Trippstadt's History

Trippstadt with Hasengasse 1950

Guesthouse Spanier (Sprenger)

In the past historical events were very significant with regard to settlements. Citizens were definitely influenced by conditions of living and imperial courts.
From Celtic times trading routes lead over the ridge of the Palatinate Forest to Johanniskreuz; later the Romans also used these roads and extended them.

Settlements developed especially in those areas protected by castles, where feudal lords and servants made their homes. Consequently Trippstadt became very closely bound to Wilenstein Castle. The castle was probably built mid 12th century by the Staufers. The oldest documents that have been found with records of the castle and its inhabitants originate from 1174/79. The oldest document naming our village ("Driebescheit") was a deed of gift from 1293.

Trippstadt experienced a very eventful, and, at times, a very troubled history. In 1635 it was almost completely destroyed and only 70 people had reassembled there by 1685. (By 1750 there were again approx. 400 inhabitants .)

Forestry work and the iron-industry founded in Karl's Valley by Head Master of the Hunt, Baron Ludwig Anton von Hacke, in 1727 were of great importance for the development of the community. The iron-industry provided work in the foundries and at the same time about 50 men from Trippstadt were able to earn a living for their families as charcoal-burners, because enormous amounts of charcoal were needed for smelting. Baron Franz Carl von Hacke inherited from his father in 1752 and continued his works. He had the catholic church built in 1752/54 and the magnificent palace in 1764/67.

The name "Gienanth" is also closely connected to our village's history as the Hacke estate changed into the hands of the Gienanth family in 1803/04.

Trippstadt presents itself today as a CLIMATIC HEALTH RESORT (since 1986) with a modern communal infrastructure well combined with tourism - (heated open-air swimming pool, sport and recreational opportunities, busy society/club life and two lively church communities.

Further information about Trippstadt is available under  Arbeitsgemeinschaft Heimatkunde (Local History Work Group) Trippstadt.