THE HISTORY OF KLOPPENHEIM

The name Kloppenheim is derived from a small village about 30 km from Wiesbaden in Germany. The significance of the name is that the developer was born in Kloppenheim before immigrating to South Africa.

Kloppenheim’s existence can be traced back to the year 800. During the period 800 A.D – 927 A.D the area in and around the village was inhabited by a German clan called Franken.

Clopheim, as it was known then, may have had its original name from a dialect spoken by a Franken Clan. Most of the villages and towns occupied by the Franken clan named their villages and towns with a word ending in “heim” meaning “home”. However, the more popular belief is that the word “ clop” comes from the middle high German language meaning ‘rock’ (felsen). The direct translation would therefore be “home of the rock”.

Because the area surrounding the village is high lying it became a sanctuary for game and its people. It was also a popular area for monarchs and royalty to visit and settle in. For security, the village was surrounded by a man-made embankment, a moat and a thorny hedge. There were three gates that were always locked at night.

Construction at Kloppenheim can be dated back to the 12th century, with a chapel that was built in the year 1321, and water mill in the year 1344. Towards the end of the 14th century, Kloppenheim boasted a lay magistrate. During a faction war in the year 1461, between Mainz and Nassau, Kloppenheim was burnt to the ground. In the midst of the 30-year war 1618 – 1648, the village of Kloppenheim saw an increase in the building of new residences. The house that the developer grew up in was built during this period. Many of the homes constructed were of such a nature that they can still be seen today with their original frontages.

Kloppenheim was also known for its fertile soil and as far back as 1344 there was evidence of the existence of fruit orchards and vines. The first cherries were picked in the year 1747. Although apple wine dates back to even earlier days, Kloppenheim became famous for its blend of ‘Appelwoi’ (apple wine). Numerous poems were written involving this wine. Wiesbaden and Kloppenheim are still famous for their selected cherries with names dating back to the 17th century.

The population of Kloppenheim took a turn in 1624, where 152 out of a population of 400 died during a plague. In 1684 there was 237 residents, 804 in 1885 and 970 in 1930. Today there are close on 2000 inhabitants.

Kloppenheim is still a country village that abounds with a variety of bird life, game and wild flowers. The village and its surrounding farmlands occupy an area of approximately 500 hectares. There are 10 000 cherry trees and a mixture of 30 000 apple and pear trees. The best time to visit Kloppenheim would be in the spring when the orchards are in full blossom, or in autumn when the leaves are in colour.