Feldatal

Feldatal (German pronunciation: [ˈfɛldataːl], lit. 'Felda Valley') is a municipality in the Vogelsbergkreis in Hesse, Germany.

Feldatal
Municipality
Coat of arms
Location of Feldatal within Vogelsbergkreis district
Location of Feldatal
Feldatal Show map of Germany Feldatal Show map of Hesse
Coordinates: 50°39′N 09°10′E
Country	Germany
State	Hesse
Admin. region	Gießen
District	Vogelsbergkreis
Subdivisions	7 Ortsteile
Government
• Mayor (2023–29)	Leopold Bach[1]
Area
• Total	55.69 km2 (21.50 sq mi)
Elevation	385 m (1,263 ft)
Population  (2023-12-31)[2]
• Total	2,398
• Density	43.06/km2 (111.5/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes	36325
Dialling codes	06637
Vehicle registration	VB
Website	www.feldatal.de

Geography

Location

The municipality lies 285 to 598 m above sea level on the north slope of the Vogelsberg mountains. Through the municipality flows the river Felda, which empties into the Ohm at Gemünden.

Neighbouring municipalities

Feldatal borders in the north on the town of Romrod, in the northeast on the municipality of Schwalmtal, in the east on the municipality of Lautertal, in the south on the town of Ulrichstein, in the southwest on the municipality of Mücke, and in the northwest on the municipality of Gemünden.

Constituent municipalities

The municipality consists of the centres of Ermenrod, Groß-Felda with constituent municipality of Schellnhausen, Kestrich, Köddingen, Stumpertenrod, Windhausen and Zeilbach.

History

Amalgamations

Feldatal came into being as a result of the municipal reforms in 1972 when the aforesaid constituent municipalities were united into a greater municipality.

Politics

The municipal council is made up of 15 members. As of the municipal elections held on 26 March 2006, 4 seats are held by the SPD, 4 by the CDU, 6 by the FWG, a citizens' coalition, and one by the A.L.F.

The municipal executive is made up of 7 members and the mayor. Two seats are held by the SPD, 2 by the CDU, 2 by the FWG, and one by the A.L.F.

The current mayor, Leopold Bach, was elected in 2018.

Coat of arms

Feldatal's civic coat of arms might heraldically be described thus: Or a virgin-headed spreadeagle gules crowned azure, therein an inescutcheon argent a hammer and four nails azure.

The inescutcheon (smaller inner shield, called a Herzschild or "heartshield" in German heraldry) refers to the dominant handicraft in the municipality, namely nailsmithing. This trade was practised even into the early 20th century. The virgin-headed spreadeagle (Jungfrauenadler) has its roots in Feldatal's mediaeval noble family's arms.

Culture and sightseeing

Buildings

• Hesse's biggest timber-framed church, built in 1696 (in Stumpertenrod)
• Zeilbach Church, built in 1668 – shake roof
• Kestrich Church, half-timbered, and right next door the former synagogue and Jewish school (in Kestrich)
• Jewish cemetery (in Kestrich)
• Still working mills, for instance Wolfenmühle in Groß-Felda, Burgsmühle in Zeilbach and Herrenmühle in Ermenrod.

Regular events

• Feldataler Mühlenfest ("mill festival")- Stumpertenrod
• Ostermarkt (Easter Market)- Gross Felda
• Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)
• Goldwing Meeting in Groß-Felda (every two years)
• Schmiedefest (Blacksmith festival)

Economy and infrastructure

Transport

Through the municipality runs the Federal Highway (Bundesstraße) B 49.