View source for Aalen

{{Short description|Town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany}}
{{distinguish|Ahlen}}
{{for|the Norwegian statistician|Odd Aalen}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox German place
|type = Town
|name = Aalen
|name_local =
|image_flag = Hissflagge Aalen.svg
|image_coa = DEU Aalen COA.svg
|image_plan = Aalen in AA.svg
|state = Baden-Württemberg
|image_photo = Aalen Joseph.jpg
|imagesize = 250px
|image_caption =
|regbzk = [[Stuttgart (region)|Stuttgart]]
|district = [[Ostalbkreis]]
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 08136088
|area = 146.58
|elevation = 430
|coordinates = {{coord|48|50|N|10|6|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code = 73430–73434
|area_code = 07361/-66/-67
|licence = AA
|mayor = Frederick Brütting<ref name=mayor>[https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/wahl/buergermeisterwahl-aalen-2021/ Oberbürgermeisterwahl Aalen 2021], Staatsanzeiger.</ref>
|leader_term       = 2021&ndash;29
|party = SPD
|website = [http://www.aalen.de/ www.aalen.de]
}}
'''Aalen''' ({{IPA|de|ˈaːlən|-|De-Aalen3.ogg}}; [[Swabian German|Swabian]]: ''Oole'' ({{IPA|swg|ˈɔːlɐ̃}})) is a town located in the eastern part of the German state of [[Baden-Württemberg]], about {{convert|70|km|mi}} east of [[Stuttgart]] and {{convert|48|km|mi}} north of [[Ulm]]. It is the seat of the [[Ostalbkreis]] district and is its largest town. It is also the largest town in the [[Ostwürttemberg]] region. Since 1956, Aalen has had the status of [[Große Kreisstadt]] (major district town). It is noted for its many [[half-timbered]] houses constructed from the 16th century through the 18th century.<ref name=munro/>

With an area of 146.63&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, Aalen is ranked 7th in Baden-Württemberg and 2nd within the [[Stuttgart (region)|Government Region of Stuttgart]], after Stuttgart. With a population of about 66,000, Aalen is the 15th most-populated settlement in Baden-Württemberg.
{{TOC limit|limit=3}}

{{Panorama
| image = Aalbäumle Panorama01.jpg
| height = 200
| caption = Panoramic view from the ''Aalbäumle'' (14 January 2022)
}}

== Geography ==
=== Situation ===
[[File:Aalen Luftbild.JPG|thumb|left|Aerial view of the district of Unterkochen (the town centre is partly covered and in the background), the Aalen lowlands well perceptible in the back]]
Aalen is situated on the upper reaches of the river [[Kocher]], at the foot of the [[Swabian Jura]] which lies to the south and south-east, and close to the hilly landscapes of the [[Ellwangen Hills]] to the north and the ''Welland'' to the north-west.

The west of Aalen's territory is on the foreland of the eastern Swabian Jura, and the north and north-west is on the [[Swabian-Franconian Forest]], both being part of the [[Swabian Keuper-Lias Plains]]. The south-west is part of the [[Albuch]], the east is part of the [[Härtsfeld]], these two both being parts of the Swabian Jura.<ref>{{harvnb|LUBW State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2010}}</ref>

The Kocher enters the town's territory from [[Oberkochen]] to the south, crosses the district of Unterkochen, then enters the town centre, where the ''Aal'' flows into it. The ''Aal'' is a small river located only within the town's territory. Next, the Kocher crosses the district of Wasseralfingen, then leaves the town for [[Hüttlingen, Baden-Württemberg|Hüttlingen]]. Rivers originating near Aalen are the [[Rems (river)|Rems]] (near [[Essingen]], west of Aalen) and the [[Jagst]] (near [[Unterschneidheim]], east of Aalen), both being tributaries of the [[Neckar]], just like the Kocher.

The elevation in the centre of the market square is {{convert|430|m|ft|sp=us|abbr=on}} relative to [[Normalhöhennull]]. The territory's lowest point is at the [[Lein (Kocher)|Lein]] river near Rodamsdörfle, the highest point is the Grünberg's peak near Unterkochen at {{convert|733|m|ft|sp=us|abbr=on}}.<ref name="bauer9">{{harvnb|Bauer|1983|p=9}}</ref>

=== Geology ===
Aalen's territory ranges over all [[Group (stratigraphy)|lithostratigraphic groups]] of the [[South German Jurassic]]: Aalen's south and the ''Flexner'' massif are on top of the [[White Jurassic]], the town centre is on the [[Brown Jurassic]], and a part of Wasseralfingen is on the [[Black Jurassic]]. As a result, the town advertises itself as a "Geologist's Mecca".<ref>{{harvnb|Sauerborn|2002}}</ref>

Most parts of the territory are on the ''Opalinuston-Formation'' (Opalinum Clay [[Formation (stratigraphy)|Formation]]) of the [[Aalenian]] subdivision of the [[Jurassic]] Period, which is named after Aalen.<ref name=munro/> On the ''Sandberg'', the ''Schnaitberg'' and the ''Schradenberg'' hills, all in the west of Aalen, the ''Eisensandstein'' (Iron Sandstone) formation emerges to the surface. On the other hills of the city, [[sand]]s ''(Goldshöfer Sande)'', [[gravel]] and residual [[rubble]] prevail.
The historic centre of Aalen and the other areas in the Kocher valley are founded completely on [[Holocene|holocenic]] [[floodplain]] [[loam]] ''(Auelehm)'' and riverbed gravel that have filled in the valley.

Most parts of Dewangen and Fachsenfeld are founded on formations of ''Jurensismergel'' (Jurensis [[Marl]]), ''Posidonienschiefer'' (cf. [[Posidonia Shale]]), ''Amaltheenton'' (Amalthean Clay), ''Numismalismergel'' (Numismalis Marl) and ''Obtususton'' (Obtusus Clay, named after [[Asteroceras obtusum]] ammonites) moving from south to north, all belonging to the Jurassic and being rich in fossils. They are at last followed by the ''Trossingen Formation'' already belonging to the [[Late Triassic]].

Until 1939 iron ore was mined on the ''Braunenberg'' hill. (see [[#Tiefer Stollen|Tiefer Stollen]] section).

=== Extent of the borough ===
The maximum extent of the town's territory amounts to {{convert|18|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=on}} in a north–south dimension and {{convert|25|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=on}} in an east–west dimension. The area is {{convert|14662.8|ha|acre}}, which includes 42.2% {{convert|6186.2|ha|acre|sp=us|abbr=on}} agriculturally used area and 37.7% {{convert|5534.9|ha|acre|sp=us|abbr=on}} of forest. 11.5% {{convert|1692.3|ha|acre|sp=us|abbr=on}} are built up or vacant, 6.4% {{convert|932.8|ha|acre|sp=us|abbr=on}} is used by traffic infrastructure. Sporting and recreation grounds and parks comprise 1% {{convert|152.7|ha|acre}}, other areas 1.1% {{convert|163.9|ha|acre|sp=us|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

=== Boroughs ===
[[File:Aalen Stadtbezirke.png|thumb|Map of Aalen's boroughs ''(Stadtbezirke)'']]
Aalen's territory consists of the town centre ''(Kernstadt)'' and the municipalities
[[Merger (politics)|merged]] from between 1938 (Unterrombach) and 1975 (Wasseralfingen, see [[#Mergings|mergings]] section).
The municipalities merged in the course of the latest municipal reform of the 1970s are also called ''[[Stadtbezirk]]e'' (quarters or districts), and are ''Ortschaften'' ("settlements") in terms of Baden-Württemberg's ''[[Gemeindeordnung]]'' (municipal code), which means, each of them has its own council elected by its respective residents ''(Ortschaftsrat)'' and is presided by a spokesperson ''(Ortsvorsteher)''.

The town centre itself and the merged former municipalities consist of numerous villages ''(Teilorte<!-- sic! -->)'', mostly separated by open ground from each other and having their own independent and long-standing history. Some however have been created as [[Planned community|planned communities]], which were given proper names, but no well-defined borders.

