Ellwangen, Medieval district town in Ostalbkreis, Germany.
Ellwangen is a district town in Ostalbkreis, Baden-Württemberg, that spreads along the Jagst River valley. The settlement sits at roughly 490 meters elevation between the Swabian Alb hills and the Virngrund forest.
Bishop Hariolf founded the abbey in 764, which received imperial independence in 817. The settlement developed around the monastery for centuries until secular administration later took over governance.
The townscape preserves a medieval layout with narrow lanes and timber houses from different periods. Local festivals and markets take place on the historic squares, where residents and visitors gather beneath old facades.
The Upper Jagst Railway connects the town to regional networks, while local bus lines offer further links. The medieval center is best explored on foot, as many areas remain closed to vehicles.
The town recorded 450 executions during the 16th and 17th centuries related to witch trials. This figure appears high for a settlement of this size and reflects the intensity of the persecutions at that time.
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