts allowed for centralised management and more effective infrastructure planning.
• Urban Planning Reform of the Centre (2000s)
  For a long time, Langenfeld lacked a distinct centre — the city was stretched along the main road. The construction of the Marktkarree and Stadtgalerie shopping complexes, as well as the reconstruction of the market square, created the "heart" of the city, providing residents with modern public space and leisure venues.
• Achievement of Financial Independence (2008)
  Langenfeld became known throughout Germany as the "debt-free city". Thanks to strict budget discipline and attracting business with low tax rates, the municipality fully paid off its debts. This allowed for lower taxes for residents and investment in social and cultural projects.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Langenfeld does not possess a unified historic "Old Town" in the classical sense, as it developed for a long time as a conglomerate of separate villages along a trade route. The city's architecture is a mosaic where medieval monuments, traditional regional timber-framed buildings, and bold modern solutions designed to unify the urban space coexist.

Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

The oldest buildings in the city relate to sacred and fortification architecture, reflecting the influence of the Romanesque style and local defensive traditions.

• Romanesque Style (10th–12th Centuries): A striking example is the church tower of St. Martin in the Richrath district. This is the city's oldest structure, preserving massive walls and characteristic arched windows typical of the early Middle Ages.
• Fortress Architecture and Baroque (17th Century): The moated castle Haus Graven is the architectural dominant of the historical heritage. Although its roots go back to the 13th century, the castle acquired its modern U-shaped appearance after reconstruction in 1656. It is a classic example of a "moated castle" (Wasserburg), characteristic of the Rhineland lowlands, with elements of restrained Baroque.

Regional Style and Industrialisation

With the development of industry and population growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the appearance of Langenfeld began to change. Rural houses were replaced by brick buildings and complexes of the Wilhelminian era.

• Bergisch Style: In historical districts (Richrath, Reusrath), examples of traditional timber-framed houses have been preserved, often clad in slate and decorated with green shutters, which is typical for the Bergisches Land region.
• Historicism and Brick Architecture (Late 19th – Early 20th Century): The LVR-Klinik complex, built around 1900, represents an ensemble in the pavilion style. Red brick buildings with elements of Neo-Gothic and Historicism reflect the city's transition to the industrial era and large-scale public construction.

Modernism and Contemporary Times

The second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century were decisive for the formation of a unified city centre, which Langenfeld historically lacked.

• Post-War Modernism: The Catholic Church of St. Josef is an example of modern sacred architecture using concrete and strict geometric forms, characteristic of Germany's post-war reconstruction.
• Postmodernism and the "New Centre" (2000s): The main urban planning achievement was the creation of an artificial city centre. The Stadtgalerie and Marktkarree shopping arcades are executed in a modern style using glass, steel, and light stone. These buildings not only perform a commercial function but also form an architectural ensemble around the market square, turning a former transit street into a cosy pedestrian zone.

Distinguished Figures of Langenfeld

The destinies of many people are linked with Langenfeld, from historical figures who developed the postal service to modern sports and media stars. Below are persons who left a noticeable mark on the history of the city or brought it fame on the international stage.

• The Maubach Family (17th–19th Centuries)
  Dynasty of Postmasters
  Representatives of this family managed the famous Thurn und Taxis postal station in Langenfeld for several generations. It was thanks to their activities that the city secured its status as a critical transport hub between Cologne and Düsseldorf, which predetermined its economic development for centuries to come.
• Felix Metzmacher (1877–1914)
  Mayor and Reformer
  He served as mayor in the early 20th century and is considered one of the founding fathers of the city's modern infrastructure. Under his leadership, a centralised water supply system was created, and electrification began. His contribution to the city's development is so significant that one of the local schools is named in his honour.
• Friedhelm Funkel (born 1953)
  Football Coach and Player
  A famous German footballer and coach, holding the record for the number of promotions to the Bundesliga with different clubs. He is a long-time resident of Langenfeld and actively participates in the social life of the region, supporting local sports initiatives.
• Christoph Kramer (born 1991)
  Footballer, World Cup Champion
  A midfielder who became a World Cup champion with the German national team in 2014. Although born in neighbouring Solingen, his youth is closely tied to Langenfeld: he graduated from the Konrad Adenauer Gymnasium here, and local residents consider him "their" champion.
• Cora Schumacher (born 1976)
  Model, Racing Driver, and TV Presenter
  A native of Langenfeld who gained wide fame in the German media space. In addition to her career in modelling and television, she participated professionally in motor racing, continuing the automotive traditions of the region.
• Herbert Reul (born 1952)
  Politician and Statesman
  Minister of the Interior of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. He worked as a teacher in Langenfeld for a long time and began his political career here. He is one of the most influential political figures in the region residing in the city.