The path from village to city

The first mention of the quiet farming and fishing village of Offenbach by name can be found on April 12, 977 in a document issued by Emperor Otto II.

The papacy was already abolished in Offenbach in 1542 and the Lutheran faith was introduced instead.

Thanks to the liberal religious policy of the ruling counts, many Huguenots and Jews were able to settle in Offenbach in the 18th century.

In the 18th century, Offenbach became a popular location for craftsmen and traders, which slowly put the city on the path to industrialization.

Around 1700, the town had 800 inhabitants and 100 years later (1800) there were already around 6,000 inhabitants. A bourgeoisie had slowly developed alongside the original farming population.