View source for Hockenheim

{{about|the German town|the motorsport venue nearby|Hockenheimring}}
{{distinguish|Hackenheim}}
{{Infobox German location
|type = Stadt
|image_photo = File:20140117Hockenheim1.jpg
|image_caption =
|image_coa = COA Hockenheim.svg
|coordinates = {{coord|49|19|05|N|08|32|50|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan = Hockenheim in HD.svg
|state = Baden-Württemberg
|region = Karlsruhe
|district = Rhein-Neckar-Kreis
|elevation = 102
|area = 34.84
|postal_code = 68754–68766
|area_code = 06205
|licence = HD
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 08 2 26 032
|Verwaltungsgemeinschaft = with [[Reilingen]], [[Neulußheim]] and [[Altlußheim]]
|website = [http://www.hockenheim.de www.hockenheim.de]
|mayor = Marcus Zeitler<ref>[https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/staatsanzeiger/wahlen/buergermeisterwahlen/ Aktuelle Wahlergebnisse], Staatsanzeiger, accessed 14 September 2021.</ref>
|leader_term       = 2019&ndash;27
|Bürgermeistertitel = Oberbürgermeister
|party = CDU
}}
'''Hockenheim''' ({{IPA|de|ˈhɔkn̩haɪm|lang|De-Hockenheim.ogg}}) is a town in northwest [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Germany]], about 20&nbsp;km south of [[Mannheim]] and 10&nbsp;km west of [[Walldorf]]. It is located in the [[Upper Rhine Plain|Upper Rhine valley]] on the tourist theme routes "Baden [[Asparagus]] Route" ({{lang|de|Badische Spargelstraße}}) and [[Bertha Benz Memorial Route]]. The town is widely known for its [[Hockenheimring]], a motor racing course, which has hosted over 30 [[Formula One]] [[German Grand Prix]] races since 1970.

Hockenheim is one of the six largest towns in the [[Rhein-Neckar-Kreis]] district; since 1999 the number of inhabitants exceeded the 20,000 threshold, thus the town received the status of a regional central town (''[[Große Kreisstadt]]'') in 2001. It is twinned with the French town of [[Commercy]], the German town of [[Hohenstein-Ernstthal]] in [[Saxony]] and the American town of [[Mooresville, North Carolina]].

==Geography==

===Location and environment===
Hockenheim is located in the [[Upper Rhine Plain|Upper Rhine valley]] on an old trade route from [[Frankfurt]] to [[Basel]]. The brook [[Kraichbach]] divides the town in an eastern and a smaller western area, and flows into the [[Rhine]] to the north near [[Ketsch]]. Hockenheim's total [[municipal]] area covers 3,484&nbsp;ha, with ca. 28.8&nbsp;percent used for settlement and transportation and ca. 45.9&nbsp;percent for agriculture. The remaining area consists of ca. 22&nbsp;percent forests and ca. 2.4&nbsp;percent rivers and seas.<ref>{{in lang|de}} [http://www.statistik.baden-wuerttemberg.de/SRDB/Tabelle.asp?H=BevoelkGebiet&U=01&T=01515223&E=GE&K=226&R=GE226032 Flächenerhebung 2011, Hockenheim, Stadt]  {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130217040848/http://www.statistik.baden-wuerttemberg.de/SRDB/Tabelle.asp?H=BevoelkGebiet&U=01&T=01515223&E=GE&K=226&R=GE226032 |date=2013-02-17 }} Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg, data as of 31. December 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2013.</ref>

The municipal area is divided into two large natural regions, the "Rheinaue" to the west and the slightly higher "Niederterrasse" to the east. The so-called "Hockenheimer Rheinbogen" is a [[meander]] area of the Rhine, which stretches over the municipalities of Ketsch, Hockenheim and Altlußheim. 30 parts of it with a total of 656&nbsp;ha are under nature conservation. An additional area three times larger is designated as landscape conservation area, with less strict usage limitations. The "Rheinbogen" offers biologically diverse, secondary wetlands as habitat for endangered plants and animals, it is also an internationally important resting and feeding area for migrating birds in winter.<ref>{{in lang|de}} [http://www.themenpark-umwelt.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/is/27196/?path=4422;6350;6706;&part=27207&partId=12 Hockenheimer Rheinbogen, Pflanzen und Tiere] Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg. Retrieved 3 April 2011.</ref>

===Town structure===
The central urban area forms one unit and is only divided into five districts for statistical purposes. Together with the central town several small settlements belong to Hockenheim: the industrial areas "Bahnstation Talhaus" and "Wasserwerk", the farms and houses "Insultheimerhof", "Herrenteich, Ziegelei" and "Ketschau, Ziegelei" as well as the deserted settlement "Westeheim".

