Mutlangen

Mutlangen
Name	Mutlangen
Type	Municipality
Coordinates	48, 49, N, 9...
State	Baden-Württemberg
Region	Stuttgart
District	Rems-Murr-Kreis
Elevation	450
Area	8.78
Postal code	73557
Area code	07171
Licence	WN
Mayor	Stephanie Eßwein
Website	www.mutlangen.de

Mutlangen. Mutlangen is a municipality in the Rems-Murr-Kreis district, within the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Situated on the eastern edge of the Swabian-Franconian Forest, it lies approximately 40 kilometers east of Stuttgart and directly borders the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The community is historically part of Swabia and is traversed by the Rems river.

Geography

Mutlangen is located in the valley of the Rems, at the transition zone between the Swabian Jura to the south and the Swabian-Franconian Forest to the north. The municipal area borders directly on the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd to the west and south, while to the north and east it adjoins the municipalities of Durlangen and Täferrot. The landscape is characterized by wooded hills and the river valley, with the local landmark of the Hornberg located nearby. The Bundesautobahn 7 runs along the western boundary of the municipality.

History

The area around Mutlangen shows evidence of early settlement from the Roman period. The village itself was first mentioned in a document from the Monastery of Lorch in 1293. For centuries, it was part of the territory of the Free Imperial City of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Following the German Mediatisation in the early 19th century, it became part of the Kingdom of Württemberg. In the late 20th century, Mutlangen gained international notoriety as the site of a United States Army Pershing II missile base, which became a focal point for the peace movement and large-scale protests, including those led by figures like Franz Alt and Mikhail Gorbachev's later diplomatic efforts. The missiles were removed after the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Demographics

As of recent estimates, Mutlangen has a population of approximately 6,800 inhabitants. The population density is relatively high due to its small geographical area and its function as a residential suburb of the larger Schwäbisch Gmünd. The community has experienced steady growth since the mid-20th century, influenced by its proximity to major economic centers in the Stuttgart region. A significant portion of the workforce commutes to jobs in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Stuttgart, and the surrounding industrial areas of eastern Baden-Württemberg.

Economy

Mutlangen's economy is characterized by a mix of small to medium-sized industrial enterprises, craft trades, and retail. Several companies in the precision engineering, metalworking, and plastics sectors are based in the local industrial areas. The municipality benefits economically from its location within the prosperous Stuttgart Region and its excellent transport connections via the Bundesautobahn 7. Many residents are employed in the nearby automotive and supplier industries centered around Stuttgart and Schwäbisch Gmünd. The presence of the University of Applied Sciences Schwäbisch Gmünd also contributes to the local economic structure.

Transport

Mutlangen is exceptionally well-connected in terms of transport infrastructure. The Bundesautobahn 7 (A7) runs directly along its western border, with the junction "Schwäbisch Gmünd / Mutlangen" providing direct access. The federal highway Bundesstraße 298 (B298) also passes through the municipality. Public transport is integrated into the network of the Stuttgart S-Bahn system and regional buses operated by the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS). The nearby Schwäbisch Gmünd station offers regular rail services on the Rems Railway line to Stuttgart and Aalen.

Notable people

* Franz Alt (born 1938), journalist and author, was a prominent figure in the peace protests at the Pershing missile site. * Walter Riester (born 1943), former Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, lived in Mutlangen for a time. * Various activists and clergy associated with the peace movement of the 1980s were based in or operated from Mutlangen during the protests against the Pershing II deployment.

Category:Municipalities in Baden-Württemberg Category:Rems-Murr-Kreis