List of villages:<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013a}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Borough !! class="unsortable" | Coat of arms !! Area in km<sup>2</sup> !! Residents<br /><small>(1 July 2011)</small> !! class="unsortable" | Villages
|-
| Town centre
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Aalen COA.svg|40px|Coat of arms of Aalen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 30.62
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 34,466<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013b}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013c}}</ref></span>
|Hammerstadt, Hofherrnweiler, Mädle, Mantelhof, Neßlau, Oberrombach, Unterrombach, the latter also known as ''Weststadt'' ("West Town")
|-
| Dewangen
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Dewangen COA.svg|40px|Coat of arms of Dewangen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 16.53
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 3,183<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013d}}</ref></span>
|Aushof, Bernhardsdorf, Bronnenhäusle, Degenhof, Dreherhof, Faulherrnhof, Freudenhöfle, Gobühl, Großdölzerhof, Haldenhaus, Hüttenhöfe, Kleindölzerhof, Kohlhöfle, Langenhalde, Lusthof, Neuhof, Rauburr, Reichenbach, Riegelhof, Rodamsdörfle, Rotsold, Schafhof, Schultheißenhöfle, Streithöfle, Tannenhof, Trübenreute
|-
| Ebnat
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Ebnat (Aalen) COA.svg|40px|Coat of arms of Ebnat]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 21.16
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 3,327<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013e}}</ref></span>
|Affalterwang, Diepertsbuch, Niesitz
|-
| Fachsenfeld
| align="center" | [[File:Wappen Fachsenfeld.png|40px|Coat of arms of Fachsenfeld]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 3.95
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 3,605<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013f}}</ref></span>
|Bodenbach, Hangendenbuch, Himmlingsweiler, Mühlhäusle, Scherrenmühle, Waiblingen
|-
| Hofen
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Hofen (Aalen) COA.png|40px|Coat of arms of Hofen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 12.58
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 2,080<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013g}}</ref></span>
|Attenhofen, Fürsitz, Goldshöfe, Heimatsmühle, Oberalfingen, Wagenrain
|-
| Unterkochen
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Unterkochen COA.svg|40px|Coat of arms of Unterkochen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 21.44
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 4,927<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013h}}</ref></span>
|Birkhöfe, Glashütte, Neukochen, Neuziegelhütte, Stefansweilermühle
|-
| Waldhausen
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Waldhausen (Aalen) COA.png|40px|Coat of arms of Waldhausen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 24.38
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 2,335<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013i}}</ref></span>
|Arlesberg, Bernlohe, Beuren, Brastelburg, Geiselwang, Hohenberg, Neubau, Simmisweiler
|-
| Wasseralfingen
| align="center" | [[File:DEU Wasseralfingen COA.png|40px|Coat of arms of Wasseralfingen]]
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 15.97
| style="text-align:right; padding-right:2.5em" | 11,767<span style="position:absolute"><ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013j}}</ref></span>
|Affalterried, Brausenried, Bürgle, Erzhäusle, Heisenberg, Mäderhof, Onatsfeld, Rötenberg, Röthardt, Salchenhof, Treppach, Weidenfeld
|}

=== Spatial planning ===
Aalen forms a ''Mittelzentrum'' ("medium-level centre") within the [[Ostwürttemberg]] region. Its designated [[catchment area (human geography)|catchment area]] includes the following municipalities of the central and eastern Ostalbkreis district: [[Abtsgmünd]], [[Bopfingen]], [[Essingen (Württemberg)|Essingen]], [[Hüttlingen (Württemberg)|Hüttlingen]], [[Kirchheim am Ries]], [[Lauchheim]], [[Neresheim]], [[Oberkochen]], [[Riesbürg]] and [[Westhausen (Württemberg)|Westhausen]], and is interwoven with the catchment area of [[Nördlingen]], situated in [[Bavaria]], {{convert|30|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=on}} east of Aalen.

=== Climate ===
As Aalen's territory sprawls on escarpments of the Swabian Jura, on the Albuch and the Härtsfeld landscapes, and its elevation has a range of {{convert|355|m|ft|sp=us|abbr=on}}, the climate varies from district to district.

The [[weather station]] the following data originate from is located between the town centre and Wasseralfingen at about {{Coord|48|51|02|N|10|05|44|E|name=weather station|display=inline}} and has been in operation since 1991.

The sunshine duration is about 1800 hours per year, which averages 4.93 hours per day. So Aalen is above the German average of 1550 hours per year. However, with 167 days of [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], Aalen's region also ranks above the German average of 138. The annual rainfall is {{convert|807|mm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}}, about the average within Baden-Württemberg.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
The annual mean temperature is {{convert|9.9|C|F|sp=us|abbr=on}}. Here Aalen ranks above the German average of {{convert|8.2|C|F|sp=us|abbr=on}} and the Baden-Württemberg average of {{convert|8.1|C|F|sp=us|abbr=on}}.

{{Weather box
| location= Aalen
|metric first=Yes
|single line=Yes
| source 1=<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013w}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Anon|2013}}</ref>
<!--Average high temperatures-->
|Jan high C= 2
|Feb high C= 4
|Mar high C= 9
|Apr high C= 14
|May high C= 18
|Jun high C= 21
|Jul high C= 23
|Aug high C= 23
|Sep high C= 20
|Oct high C= 13
|Nov high C= 7
|Dec high C= 3
<!--Average low temperatures-->
|Jan low C= -4
|Feb low C= -3
|Mar low C= 0
|Apr low C= 4
|May low C= 8
|Jun low C= 11
|Jul low C= 12
|Aug low C= 12
|Sep low C= 9
|Oct low C= 5
|Nov low C= 1
|Dec low C= -2
<!--Mean daily temperature-->
<!-- values from de: durchschnittliche Temperatur für den jeweiligen Monat in °C -->
|Jan mean C= 1.2
|Feb mean C= 2.0
|Mar mean C= 5.5
|Apr mean C= 9.4
|May mean C= 14.3
|Jun mean C= 17.5
|Jul mean C= 19.2
|Aug mean C= 18.9
|Sep mean C= 14.2
|Oct mean C= 10.0
|Nov mean C= 4.6
|Dec mean C= 1.4
<!--Total Precipitation, this should include rain and snow.-->
<!-- values from de: durchschnittliche Niederschlagsmenge für den jeweiligen Monat in mm -->
| Jan precipitation mm = 54.5
| Feb precipitation mm = 50.8
| Mar precipitation mm = 74.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 55.4
| May precipitation mm = 79.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 68.7
| Jul precipitation mm = 87.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 80.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 67.6
| Oct precipitation mm = 72.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 59.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 56.1
<!-- durchschnittliche Anzahl täglicher Sonnenstunden für den jeweiligen Monat in h/d -->
<!-- values from de: Average monthly sunshine hours, monthly totals are preferred, and will produce colours, but percentages are accepted.-->
|Jan sun= 62
|Feb sun= 84.75<!-- if the source gives daily hours, please multiply by 28.25, not 28 -->
|Mar sun= 155
|Apr sun= 180
|May sun= 217
|Jun sun= 210
|Jul sun= 248
|Aug sun= 217
|Sep sun= 180
|Oct sun= 124
|Nov sun= 60
|Dec sun= 62
|year sun=
<!--| shjan = 2
| shfeb = 3
| shmär = 5
| shapr = 6
| shmai = 7
| shjun = 7
| shjul = 8
| shaug = 7
| shsep = 6
| shokt = 4
| shnov = 2
| shdez = 2 -->
<!--Average number of rainy days-->
<!-- values from de: durchschnittliche Regentage für den jeweiligen Monat in d -->
| Jan rain days = 16
| Feb rain days = 13
| Mar rain days = 12
| Apr rain days = 14
| May rain days = 14
| Jun rain days = 15
| Jul rain days = 15
| Aug rain days = 14
| Sep rain days = 14
| Oct rain days = 12
| Nov rain days = 15
| Dec rain days = 13
|date=June 2011}}