==History==
[[File:Hockenheim-1907.png|thumb|right|Hockenheim and surroundings 1907]]
Stamped bricks of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] [[Legio XIV Gemina|Legio XIV Gemina Martia Victrix]] were found 1984 in a brick kiln during an excavation in Hockenheim. The stationing of this legion near [[Mainz]] from 71AD until 92AD indicates an early settlement in this area.<ref>{{in lang|de}} Ulrich Brandl und Emmi Federhofer: ''Ton + Technik. Römische Ziegel.'' Theiss, Stuttgart 2010, {{ISBN|978-3-8062-2403-0}} (''Schriften des Limesmuseums Aalen.'' Nr. 61)</ref> Hockenheim was first mentioned 769 as "Ochinheim" in a donation document of the [[Lorsch codex|Lorsch Codex]], an early monastery gift documentation. The name "Hockenheim" itself appeared first in 1238 in official documents. In the [[Middle Ages]] Hockenheim was owned by several alternating local authorities: the castle district Wersau, the [[Diocese of Speyer]] during the 12th and 13th century, various [[County Palatine of the Rhine|Palatinate]] ("Pfalz") rulers since 1286 and the [[Electoral Palatinate]] ("Kurpfalz") since 1462.

In the 17th century Hockenheim was severely devastated twice by French troops, 1644 in the [[Thirty Years' War]] and 1674 in the [[Franco-Dutch War]]. During this period the former cultivation of [[hops]] in the area was partly replaced with [[tobacco]], brought into the country by the French. 1803 the Electoral Palatinate was dissolved and the village was integrated in [[Baden]]. With the growing tobacco crop the village flourished and was awarded town rights on 22 July 1895 by [[Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden]].

The opening of the [[Rhine Railway (Baden)|Rhine railway]] through [[Baden]] in 1870 led to the town's connection to railway network.<ref name="KarlMuellerS157">{{cite book |first=Karl |last=Müller |title=Die badische Eisenbahn in historisch-statistischer Darstellung |publisher=Heidelberger Verlagsanstalt und Druckerei |page=157 |year=1904 |language=de}}</ref> With the beginning of the 20th century [[asparagus]] cultivation replaced most of the remaining hops industry. At 29 May 1932 the Hockenheimring was opened with a motorcycle race. After [[World War II]] the decline of the cigar industry had begun, but Hockenheim was already known for its Hockenheimring and could expand in other industrial branches. January 1973 Hockenheim was assigned to the newly formed [[Rhein-Neckar-Kreis]] district. 

In 1986, the [[Mannheim–Stuttgart high-speed railway|Mannheim to Stuttgart high-speed railway]] was built through the town.<ref name = "konzept-1986">{{cite book |editor=Projektgruppe M/S der Bahnbauzentrale |title= Neubaustrecke Mannheim–Stuttgart: Ein Konzept für uns alle |date= January 1986 |location=Karlsruhe |page=13 |language=de}} (28-page brochure)</ref> In order to provide an interconnection between the high-speed line and the classic Rhine railway, the latter was moved west by {{convert|130|m}} and the land freed up by the removal of the old alignment was converted into a public park.<ref name = "konzept-1986"/><ref name = "bundesbahn-1989-190">{{cite journal |title=Abschluß der Pflanzarbeiten am neuen Bahnhof Hockenheim |journal=Die Bundesbahn |volume= 65 |issue=2 |year= 1989 |issn= 0007-5876 |page= 190 |language=de}}</ref> In 1991, Hockenheim was the host of the 11th [[Baden-Württemberg State Horticultural Show]], utilising this new space.

==Politics==
[[File:Hockenheim Rathaus 20130528.jpg|thumb|right|Town hall]]
The town is led by the [[Lord Mayor]] ("Oberbürgermeister"), who is elected directly by the population every 8 years; since 2004 this office is held by Dieter Gummer ([[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]). Its Permanent Representative is the "Erste Beigeordnete", with the office designation of mayor ("Bürgermeister"). As of the [[Elections in Germany#Local elections|local election]] on 25 May 2014, the local council of Hockenheim consists of 22 members, who hold the title "Stadtraetin/Stadtrat", and the Lord Mayor presiding the council.

In 1975 the Hockenheim government agreed upon a [[Verwaltungsgemeinschaft|municipal association]] ("Verwaltungsgemeinschaft") with the neighboring villages [[Altlußheim]], [[Neulußheim]] and [[Reilingen]]. Hockenheim is one of the six largest towns in the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis district; since 1999 the number of inhabitants exceeds the 20,000 threshold, thus the town received the status of a regional central town ("[[Große Kreisstadt]]") in 2001.

