District Mittelsachsen Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Area 51.57 km² Local time Tuesday 8:58 PM Dialling code 037207 | Elevation 304 m (997 ft) Postal codes 09661 Population 9,112 (31 Dec 2008) Postal code 09661 | |
 | ||
Weather 6°C, Wind SW at 10 km/h, 81% Humidity | ||
Hainichen is a market town in the German Free State of Saxony. It is located on the river small Striegis and about 15 miles (24 kilometres) north-east of Chemnitz. Hainichen has been shaped by its industrial past.
Contents
- Map of Hainichen Germany
- From the foundation until industrial revolution
- Nazi era
- GDR
- After reunification
- Population statistics
- Sites and buildings of interest
- Sports
- Industry
- Districts
- International relations
- Famous citizens
- More sons and daughters of the town
- References
Map of Hainichen, Germany
From the foundation until industrial revolution
A first settlement had been mentioned in 1276 as villa forensis Heynichen.
Hainichen used to be a place of considerable industry. Its primary manufacture was once that of flannels, baize, and similar fabrics; at the time it may have been called the centre of this industry in Germany.
The Gellert institution for the poor was established in 1815.
In 1933, a production plant for small delivery vans and minibuses called Framo moved from nearby Frankenberg to Hainchen. Since then, the automotive industry has been the most import employer.
Nazi era
An early concentration camp, Hainichen concentration camp, was established in April 1933 and dissolute in June 1933. During World War II, a subcamp of Flossenbürg concentration camp was located here, housing female prisoners working for the Framo enterprise.
GDR
The former plant of the Framo company was nationalized. The 1960s saw a reingeneering of delivery vans and minibuses under the Barkas B1000 brand. Hainichen became a major producer of parts for these cars.
After reunification
Production of the B1000 delivery vans and minibuses ceased in 1991.
Population statistics
Typical for a market town in the east of Germany, Hainichen faces a demographic problem.
(from 1960 onwards per 31 December):
:Source from 1998 onwards: Statistical office of Saxony
Sites and buildings of interest
Hainichen is home of a camera obscura.
Other important sights are the Gellert museum (literature museum), Tuchmacherhaus (clothier museum)and a communal park. Hainichen is surrounded by the beautiful valleys of the river Striegis.
Sports
Hainichen has a communal sports centre with a small indoor pool, a communal outdoor swimming pool and a bowling centre. Also, there is a cycling track nearby.
Industry
Hainichen is characterised by small and medium-sized businesses. The largest employer is the car parts maker Metalsa Automotive Hainichen GmbH (formerly ISE Industries Hainichen GmbH) (429 employees in 2005).
Districts
Areas of the city include
International relations
Hainichen is twinned with: