Location

Westerheim is a municipality in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It is located at a height of 800 meters on the Swabian Jura, about 30 Kilometers north-west of Ulm.

History

Its origins stretch back to the Middle Ages. The Dukes of Helfenstein introduced the Reformation between 1555 and 1567, but Westerheim reverted to Catholicism. Today its inhabitants are mainly Roman Catholic, though the surrounding villages are Evangelical. In 1911-12 Westerheim received electricity. It was badly damaged in April 1945, when German Army units made a stand there. Before leaving they detonated their explosives which were stored in local barns. 2011: Celebration for 1150 years of Westerheim.

Economy

Westerheim is a Luftkurort (“fresh-air health resort”). It is a ski resort in the Winter. There is a large camping area nearby.

Sight-seeing

Sons and daughters of the city