Pirmasens

Pirmasens is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, near the border with France. It is famous for its shoe industry and is the gateway to the Palatinate Forest, one of the largest forests in Germany.

History

Pirmasens was first mentioned in 860. In the 18th century, it was part of the Duchy of Zweibrücken and became the residence of the Duke. The city experienced significant growth during the 19th century due to the development of the shoe industry.

Economy

The economy of Pirmasens is largely based on the shoe industry. The city is home to several shoe factories and a shoe museum, the Deutsches Schuhmuseum, which showcases the history of shoe production. Other important sectors include the chemical industry and logistics.

Culture

Pirmasens has a rich cultural scene with several museums, including the Dynamikum, a science center, and the Forum Alte Post, a museum for contemporary art. The city also hosts the annual Pirmasenser Fototage, a photography festival.

Education

The city is home to the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, which has a campus in Pirmasens. The university offers several programs in engineering, business, and design.

Transportation

Pirmasens is well connected by road and rail. The city is served by the Pirmasens Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, and the Pirmasens Nord station, which provides connections to other cities in Germany and France.

Notable people

Several notable people were born in Pirmasens, including the philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder and the footballer Heinz Schönberger.

See also

• List of cities in Germany
• Rhineland-Palatinate