== History ==
=== Civic history ===
==== First settlements ====
Numerous remains of early civilization have been found in the area. Tools made of [[flint]] and traces of [[Mesolithic]] human settlement dated between the 8th and 5th millennium BC were found on several sites on the margins of the Kocher and Jagst valleys. On the ''Schloßbaufeld'' plateau (appr. {{convert|650|by|350|m|ft|sp=us|abbr=on}}), situated behind ''Kocherburg'' castle near Unterkochen, a hill-top settlement was found, with the core being dated to the [[Bronze Age]]. In the ''Appenwang'' forest near Wasseralfingen, in Goldshöfe, and in Ebnat, [[Tumulus|tumuli]] of the [[Hallstatt culture]] were found. In Aalen and Wasseralfingen, gold and silver coins left by the [[Celts]] were found. The Celts were responsible for the fortifications in the Schloßbaufeld settlement consisting of sectional embankments and a stone wall. Also, Near Heisenberg (Wasseralfingen), a Celtic [[nemeton]] has been identified; however, it is no longer readily apparent.<ref name="bauer25">{{harvnb|Bauer|1983|p=25}}</ref>

==== Roman era ====
[[File:Limesmuseum Aalen principia.jpg|thumb|The Roman fort's excavated foundation walls]]
After abandoning the [[Alb Limes]] (a ''[[Limes (Roman Empire)|limes]]'' generally following the ridgeline of the Swabian Jura) around 150 [[Anno Domini|AD]], Aalen's territory became part of the [[Roman Empire]], in direct vicinity of the then newly erected [[Rhaetian Limes]]. The Romans erected a [[castrum]] to house the [[cavalry]] unit ''[[Ala (Roman military)|Ala]] II Flavia milliaria''; its remains are known today as ''Kastell Aalen'' ("Aalen Roman fort"). The site is west of today's town centre at the bottom of the ''Schillerhöhe'' hill. With about 1,000 horsemen and nearly as many [[groom (horse)|groom]]s, it was the largest fort of [[auxiliaries (Roman military)|auxiliaries]] along the Rhaetian Limes. There were Civilian settlements adjacent along the south and the east. Around 260 AD, the Romans gave up the fort as they withdrew their presence in unoccupied [[Germania]] back to the [[Rhine]] and [[Danube]] rivers, and the [[Alamanni]] took over the region.<ref name="ostalbkreis_315">{{harvnb|Winter|1992|pp=315–320}}</ref><ref name="aalen-antike">{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013k}}</ref> Based on 3rd- and 4th-century coins found, the civilian settlement continued to exist for the time being. However, there is no evidence of continued civilization between the Roman era and the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name="bauer25"/>

==== Foundation ====
Based on discovery of alamannic graves, archaeologists have established the 7th century as the origination of Aalen. In the northern and western walls of St. John's church, which is located directly adjacent to the eastern gate of the Roman fort, Roman stones were incorporated. The building that exists today probably dates to the 9th century.

The first mention of Aalen was in 839, when emperor [[Louis the Pious]] reportedly permitted the [[Fulda monastery]] to exchange land with the Hammerstadt village, then known as ''Hamarstat''.<ref name="ostalbkreis_123">{{harvnb|Winter|1992|p=123}}</ref>
Aalen itself was first mentioned in an inventory list of [[Ellwangen Abbey]], dated ca. 1136, as the village ''Alon'', along with a lower nobleman named Conrad of Aalen. This nobleman probably had his ancestral castle at a site south of today's town centre and was subject first to Ellwangen abbey, later to the [[House of Hohenstaufen]], and eventually to the [[House of Oettingen]]. 1426 was the last time a member of that house was mentioned in connection with Aalen.
Documents, from the Middle Ages, indicate that the town of Aalen was founded by the Hohenstaufen some time between 1241 and 1246, but at a different location than the earlier village, which was supposedly destroyed in 1388 during the war between the Alliance of Swabian Cities and the Dukes of Bavaria.
Later, it is documented that the counts of Oettingen ruled the town in 1340. They are reported to have pawned the town to Count [[Eberhard II, Count of Württemberg|Eberhard II]] and subsequently to the [[House of Württemberg]] in 1358 or 1359 in exchange for an amount of money.<ref name="bauer82">{{harvnb|Bauer|1983|p=82}}</ref>

==== Imperial City ====
During the war against Württemberg, Emperor [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]] took the town without a fight after a siege. On 3 December 1360, he declared Aalen an [[Free imperial city|Imperial City]], that is, a city or town responsible only to the emperor, a status that made it a quasi-sovereign city-state and that it kept until 1803.<ref>{{harvnb|Canby|1984|p=1}}</ref> In 1377, Aalen joined the Alliance of Swabian Cities, and in 1385, the term ''civitas'' appears in the town's seal for the first time. In 1398, Aalen was granted the right to hold markets, and in 1401 Aalen obtained proper jurisdiction.

[[File:Aalen 1528.jpg|thumb|Town view of 1528]]
The oldest artistic representation of Aalen was made in 1528. It was made as the basis of a lawsuit between the town and the Counts of Oettingen at the [[Reichskammergericht]] in Speyer. It shows Aalen surrounded by walls, towers, and double moats. The layout of the moats, which had an embankment built between them, is recognizable by the present streets named ''Nördlicher, Östlicher, Südlicher'' and ''Westlicher Stadtgraben'' (Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Moat respectively). The wall was about {{convert|6|m|ft}} tall, 1518 [[Pace (unit)|single paces]] ({{convert|990|m|ft}}) long and enclosed an area of {{convert|5.3|ha|acre}}. During its early years, the town had two [[town gate]]s: The ''Upper'' or ''[[Ellwangen]] Gate'' in the east, and St. Martin's gate in the south; however due to frequent floods, St. Martin's gate was bricked up in the 14th century and replaced by the ''Lower'' or ''[[Schwäbisch Gmünd|Gmünd]] Gate'' built in the west before 1400. Later, several minor side gates were added. The central street market took place on the ''Wettegasse'' (today called ''Marktplatz'', "market square") and the ''Reichsstädter Straße''. So the market district stretched from one gate to the other, however in Aalen it was not straight, but with a 90-degree curve between southern (St. Martin's) gate and eastern (Ellwangen) gate.

Around 1500, the civic graveyard was relocated from the town church to St. John's Church,<ref name="bauer82"/> and in 1514, the ''Vierundzwanziger'' ("Group of 24") was the first assembly constituted by the citizens.

===== Reformation =====
Delegated by Württemberg's Duke [[Louis III, Duke of Württemberg|Louis III]], on 28 June 1575, nearly 30 years after [[Martin Luther]]'s death, [[Jakob Andreae]], professor and chancellor of the [[University of Tübingen]], arrived in Aalen. The sermon he gave the following day convinced the mayor, the council, and the citizens to adopt the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] in the town. Andreae stayed in Aalen for four weeks to help with the change.<ref name="bauer82"/> This brought along enormous changes, as the council forbade the Roman Catholic priests to celebrate masses and give sermons. However, after victories of the imperial armies at the beginning of the [[Thirty Years' War]], the [[Prince-Provost]]ry of Ellwangen, which still held the [[Jus patronatus|right of patronage]] in Aalen, were able to temporarily bring Catholicism back to Aalen; however after the military successes of the [[Protestant Union]], Protestant church practices were instituted again.

===== Fire of 1634 =====
On the night of 5 September 1634,<ref name = GA>{{harvnb|Geschichtsverein Aalen (Historical Society of Aalen)|2013}}</ref> two ensigns of the army of [[Bernard of Saxe-Weimar]] who were fighting with the Swedes and retreating after the [[Battle of Nördlingen (1634)|Battle of Nördlingen]] set fire to two powder carriages, to prevent the war material to fall into Croatian hands and to prevent their advance. The result was a conflagration, that some say destroyed portions of the town. There are differing stories regarding this fire. According to 17th-century accounts, the church and all the buildings, except of the ''Schwörturm'' tower, were casualties of the fire, and only nine families survived. 19th century research by Hermann Bauer, Lutheran pastor and local historian, discovered that the 17th-century account is exaggerated, but he does agree that the town church and buildings in a "rather large" semicircle around it were destroyed. The fire also destroyed the town archive housed in an addition to the church, with all of its documents.<ref name="bauer82"/> After the fire, soldiers of both armies went through the town looting.<ref>{{harvnb|Anon|2013a}}</ref> It took nearly 100 years for the town to reach its population of 2,000.

