Umkirch

Umkirch
Coat of arms
Umkirch
Location of Umkirch within Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district
Coordinates: 48°01′58″N 07°45′49″E / 48.03278°N 7.76361°E / 48.03278; 7.76361Coordinates: 48°01′58″N 07°45′49″E / 48.03278°N 7.76361°E / 48.03278; 7.76361
Country	Germany
State	Baden-Württemberg
Admin. region	Freiburg
District	Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald
Government
• Mayor	Walter Laub
Area
• Total	8.72 km2 (3.37 sq mi)
Elevation	219 m (719 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	5,400
• Density	620/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	79224
Dialling codes	07665
Vehicle registration	FR
Website	www.umkirch.de

Umkirch is a municipality in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located around 5 kilometres west of Freiburg im Breisgau.

The settlement has existed since Roman times (about 100 BC) and was called Ecclesia in Undis (Church beneath the Waves - maybe because of the two small rivers floating passing through the village). Sigillat shrds and coins were found and the church was built onto a Roman building, as a part of its wall was found.

When the Romans left in sixth century, Allemanian clans settled in Umkirch, ruled by the Lords of Üsenberg, a noble family. After they were vanquished, the family of Kageneck ruled the area. In 1806, Umkirch became part of the district of Freiburg.

Historically, it is first mentioned in 1087 in a document about the exchange of the monastery St. Ulrich in the Hexental (Witches' Valley) between the Bishop of Basel, Burkard, and the Monastery of Cluny in France. A witness present at the deal is named as "Humbert de Untkilcha". In 1270, Umkirch is given to the knight Dietrich Snewlin, later to several others, among them Martin Malterer, the count palatines of Tübingen and Flora Countess of Wrbna, until it was given to Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden.

Part of Umkirch is the village of Dachswangen: in 1924 it became part of the village.

On April 20, 1945, Umkirch was occupied by the French after World War II. It was administered by governor Pierre Pène. During World War I, Umkirch lost twenty-one citizens, during World War II, thirty citizens. Twelve others are recorded as missing in action.

The first church in Umkirch was built by a Frankish magistrate, called Centenarius Elilant. He was also called "Hunde" (meaning leader of a hundred). Apparently this name was given to the village: Hundechilche, meaning "Hunde's Church". The church of Umkirch dates back to the second half of the eleventh century. It is one of the oldest churches in Breisgau. The church was mentioned first in a letter, dated April 14, 1139 from Pope Innocent II, to Basel.