==Transport==
[[File:20111024Bahnhof Hockenheim.jpg|thumb|right|Hockenheim station]]
[[Hockenheim station]] is located on both the [[Rhine Railway (Baden)|Rhine railway]], opened in 1870, and the [[Mannheim–Stuttgart high-speed railway]], opened in 1991. It is served by half-hourly trains, on line S9 of the [[Rhine-Neckar S-Bahn]], between [[Karlsruhe]] and [[Mannheim]]. In peak periods it is also served by [[Regional-Express]] trains on the same route.<ref name="KarlMuellerS157"/><ref name = "konzept-1986"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2814.pdf |title=Abfahrt Hockenheim |trans-title=Departure Hockenheim |date=29 May 2024 |publisher=DB AG |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref>

Hockenheim is located on the federal motorways [[Bundesautobahn 6|A6]], from [[Saarbrücken]] to [[Waidhaus]], and [[Bundesautobahn 61|A61]], from a junction with the A6 at Hockenheim to the [[Netherlands]] near [[Venlo]]. The [[Bundesautobahn 5|A5]] passes to the east of Hockenheim on its way from a point near [[Kirchheim, Hesse|Kirchheim]] to [[Switzerland]] near [[Basel]]. Hockenheim is also on the federal highway [[Bundesstraße 39|B39]], from [[Frankenstein, Rhineland-Palatinate|Frankenstein]] to [[Mainhardt]].

==Coat of arms==
Adopted in 1609, the [[coat of arms]] of Hockenheim has diagonally crossed silver hooks in a sign, below a crowned golden lion. The lion is the animal of the Electoral Palatinate, to which Hockenheim belonged; the hooks are probably derived from the place name. The form of the symbols was changed several times, but has been specified in its current form by municipal law since 1895.

==Sport==
[[File:Hockenheim Panorama.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Hockenheimring]]]]
The [[Hockenheimring]], a motor racing course built in 1932, has become the home of the [[Formula One]] [[German Grand Prix]]. It has hosted this event over 30 times since 1970, including every year between 1986 and 2006. Since 2007 Formula One races in Germany are alternating annually between the Hockenheimring and the [[Nürburgring]]; Hockenheim hosts the event on even years. The course is also used for several other motor racing events and [[open-air concert]]s. After Nurburgring's withdrawal from 2015, [[Hockenheimring]] started hosting [[German Grand Prix]] annually since 2018. However, the track ownership and management and Formula One Management have not yet agreed a deal to extend the track's holding of the German Grand Prix beyond 2019. So far the track has not been utilised for the Grand Prix ever since (as of the 2026 formula one calendar).

==Places of interest==
[[File:Hockenheim Evangelische Kirche 20130528.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Protestantism|Protestant]] town church]]

A museum for tobacco cultivation was founded 1984 as the first of its kind in Baden-Württemberg. The [[motorsport]] museum opened near the Hockenheimring in 1986 and shows over 200 exhibits of historical motorcycles and engines. The "Gartenschaupark" was created in 1991 to host the State Horticultural Show and is, with an area of 16 [[Hectare|ha]], Hockenheim's largest park.

Hockenheim's landmark is the [[water tower]], constructed in 1910 in [[Art Nouveau]]. Other buildings of historical significance include the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] town church, a 1906 [[Baroque Revival architecture|Neo-baroque]] building by architect [[Hermann Behaghel]], and the Catholic Church (1910), done in Art Nouveau with a high tower, by [[Johannes Schroth]]. The old Catholic church, with a [[Classicism|classical]] hall (1817) and a late [[Gothic Architecture|Gothic]] choir tower (1490), serves as a community center today.

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}
Hockenheim is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockenheim.de/main/stadtinfo/p_staedte|title=Hockenheim - Partnerstädte|publisher=Town council Hockenheim|language=de|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531140951/http://www.hockenheim.de/main/stadtinfo/p_staedte|archive-date=31 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|France}} [[Commercy]], [[France]], since 1970
* {{Flagicon|Germany}} [[Hohenstein-Ernstthal]], [[Saxony]], [[Germany]], since 1990 (town in former [[East Germany]] before [[German reunification|reunification]])
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]], [[North Carolina]], [[United States]], since 2002.

A {{Interlanguage link multi|town sponsorship|de|3=Patenstadt}} (German: ''Städtepatenschaft'') for [[Samba, Burkina Faso|Samba]] in [[Samba Department]], [[Burkina Faso]] was established in May 1985.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.themenpark-umwelt.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/is/27196/?path=4422;6350;6706; Nature conservation area "Hockenheimer Rheinbogen"] {{in lang|de}}, Ministry of Environment Baden-Württemberg, retrieved 26 August 2015

{{Cities and towns in Rhein-Neckar (district)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rhein-Neckar-Kreis]]