[[File:Free Imperial City of Aalen.JPG|thumb|Territory of the Imperial City of Aalen]]

French troops marched through Aalen in 1688 during the [[Nine Years' War]]; however, unlike other places, they left without leaving severe damages. The French came through again in 1702 during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] and in 1741 during the [[War of the Austrian Succession]],<ref name="bauer82"/> the latter also caused imperial troops to move through in 1743.<ref>{{harvnb|Bauer|2012|p=135}}</ref>

The town church's tower collapsed in 1765, presumably because proper building techniques were not utilized during the reconstruction after the fire of 1634. The collapsing tower struck two children of the tower watchman who died of their injuries, and destroyed the nave, leaving only the altar cross intact. The remaining walls had to be knocked down due to the damage. Reconstruction began the same year, creating the building that exists today.<ref name="bauer82"/>

On 22 November 1749, the so-called ''Aalen protocol'' regulating the cohabitation of Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the jointly ruled territory of Oberkochen was signed in Aalen by the Duchy of Württemberg and the Prince-Provostry of Ellwangen. Aalen had been chosen because of its neutral status as a Free Imperial City.

===== Napoleonic era and end of the Imperial City of Aalen =====
[[File:Angriff auf Aalen 1796.jpg|thumb|French attack on Aalen of 1796]]
During the [[War of the First Coalition]] (1796), Aalen was looted.<ref name="bauer82"/> The War of the Second Coalition concluded in 1801 with the signing of the [[Treaty of Lunéville]], which led to the [[German Mediatisation]] of 1803 that assigned most Imperial Cities to the neighbouring principalities. Aalen was assigned to the [[Electorate of Württemberg]], which later became the Kingdom of Württemberg, and became seat of the District ("Oberamt") of Aalen. During the [[War of the Third Coalition]], on 6 October 1805, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] arrived in Aalen, with an army of 40,000. This event, along with Bavarian and Austrian troops moving in some days later, caused miseries that according to the town clerk "no feather could describe".<ref name="bauer145">{{harvnb|Bauer|1983|p=145}}</ref>

In 1811, the municipality of Unterrombach was formed out of some villages previously belonging to Aalen, some to the Barons of Wöllwarth, and the eastern villages were assigned to the municipality of Unterkochen.

In the age of the Napoleonic wars, the [[town wall]]s were no longer of use, and in the 18th century, with the maintenance of walls, gates and towers becoming more neglected Finally, due to the fact that the funds were lacking, starting in 1800, most towers were demolished, the other buildings followed soon.<ref name="bauer145"/>

==== Industrial Revolution ====
[[File:Aalen nach 1861.jpg|thumb|Railway station and town after 1861]]
Before the [[Industrial Revolution]], Aalen's economy was shaped by its rural setting. Many citizens were pursuing farming besides their craft, such as [[Tanning (leather)|tanning]]. In the mid 19th century, there were twelve tanneries in Aalen, due to the proximity of [[Ulm]], an important sales market. Other crafts that added to the economy were [[Weaving|weaving mills]], which produced linen and woolen goods, and baking of sweet pastry and gingerbread.<ref name="bauer122">{{harvnb|Bauer|1983|p=122}}</ref><ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Aalen |volume= 1 |page= 2 |short=1}}</ref>

In Aalen, industrialisation was a slow process. The first major increase was in the 1840s, when three factories for [[Nail (fastener)|nails]] and some other factories emerged.<ref name="bauer122"/> It was the link with the railway network, by the opening of the [[Rems Railway]] from [[Cannstatt]] to Wasseralfingen in 1861, that brought more industry to Aalen, along with the royal [[steel mill]] (later ''Schwäbische Hüttenwerke'') in Wasseralfingen. The Rems Railway's extension to Nördlingen in 1863, the opening of the [[Brenz Railway]] in 1864 and of the [[Upper Jagst Railway]] in 1866 turned Aalen into a [[railway hub]]. Furthermore, between 1901 and its shutdown in 1972, the [[Härtsfeld Railway]] connected Aalen with [[Dillingen an der Donau]] via [[Neresheim]]. Part of becoming a rail hub entailed more jobs based on the rail industry. These included, a maintenance facility, a [[Railway roundhouse|roundhouse]], an administrative office, two track maintenance shops, and a freight station with an industrial [[branch line]]. This helped shape Aalen into what today's historians call a "railwayman's town".<ref name="Hafner Stadtführer">{{harvnb|Hafner|1989|p=5}}</ref> Starting in 1866, the utilities in town all began to be upgraded. Starting with the Aalen [[gasworks]] which were opened and [[gas lighting]] was introduced. Then in 1870, a modern [[water supply]] system was started and in 1912 the [[mains electricity]]. Finally, in 1935, the first electrically powered [[streetlight]]s were installed.<ref name="bauer122"/>

[[File:Aalen-um-1900.jpg|thumb|left|Aalen by 1900]]
To fight housing shortage during and immediately after [[World War I]], the town set up barracks settlement areas at the ''Schlauch'' and ''Alter Turnplatz'' grounds. In spite of the industry being crippled by the [[Great Depression]] of 1929, the public baths at the Hirschbach creek where modernized, extended and re-opened in 1931.<ref name="Hafner Stadtführer" />

==== Nazi era ====
In the [[German federal election, November 1932|federal election of 1932]], the [[Nazi Party]] performed below average in Aalen with 25.8% of votes compared to 33.1% on the national level, thus finishing second to the [[Centre Party (Germany)|Centre Party]] which had 26.6% (11.9% nationwide) of the votes, and ahead of the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]] with 19.8% (20.4%). However, the [[German federal election, March 1933|March 1933 federal elections]] showed that the sentiment had changed as the Nazi Party received 34.1% (still below German average 43.9% nationwide), but by far the leading vote-getter in Aalen, followed by the Centre party at 26.6% (11.3% nationwide) and the Social Democrats 18.6% (18.3% nationwide).<ref>{{harvnb|Bauer|1984|p=273}}</ref>

The democratically elected mayor Friedrich Schwarz remained in office until the Nazis removed him from office, in 1934, and replaced him by chairman of the Nazi Party town council head and brewery owner Karl Barth. Karl Barth was a provisional mayor until the more permanent solution of Karl Schübel. In August 1934, the Nazi consumer fair [[Braune Messe]] ("brown fair") was held in Aalen.<ref name="Braune Messe">{{harvnb|Anon|1934}}</ref>

During [[Nazi Germany|Nazi rule in Germany]], there were many military offices constructed in Aalen, starting with, in 1936, a military district riding and driving school for [[Wehrkreis V]]. The Nazis also built an army replenishment office ''(Heeresverpflegungsamt)'', a branch arsenal office ''(Heeresnebenzeugamt)'' and a branch army ammunitions institute ''(Heeresnebenmunitionsanstalt)''.

Starting in 1935, [[Merger (politics)|mergers]] of neighbouring towns began. In 1938, the Oberamt was transformed into the [[Districts of Germany|Landkreis]] of Aalen and the municipality of Unterrombach was disbanded. Its territory was mostly added to Aalen, with the exception of Hammerstadt, which was added to the municipality of Dewangen. Forst, Rauental and Vogelsang were added to Essingen (in 1952 the entire former municipality of Unterrombach was merged into Aalen, with the exception of Forst, which is part of Essingen until present).

