Schwäbisch Hall

Schwäbisch Hall (or Hall for short) is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The town is located in the valley of the river Kocher in the north-eastern part of Baden-Württemberg. Today, about 36,000 people live there.

Salt was distilled by the Celts at the site of Hall as early as the fifth century. The first time it was mentioned in a treaty was in 1156, connection with the establishment of St. Michael's Church in Hall. The village probably belonged first to the Counts of Comburg-Rothenburg and went from them to the Imperial house of Hohenstaufen (ca 1116). It was probably Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa who founded the imperial mint and started the coining of the so-called Heller. Hall flourished through the production of salt and coins. Since 1204 it has been called a town.
(source: Wikipedia)

Taken on December 16, 2009