Enns in Linz-Land, Upper Austria, Austria — Central Europe (Eastern Alps)
Das Stadtrecht von Enns / Enns City Charter
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 2022
1. Das Stadtrecht von Enns / Enns City Charter Marker
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Zur 700 jährigen Gedenkfeier im Jahre MCMXII
Gestiftet von der Ennser Burgerschaft
On April 22, 1212, the Babenberg Duke Leopold the Glorious bestowed a city charter on the citizens of Enns
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On the occasion of the 700 year commemoration in MCMXII
Donated by the Ennser Burgerschaft
Erected 1912 by Ennser Burgerschaft.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1212.
Location. 48° 12.843′ N, 14° 28.765′ E. Marker is in Enns, Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), in Linz-Land. Marker is on Hauptplatz, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Enns, Oberösterreich 4470, Austria. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Der Stadtturm von Enns / The Enns City Tower (here, next to this marker); Salzamt / Salt Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Das Gasthaus „Zur Sonne“ / The Inn „At the Sun“ (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Johann Friedrich Böttcher - Goldmacher / Alchemist
this page online
Regarding Das Stadtrecht von Enns / Enns City Charter. The significance of this marker is not that Enns received a city charter, but when that charter was received, relative to other places in Austria. The claim has been made that it is the “oldest city in Austria”, a claim which has been echoed on local historical markers, on the touristic signs that one encounters while driving past Enns on the autobahn (which is what lead to the posting of this marker), and even the manhole covers in the city’s main square (see Photo 6).
Also see . . .
1. Älteste Stadt Österreichs (Wikipedia, in German). An article discussing the question of which city is the oldest in Austria. The article starts off by noting that “oldest” or “first” are relative to the criteria used, and then, without drawing a definitive conclusion, discusses the candidates under various criteria.
(In translation:) Under Roman times: The Stadt auf den Magdalensberg, which already in existence before Christ, is seen today as the oldest city in Austria. Most of today's Austria was conquered around 15 BC. occupied by the Roman Empire. The Romans founded new places and elevated existing ones to cities. During his tenure between AD 41(Submitted on February 26, 2023.)and AD 54, Emperor Claudius elevated Aguntum and Iuvavum (Salzburg) to municipia, followed around the year 50 by Brigantium (Bregenz), Teurnia and Virunum. Emperor Vespasian granted Flavia Solva city rights around 70, Emperor Hadrian raised Carnuntum, Cetium (St. Pölten) and Ovilava (Wels) during his term of office from 117 to 138. Vindobona (Vienna) and Lauriacum (Enns) only became municipalities in 212. Most of these cities were no longer inhabited after the great migrations post Roman rule.Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 20222. Das Stadtrecht von Enns / Enns City Charter Marker - wide viewThe city charter marker is visible here to the right of the entrance to the city tower, while the one for the tower itself is visible to the left of the entrance.
Middle Ages: New cities only emerged again in the High Middle Ages from the 12th century. Characteristic were a fortification and the market right, and later partial self-government and the right of the citizens to have a say. The city rights were granted by the city lords. Leopold VI elevated Enns in 1212, Vienna in 1221 and Eferding in 1222 to cities. For a long time, Vienna's municipal law was considered the oldest in today's Austria.
Enns: Enns is often given as the oldest town in Austria. The city states the city charter of 1212 as the oldest preserved in Austria, which would make it the oldest city.
2. Town privileges (Wikipedia).
Overview: Town privileges or borough rights were important features of European towns during most of the second millennium. The city law customary in Central Europe probably dates back to Italian models, which in turn were oriented towards the traditions of the self-administration of Roman cities.(Submitted on February 26, 2023.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 2022
3. Das Stadtrecht von Enns / Enns City Charter Marker - wider view
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 2022
4. Enns Coat of Arms - found on the east side of the city tower
Above the coat of arms is a reference to the city charter, with the charter date of April 22, 2012.
Photographed By P. Ledermann, Wien, 1915
5. Postcard view of Enns‘ main square and city tower with marker visible
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 2022
6. Enns commemorative manhole cover
The inner band of text on this 2018 manhole cover, given to the city by Manufaktur Wagnerguss, a foundry, reads: “Enns - Älteste Stadt Österreichs” (“Enns - Austria’s Oldest City”), and lists the charter date of April 22, 1212.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 26, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