In September 1944, the ''Wiesendorf'' [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camp]], a [[List of subcamps of Natzweiler-Struthof|subcamp]] of [[Natzweiler-Struthof]], was constructed nearby. It was designated for between 200 and 300 prisoners who were utilized for [[Forced labour under German rule during World War II|forced labor in industrial businesses]] nearby. Until the camp's dissolution in February 1945, 60 prisoners died.<ref name="Schätzle">{{harvnb|Schätzle|1980|p=66}}</ref> Between 1946 and 1957, the camp buildings were torn down; however, its foundations are still in place in house ''Moltkestraße 44/46''. Also, there were several other labour camps which existed where prisoners of war along with women and men from occupied countries occupied by Germany were pooled. The prisoners at these other camps had to work for the arms industry in major businesses like ''Schwäbische Hüttenwerke'' and the ''Alfing Keßler'' machine factory.<ref name="gedenkstaetten">{{harvnb|Puvogel|Stankowski|Graf|1995|p=20}}</ref>

In the civic hospital, the [[deaconess]]es on duty were gradually replaced by [[National Socialist People's Welfare]] nurses. [[Nazi eugenics]] led to [[compulsory sterilization]] of some 200 persons there.<ref name="Einhorn 140">{{harvnb|Nußbaumer|2008|p=297}}</ref>

Fortunately, Aalen avoided most of the combat activity during [[World War II]]. It was only during the last weeks of the war that Aalen became a target of [[Air warfare of World War II|air warfare]], which led to the destruction and severe damage of parts of the town, the train station, and other railway installations. A series of air attacks lasting for more than three weeks reached its peak on 17 April 1945, when [[United States Army Air Forces]] planes bombed the branch arsenal office and the train station. During this raid, 59 people were killed, more than half of them buried by debris, and more than 500 lost their homes.<ref name="Aalen Luftangriffe">{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013l}}</ref> Also, 33&nbsp;residential buildings, 12&nbsp;other buildings and 2&nbsp;bridges were destroyed, and 163&nbsp;buildings, including 2&nbsp;churches, were damaged.<ref name="bauer145"/> Five days later, the Nazi rulers of Aalen were unseated by the US forces.

==== Post-war era ====
Aalen became part of the State of [[Baden-Württemberg]], upon its creation in 1952. Then, with the Baden-Württemberg territorial reform of 1973, the District of Aalen was merged into the [[Ostalbkreis]] district. Subsequently, Aalen became seat of that district, and in 1975, the town's borough attained its present size ([[#Mergings|see below]]).

The population of Aalen exceeded the limit of 20,000, which was the requirement for to gain the status of [[Große Kreisstadt]] ("major district town") in 1946. On 1 August 1947, Aalen was declared ''Unmittelbare Kreisstadt'' ("immediate district town"), and with the creation of the [[Gemeindeordnung]] (municipal code) of Baden-Württemberg on 1 April 1956, it was declared ''Große Kreisstadt''.

=== Religions ===
On 31 December 2008, 51.1&nbsp;percent of Aalen were members of the [[Catholic Church]], 23.9&nbsp;percent were members of the [[Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg|Evangelical-Lutheran Church]]. About 25&nbsp;percent belong to other or no religious community or gave no information.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2010}}</ref> The district of Waldhausen was the district with the highest percentage of Roman Catholic inhabitants at 75.6&nbsp;percent, and the central district was the one with the highest percentage of Evangelical-Lutheran inhabitants at 25.6&nbsp;percent, as well as those claiming no religious preference at 32.5&nbsp;percent.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

==== Protestantism ====
Aalen's population originally was subject to the [[jus patronatus]] of Ellwangen Abbey, and thus subject to the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Augsburg]].

With the assistance of the Duke of Württemberg, in 1575, the [[reformation]] was implemented in Aalen. Subsequently, Aalen has been a predominantly Protestant town for centuries, with the exception of the years from 1628 until 1632 (see [[#Reformation|reformation]] section). Being an Imperial City, Aalen could govern its clerical matters on its own, so Clerics, organists and choir masters were direct subjects to the council, which thus exerted bishop-like power. There was even a proper hymn book for Aalen.<ref name="bauer82"/> After the transition to Württemberg, in 1803, Aalen became seat of a [[deanery]], with the dean church being the Town Church (with the building constructed from 1765 to 1767 and existing until present). [[Georg Pfäfflin]] was dean in Aalen (1952–1967). He carried out the parish service with great commitment, built community centers and renovated churches. When he said goodbye to Aalen, the newspaper Schwäbische Post paid tribute to him: ''A distinguished personality in intellectual life is leaving Aalen''.

Another notable church in Aalen is [[John the Baptist|St. John's]] Church, located on the cemetery and refurbished in 1561.

As Aalen's population grew in the 20th century, more parishes were founded: [[Mark the Evangelist|St. Mark's]] parish with its church building of 1967 and [[Martin of Tours|St. Martin's]] parish with its church of 1974. In the borough of Unterrombach, Aalen had implemented the [[reformation]] as well, but the community remained a [[chapel of ease|chapel-of-ease]] of Aalen. A proper church, the Christ Church, was erected in 1912 and a proper parish was established in 1947. In Fachsenfeld, the ruling family of Woellwarth resp. of Leinroden implemented the reformation. A parish church was built in 1591, however with an influx of Catholics in the 18th century, a Catholic majority was established. The other districts of present-day Aalen remained mostly catholic after the reformation, however Wasseralfingen established a Lutheran parish in 1891 and a church, St. Magdalene's Church, in 1893. In Unterkochen, after World War II, a parish was established and a church was built in 1960. All four parishes belong to the deanery of Aalen within the [[Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg]]. Furthermore, in Aalen there are [[Pietism|Old Pietistic]] communities.

==== Catholicism ====
[[File:Salvatorkirche aalen.jpg|thumb|upright|Salvator's Church]]
The few Catholics of today's central district were covered by the parish of Unterkochen until the 19th century, a situation which continued for some years even after completion of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|St. Mary's]] Church in 1868, which was constructed by [[Georg Morlok]].<ref name="bauer145"/> However, in 1872 Aalen got its proper parish again, and in 1913, a second Catholic church, Salvator's Church, was completed, and in 1969 the Holy Cross Church was also finished. In 1963, a second parish was set up, and in 1972 it got a new Church, the new St. Mary's Church, which has been erected in place of the old St. Mary's church, which had been torn down in 1968. Another church of the second parish was St. Augustine's Church, which was completed in 1970. Finally, in 1976 and 1988, St. Elizabeth's Church and St. Thomas' Church were completed. Furthermore, in 1963, the St. Michael pastoral care office was built.

Hofherrnweiler has its own Catholic church, [[Saint Boniface|St. Boniface's]], since 1904. The villages of Dewangen, Ebnat, Hofen, Waldhausen and Wasseralfingen had remained Catholic after reformation, so old parishes and churches persist there. The ''Assumption of Mary'' Church in Dewangen has an [[Gothic art|early Gothic]] tower and a newly built nave (1875). [[Immaculate Conception|Mary's Immaculate Conception]] Church in Ebnat was constructed in 1723; however the church was first mentioned in 1298.

[[File:Marienwallfahrtskirche Unterkochen.jpg|thumb|upright|St. Mary, Unterkochen]]
Hofen's [[Saint George]]'s Church is a [[fortified church]], whose current nave was built between 1762 and 1775.<ref>{{harvnb|Simla|2005}}</ref> Alongside the church, the Late Gothic [[Odile of Alsace|St. Odile's]] Chapel is standing, whose entrance has the year 1462 engraved upon it. Foundations of prior buildings have been dated to the 11th and 13th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Simla|2005a}}</ref>

St. Mary's Church of Unterkochen was first mentioned in 1248, and has served the Catholics of Aalen for a long time. Waldhausen's parish church of [[Saint Nicholas|St. Nicholas]] was built between 1699 and 1716. Wasseralfingen at first was a [[chapel of ease]] for Hofen, but has since had its own chapel, [[Saint Stephen|St. Stephen]], built. It was presumably built in 1353 and remodeled in 1832. In 1834, a proper parish was established, which built a new St. Stephen's Church. This new building utilized the [[Romanesque Revival architecture]] style and was built between 1881 and 1883, and has since remained the parish's landmark. Also, Fachsenfeld received its own church, named [[Sacred Heart]] in 1895. All Catholic parishes within Aalen are today incorporated into four pastoral care units within the ''Ostalb'' Deanery of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart|Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart]]; however these units also comprise some parishes outside of Aalen. Pastoral Care Unit two comprises the parishes of Essingen, Dewangen and Fachsenfeld, unit four comprises Hofen and Wasseralfingen, unit five comprises both parishes of Aalen's centre and Hofherrnweiler, unit five comprises Waldhausen, Ebnat, Oberkochen and Unterkochen.{{clarify|date=April 2013}}

==== Other Christian communities ====
In addition to the two major religions within Aalen, there are also [[free church]]es and other communities, including the [[United Methodist Church]], the [[Baptists]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] and the [[New Apostolic Church]].

