Schmitten, Germany

Schmitten borders in the north on the community of Weilrod and the town of Usingen, in the east on the towns of Neu-Anspach and Bad Homburg, in the south on the towns of Oberursel and Königstein, and in the west on the communities of Glashütten and Waldems (Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis).

The greater community has nine centres (until municipal reform in 1972, all independent communities) named Arnoldshain, Brombach, Dorfweil, Hunoldstal, Niederreifenberg, Oberreifenberg, Schmitten, Seelenberg and Treisberg.

Saint Lawrence's Church (Laurentiuskirche) at Arnoldshain was first mentioned early in the 13th century in the Rotulus omnium iurium (Directory of all rights). A few expansions to the once eight-sided chapel notwithstanding, the old part is preserved to this day. The Laurentiuskirche is thereby one of the oldest buildings still in use in the Hochtaunus. In a glass window from 1480 one can still clearly see the Reifenberg family's coat of arms.

Politically Arnoldshain belonged to the Lords of Hattstein, but later partly under Reifenberg (Bassenheim) rule.

Dorfweil had its first documentary mention in 772. Lying 410 m above sea level in the Weil Valley, the community has many hiking trails. With an area of 367 ha and 684 inhabitants (as of the end of 2004), Dorfweil is one of Schmitten's smallest constituent communities.

The Taunus's highest mountain attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, especially from the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region.

In Oberreifenberg lifts for skiing and sledding enjoyment are to be found. The main attraction, though, is of course the Taunus's nature and many kilometres of well groomed hiking trails.

Observation tower

The lookout tower on the 663-m-high Pferdskopf ("Horse's Head") near Treisberg affords a fantastic view of the Taunus landscape and is the object of many outings. In the winter, skiers and tobogganers are drawn to the Taunus's most attractive skilifts.

Rising on the Feldberg, the little brook Weil snakes its way through the Hochtaunus Nature Park through to Weilburg. Alongside the Weil runs the Weiltalwanderweg (Weil Valley Hiking Trail). A Weil Valley visit is popular among families and nature lovers, but also for cyclists and motorcyclists.

Besides the yearly Weiltal-Marathon, the traditional "Rund um den Henninger-Turm" bicycle race also runs through the Weil Valley.

The Roman Empire's old border runs above Niederreifenberg and Oberreifenberg across the crest of the Taunus. Within Schmitten's municipal limits lies the Limeskastell Kleiner Feldberg, a Roman fort. The preserved foundation walls offer a glimpse into Roman history.

The castle's keep and tower are preserved and loom over Oberreifenberg and the Weil Valley.

The municipal elections on 26 March 2006 yielded the following results:

• CDU 10 seats (2001: 9 seats)
• SPD 3 seats (2001: 5 seats)
• Greens 3 seats (2001: 3 seats)
• FDP 4 seats (2001: 4 seats)
• UBB 4 seats (2001: 5 seats)
• FWG 7 seats (2001: 5 seats)

Note: FWG is a citizens' coalition.

The community of Schmitten has two primary schools at its disposal.

• Jürgen-Schuhmann-Schule in Arnoldshain
• Grundschule Reifenberg in Niederreifenberg

Furthermore, there exists in Arnoldshain an Evangelical Academy called the "Martin Niemöller" Haus.

• Schmitten (main town) offers Hesse's highest outdoor swimming pool.
• In Niederreifenberg quad bikes may be hired.
• In Oberreifenberg the Taunatours company offers rock climbing.

• In Seelenberg were born in 1868 the oil-drilling pioneer Anton Raky and in 1841 the theologian Anton Abt.
• At the edge of the Hunoldstal (valley) lived the well known German singer Ivan Rebroff.
• The writer Gerhard Zwerenz lived in Arnoldshain.