Ostdorf

Ostdorf is a Swabian village within the city limits of Balingen, Germany. Originally a village of its own, Ostdorf and Balingen have grown towards each other since the close of World War II. Finally, in 1971 Ostdorf was included to Balingen as a suburb. It is located 75 kilometers in the south of Stuttgart.GeographyLocationOstdorf lies in the west of Balingen, near the Black Forest, on a plateau above the Eyach River, a tributary of the Neckar river.The nearest high point is the Warren, 606 meters above sea level. Ostdorf affords spectacular views of the Burg Hohenzollern castle, and the Swabian Alb mountains to the east. The surrounding area is covered with coniferous forest.NeighborsNearby cities and villages include: Owingen, Engstlatt, Balingen, Geislingen.HistoryThe first settlement in the area was probably around the 7th or 8th Century. The first official mention of Ostdorf was in the 11th century when Albert von Ostdorf sold a fief of the area to the Salem Abbey. By 1287 Ostdorf belonged to the Duke of Teck.After several pledges, in 1317 the village finally became the property of Eberhard I, Count of Württemberg. This is the oldest known connection of Ostdorf with the Württemberg kingdom. During the late Middle Ages, Ostdorf was already known for its rural prosperity, and had been known as a farming community. Not until 1949 did it gradually begin to attract industries. In 1971 it was included into the city limits of Balingen. Ostdorf remains, to this day, mostly a farming community.