==== Other religions ====
Until the late 19th century, no [[Jew]]s were documented within Aalen. In 1886 there were four Jews were living in Aalen, a number that rose to ten in 1900, fell to seven in 1905, and remained so until 1925. Upon the Nazis' rise to power in 1933, seven Jews, including two children, lived in Aalen.<ref name="Juden 1984">{{harvnb|Bauer|1984|pp=302–344}}</ref> During the [[Kristallnacht]] in 1938, the vitrines of the three Jewish shops in the town were smashed and their proprietors imprisoned for several weeks. After their release, most Aalen Jews emigrated. The last Jews of Aalen, Fanny Kahn, was forcibly resettled to [[Oberdorf am Ipf]], which had a large Jewish community. Today, a street of Aalen is named after her. The Jew Max Pfeffer returned from Brussels to Aalen in 1948 to continue his shop, but emigrated to Italy in 1967.<ref name="Juden 1984"/>

In Aalen, there is an Islamic [[Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs|Ditib]] community, which maintains the ''D.I.T.I.B. Mosque of Aalen (Central Mosque)'' located at Ulmer Straße.<ref name="Moscheesuche Ditib">{{harvnb|Anon|2013b}}</ref> The mosque's construction started on 30 August 2008. The Islamist [[Millî Görüş]] organisation maintains the [[Mehmed II|Fatih]] Mosque, as well at Ulmer Straße.<ref name="Moscheesuche IGMG">{{harvnb|Anon|2013c}}</ref>

==== Mergings ====
The present-day make up of Aalen was created on 21 June 1975 by the unification of the cities of Aalen and Wasseralfingen,<ref name=munro>{{harvnb|Munro|1995|p=1}}</ref> with the initial name of ''Aalen-Wasseralfingen''. This annexation made Aalen's territory one third larger than its prior size. On 1 July 1975, the name ''Aalen'' was revived. Prior to this merger, the town of Aalen had already annexed the following municipalities:
* 1938: Unterrombach
* 1 January 1970: Waldhausen
* 1 July 1972: Ebnat
* 1 January 1973: Dewangen, Fachsenfeld (including the village of Hangendenbach, which was transferred from Abtsgmünd in 1954) and Unterkochen. The merging of Dewangen nearly doubled the territory of Aalen.

=== Population's progression and structure ===
[[File:Population development Aalen.png|thumb|upright=2|Progression of Aalen's population]]
During the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[early modern period]], Aalen was just a small town with a few hundred inhabitants. The population grew slowly due to numerous wars, famines and epidemics. It was the beginning of the [[Industrial Revolution]] in the 19th century where Aalen's growth accelerated. Whereas in 1803, only 1,932 people inhabited the town, in 1905 it had already increased to 10,442. The number continued to rise and reached 15,890 in 1939.

The influx of refugees and [[Heimatvertriebene|ethnic Germans]] from Germany's former eastern territories after [[World War II]] pushed the population to 31,814 in 1961. The merger with Wasseralfingen on 21 June 1975 added 14,597 persons and resulted in a total population of 65,165 people. On 30 June 2005, the population, which was officially determined by the [[List of statistical offices in Germany|Statistical Office of Baden-Württemberg]], was 67,125.

The following overview shows how the population figures of the borough were ascertained. Until 1823, the figures are mostly estimates, thereafter census results or official updates by the state statistical office. Starting in 1871, the figures were determined by non-uniform method of tabulation using extrapolation.

{|
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Inhabitants
|-----
| 1634 || align="right" | 2,000
|-----
| 1803 || align="right" | 1,932
|-----
| 1823 || align="right" | 2,486
|-----
| 3 December 1843 ¹ || align="right" | 3,319
|-----
| 3 December 1855 ¹ || align="right" | 3,720
|-----
| 3 December 1861 ¹ || align="right" | 4,272
|-----
| 1 December 1871 ¹ || align="right" | 5,552
|-----
| 1 December 1880 ¹ || align="right" | 6,659
|-----
| 1 December 1890 ¹ || align="right" | 7,155
|-----
| 1 December 1900 ¹ || align="right" | 9,058
|-----
| 1 December 1905 ¹ || align="right" | 10,442
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Inhabitants
|-----
| 1 December 1910 ¹ || align="right" | 11,347
|-----
| 1 December 1916 ¹ || align="right" | 10,655
|-----
| 5 December 1917 ¹ || align="right" | 10,551
|-----
| 8 October 1919 ¹ || align="right" | 11,978
|-----
| 16 June 1925 ¹ || align="right" | 12,171
|-----
| 16 June 1933 ¹ || align="right" | 12,703
|-----
| 17 May 1939 ¹ || align="right" | 15,890
|-----
| 31 December 1945 || align="right" | 19,552
|-----
| 29 October 1946 ¹ || align="right" | 21,941
|-----
| 13 September 1950 ¹ || align="right" | 25,375
|-----
| 25 September 1956 ¹ || align="right" | 29,360
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Inhabitants
|-----
| 6 June 1961 ¹ || align="right" | 31,814
|-----
| 31 December 1965 || align="right" | 34,373
|-----
| 27 May 1970 ¹ || align="right" | 37,366
|-----
| 31 December 1975 || align="right" | 64,735
|-----
| 31 December 1980 || align="right" | 63,030
|-----
| 31 December 1985 || align="right" | 63,195
|-----
| 31 December 1990 || align="right" | 64,781
|-----
| 1994 || align = "right" | 66,330<ref name =Cohen>{{harvnb|Cohen|1998|p=1}}</ref>
|-----
| 31 December 1995 || align="right" | 66,234
|-----
| 31 December 2000 || align="right" | 66,373
|-----
| 31 December 2005 || align="right" | 67,066
|-----
| 31 December 2010 || align="right" | 66,113
|}
|}
<small>¹ Census result</small>

On 31 December 2008, Aalen had precisely 66,058 inhabitants, of which 33,579 were female and 32,479 were male. The average age of Aalen's inhabitants rose from 40.5 years in 2000 to 42.4 in 2008.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Within the borough, 6,312 foreigners resided, which is 9.56&nbsp;percent. Of them, the largest percentage are from [[Turkey]] (38&nbsp;percent of all foreigners), the second largest group are from Italy (13&nbsp;percent), followed by [[Croats|Croatians]] (6&nbsp;percent) and [[Serb]]s (5&nbsp;percent).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

The number of married residents fell from 32,948 in 1996 to 31,357 in 2007, while the number of divorced residents rose in the same period from 2,625 to 3,859. The number of single residents slightly increased between 1996 and 2004 from 25,902 to 26,268 and fell slightly until 2007 to 26,147. The number of widowed residents fell from 5,036 in 1996 to 4,783 in 2007.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

<gallery>
File:Durchschnittsalter Aalen.png|Average age of Aalen's inhabitants
File:Familienstand Aalen.png|Ratio of married inhabitants contrasted to unmarried
</gallery>

== Politics ==
Aalen has arranged a [[municipal association]] with [[Essingen]] and [[Hüttlingen, Baden-Württemberg|Hüttlingen]].

=== Council ===
Since the [[local election]] of 25 May 2014, the [[municipal council|town council]] consists of 51&nbsp;representatives having a term of five years. The seats are distributed as follows on parties and groups (changes refer to the second last election of 2004):

[[File:Gemeinderat Aalen 2014.svg|thumb|350px|Distribution of seats in the council since 2014]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+ Town council since 2014
|-
! Parliamentary group !! Election result !! ± !! Strength !! ±
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|style="text-align:center"| 37,4 %
|style="text-align:center"| +1,2 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 19 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| −2
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]
|style="text-align:center"| 22,9 %
|style="text-align:center"| −0,5 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 11 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| –2
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]]
|style="text-align:center"| 15,6 %
|style="text-align:center"| –0,1 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 8 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| –1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[Free Voters]] Aalen
|style="text-align:center"| 11,5 %
|style="text-align:center"| +11,5 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 6 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| +6
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]]/Pro Aalen
|style="text-align:center"| 7,3 %
|style="text-align:center"| –0,3 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 4 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| +1
|-
|style="text-align:left"| [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]]/[[Free Voters|FW]]
|style="text-align:center"| 3,4 %
|style="text-align:center"| –10,4 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 2 Sitze
|style="text-align:center"| –5
|-
|style="text-align:left"| Active Citizens ''(Aktive Bürger)''
|style="text-align:center"| 1,9 %
|style="text-align:center"| −1,5 Pp.
|style="text-align:center"| 1 Sitz{{0|e}}
|style="text-align:center"| 0
|}

=== Mayors ===
Since 1374, the mayor and the council maintain the government of the town. In the 16th century, the town had two, sometimes three mayors, and in 1552, the council had 13 members. Later, the head of the administration was reorganized several times. In the Württemberg era, the mayor's title was initially called ''Bürgermeister'', then from 1819 it was [[Schultheiß]], and since 1947 it is ''Oberbürgermeister''. The mayor is elected for a term of eight years, and he is chairman and a voting member of the council. He has one deputy with the official title of ''Erster Bürgermeister'' ("first mayor") and one with the official title of ''Bürgermeister'' ("mayor").
[[File:Flagge Aalen.svg|thumb|upright|Flag of Aalen]]
'''Heads of town in Aalen since 1802'''
* 1802–{{0|0000}}: Theodor Betzler
* 1812–1819: Ludwig Hölder
* 1819–1829: Theodor Betzler
* 1829:{{0|–0000}} Palm
* 1829–1848: Philipp Ehmann
* 1848–1873: Gustav Oesterlein
* 1873–1900: Julius Bausch
* 1900–1902: Paul Maier
* 1903–1934: Friedrich Schwarz
* 1935–1945: [[Karl Schübel]] ([[NSDAP]])
* 1945–1950: [[Otto Balluff]]
* 1950–1975: Karl Schübel (independent)
* 1976–2005: [[Ulrich Pfeifle]] ([[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]])
* 2005–2013: [[Martin Gerlach]] (independent)
* 2013–2021: [[Thilo Rentschler]] (SPD)
* 2021–{{0|0000}}: Frederick Brütting<ref name=mayor/> (SPD)

=== Coat of arms and flag ===
[[File:Stadtwappen Aalen 1766.JPG|thumb|100px|left|Coat of arms of 1766 with eagle and eel]]
Aalen's [[coat of arms]] depicts a black eagle with a red tongue on golden background, having a red shield on its breast with a bent silver [[eel]] on it. Eagle and eel were first acknowledged as Aalen's heraldic animals in the seal of 1385, with the eagle representing the town's [[imperial immediacy]].<ref name="bauer9"/> After the territorial reform, it was bestowed again by the [[Stuttgart (region)|Administrative District of Stuttgart]] on 16 November 1976.

The coat of arms' [[blazon]] reads: "In gold, the black imperial eagle, with a red breast shield applied to it, therein a bent silver eel" ''(In Gold der schwarze Reichsadler, belegt mit einem roten Brustschild, darin ein gekrümmter silberner Aal)''.

Aalen's flag is striped in red and white and contains the coat of arms.

The origin of the town's name is uncertain. [[Matthäus Merian]] (1593–1650) presumed the name to originate from its location at the Kocher river, where "frequently eels are caught", while ''Aal'' is German for "eel". Other explanations point to Aalen as the garrison of an [[Ala (Roman allied military unit)|ala]] during the Roman empire, respectively to an abridgement of the Roman name "Aquileia" as a potential name of the Roman fort, a name that nearby [[Heidenheim an der Brenz]] bore as well. Another interpretation points to a Celtic word '''aa''' meaning "water".<ref name="bauer9"/>
{{Clear}}

=== Godparenthood ===
On the occasion of the 1980 ''Reichsstädter Tage'', Aalen took over godparenthood for the more than 3000 ethnic Germans displaced from the [[Vyškov|Wischau]] linguistic enclave. 972 of them settled in Aalen in 1946. The "Wischau Linguistic Enclave Society" ''(Gemeinschaft Wischauer Sprachinsel)'' regularly organises commemorative meetings in Aalen. Their traditional costumes are stored in the [[#Old Town Hall|Old Town Hall]].

=== Municipal finances ===
According to the 2007 municipal poll by the Baden-Württemberg chapter of the [[German Taxpayers Federation]], municipal tax revenues totalling to 54,755 million Euros (2006) resp. 62,148 million Euros (2007) face the following debts:<ref>{{harvnb|Taxpayers Association of Germany|2007}}</ref>{{page needed|date=July 2014}}
* 2006 total: 109.9 million Euros debts (64.639 million of the finance department and 48.508 million of the municipal enterprises and fund assets)
* 2007 total: 114.5 million Euros debts (69.448 million of the finance department and 45.052 million of the municipal enterprises and fund assets)

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}
Aalen is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Partnerstädte Aalens|url=https://www.aalen.de/partnerstaedte-aalens.37146.25.htm|website=aalen.de|publisher=Aalen|language=de|access-date=2021-02-04}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saint-Lô]], France (1978)
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], United Kingdom (1981)
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Tatabánya]], Hungary (1987)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Antakya]], Turkey (1995); initiated by Ismail Demirtas, who emigrated in 1962 from Turkey to Aalen and was social adviser for foreign employees<ref>{{harvnb|Press and Information Office of the Federal Government|2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Cervia]], Italy (2011)
*{{flagicon|MOZ}} [[Vilankulo]], Mozambique (2018)

The "Twin Towns Society of Aalen" ''(Städtepartnerschaftsverein Aalen e.&nbsp;V.)'' promotes friendly relations between Aalen and its twin towns,<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013m}}</ref> which comprises mutual exchanges of sports and cultural clubs, schools and other civic institutions. On the occasion of the [[#Reichsstädter Tage|Reichsstädter Tage]], from 11 until 13 September 2009 the first conference of twin towns was held.

== Culture and sights ==
=== Theatre ===
The ''[[Theater der Stadt Aalen]]'' theatre was founded in 1991 and stages 400 to 500 performances a year.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013n}}</ref>

=== Schubart Literary Award ===
The town endowed the "Schubart Literary Award" ''(Schubart-Literaturpreis)'' in 1955 in tribute to [[Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart]], who spent his childhood and youth in Aalen. It is one of the earliest literary awards in Baden-Württemberg and is awarded biennially to German-language writers whose work coincide with Schubart's "liberal and enlightened reasoning".<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013o}}</ref> It is compensated with 12,000&nbsp;Euros.

=== Music ===
Founded in 1958, the "[[Music School]] of the Town of Aalen" today has about 1,500 students taught by 27 music instructors in 30 subjects.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013p}}</ref> In 1977, a [[symphony orchestra]] was founded in Aalen, which today is called ''Aalener Sinfonieorchester'', and consists mostly of instructors and students of the music school. It performs three public concerts annually: The "New Year's Concert" in January, the "Symphony Concert" in July and a "Christmas Concert" in December.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013q}}</ref> Beyond that, music festivals regularly take place in Aalen, like the [[Aalen Jazzfest]].

The Aalen volunteer fire department has had a [[marching band]] since 1952, whose roots date back to 1883. In 1959, the band received its first [[glockenspiel]] from TV host [[Peter Frankenfeld]] on the occasion of a TV appearance.<ref>{{harvnb|Anon|2013d}}</ref>

A famous German rapper, designer and singer, that goes under the name of [[Cro (musician)|Cro]], was born in Aalen and lived his early years here.

=== Arts ===
The ''Kunstverein Aalen'' was founded in 1983 as a non-profit art association and today is located in the Old Town Hall. 
The institution with more than 400 members focuses on solo and group exhibitions by international artists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kunstverein-aalen.de |title=Kunstverein Aalen|website=kunstverein-aalen.de|accessdate=10 November 2021|language=de}}</ref> It belongs to the ''Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Kunstvereine'' (ADKV), an umbrella organization for non-profit art associations.<ref>{{cite web |title=About ADKV |url=https://kunstvereine.de/en/about-adkv |website=kunstvereine.de |accessdate=10 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Museums and memorial sites ===
==== Museums ====
[[File:Limesmuseum Aalen Aussenansicht.jpg|thumb|Aalen Limes Museum, exterior view]]
In the central district of Aalen, there are two museums: The "Aalen [[Limes Germanicus|Limes]] Museum" ''(Limesmuseum Aalen)'' is located at the place of the largest [[castra|Roman cavalry fort]] north of the Alps until about 200 AD. It opened in 1964.<ref name=EB>{{harvnb|Hoiberg|2010|p=2}}</ref> The museum exhibits numerous objects from the Roman era. The ruins of the cavalry fort located beside the museum is open to museum visitors. Every other year, a Roman festival is held in the area of the museum ([[#Roman Festival|see below]]).

In the Geological-Paleontological Museum located in the historic town hall, there are more than 1500 fossils from the Swabian Jura, including [[ammonite]]s, [[Ichthyosauria|ichthyosaur]]s and [[coral]]s, displayed.

In the Waldhausen district the ''Heimatstüble'' museum of local history has an exhibition on agriculture and rural living.

In the Wasseralfingen district, there are two more museums: The ''Museum Wasseralfingen'' comprises a local history exhibition and an art gallery including works of [[Hermann Plock]], [[Helmut Schuster]] and [[Sieger Köder]]. Also, the [[stove]] plate collection of the ''Schwäbische Hüttenwerke'' steel mill is exhibited, with artists, modellers and the production sequence of a cast plate from design to final product being presented.

==== Memorial sites ====
[[File:Gedenkstein Schillerlinde Wasseralfingen.jpg|thumb|upright|Memorial stone at ''Schillerlinde'']]
There is memorial stone at the ''Schillerlinde'' tree above Wasseralfingen's ore pit dedicated to four prisoners of the subcamp of Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp killed there. Also in Wasseralfingen, in the cemetery a memorial with the Polish inscription "To the victims of [[Hitler]]" which commemorates the deceased forced labourers buried there.<ref name="gedenkstaetten" />

In 1954, on the ''Schillerhöhe'' hill the town erected a bell tower as a memorial to Aalen's victims of both world wars and to the [[Heimatvertriebene|displacement of ethnic Germans]]. The tower was planned by [[Emil Leo]], the bell was endowed by Carl Schneider. The tower is open on request. Every evening at 18:45 (before 2003: at 19:45), the memorial's bell rings.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2004}}</ref>

=== Buildings ===
==== Churches ====
[[File:Johanneskirche Aalen.jpg|thumb|St. John's Church]]
[[File:St. Stephanus, Wasseralfingen.jpg|thumb|upright|St. Stephen's Church, Wasseralfingen]]
The town centre is dominated by the Evangelical-Lutheran [[Saint Nicholas|St. Nicholas']] Church in the heart of the pedestrian area. The church, in its present shape being built between 1765 and 1767, is the only major [[Rococo|Late Baroque]] building in Aalen and is the main church of the Evangelical-Lutheran parish of Aalen.

''St. John's Church'' is located inside of St. John's cemetery in the western centre. The building presumably is from the 9th century and thus is one of Württemberg's oldest existing churches. The interior features [[fresco]]s from the early 13th century.

For other churches in Aalen, see the [[#Religions|Religions]] section.

==== Historic Town Hall with "Spy" ====
[[File:Spionturm Aalen.jpg|thumb|upright|"Spy's Tower"]]
The Historic Town Hall was originally built in the 14th century. After the fire of 1634, it was re-constructed in 1636. This building received a clock from Lauterburg,<ref name="bauer82"/> and the Imperial City of [[Nuremberg]] donated a [[Carillon]]. It features a figurine of the "Spy of Aalen" and historically displayed other figurines, however the latter ones were lost by a fire in 1884. Since then, the Spy resides inside the reconstructed tower and has become a symbol of the town. The building was used as the town hall until 1907. Since 1977, the Geological-Paleontological Museum resides in the Historic Town Hall.<ref name="Citybummel">{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013r}}</ref>

According to legend, the citizens of Aalen owe the "Spy of Aalen" ''(Spion von Aalen)'' their town having been spared from destruction by the emperor's army:

<blockquote>The Imperial City of Aalen was once in quarrel with the emperor, and his army was shortly before the gates to take the town. The people of Aalen got scared and thus dispatched their "most cunning" one out into the enemy's camp to spy out the strength of their troops. Without any digression, he went straight into the middle of the enemy camp, which inescapably led to him being seized and presented to the emperor. When the emperor asked him what he had lost here, he answered in [[Swabian German]]: "Don't frighten, high lords, I just want to peek how many cannons and other war things you've got, since I am the spy of Aalen". The emperor laughed upon such a blatancy and ''acted'' naïvety, steered him all through the camp and then sent him back home. Soon the emperor withdrew with his army as he thought a town such ''wise guys'' reside in deserved being spared.<ref>{{harvnb|Meier|2013|p=368}}</ref></blockquote>

==== Old Town Hall ====
The earliest record of the Old Town Hall was in 1575. Its outside wall features the oldest known coat of arms, which is of 1664. Until 1851, the building also housed the ''Krone-Post'' hotel, which coincided with being a station of the [[Thurn-und-Taxis-Post|Thurn und Taxis postal company]]. It has housed many notable persons. Thus the so-called "Napoleon Window" with its "N" painted on reminds of the stay of French emperor [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] in 1805. According to legend, he rammed his head so hard it bled on this window, when he was startled by the noise of his soldiers ridiculing the "Spy of Aalen".<ref name="bauer145"/> The building was used as Aalen's town hall from 1907 until 1975. Today it houses a cabaret café and the stage of the Theatre of the Town of Aalen. The town has adopted the ''Wischau Linguistic Enclave Society'' due to their godparenthood and stores their traditional costumes in the building.

==== Bürgerspital ====
The ''Bürgerspital'' ("Civic Asylum") is a [[Timber framing|timber-frame]] house erected on ''Spritzenhausplatz'' ("Fire Engine House Square") in 1702. Until 1873, it was used as civic hospital, then, later as a retirement home. After a comprehensive renovation in 1980 it was turned into a senior citizen's community centre.<ref name="Citybummel"/>

==== Limes-Thermen ====
On a slope of the ''Langert'' mountain, south of the town, the ''Limes-Thermen'' ("Limes [[Thermae]]") [[hot spring]]s are located. They were built in ancient Roman style and opened in 1985. The health spa is supplied with water about {{convert|34|to|36|C|F}}.

==== Market square ====
The market square is the historic hub of Aalen and runs along about {{convert|150|m|ft}} from the town hall in the south to the Historic Town Hall and the Old Town Hall in the north, where it empties into ''Radgasse'' alley. Since 1809, it is site of the weekly market on Wednesday and Saturday. About {{convert|10|m|ft}} in front of the ''Reichsstädter Brunnen'' fountain at the town hall, the coats of arms of Aalen, its twinned cities and of the Wischau linguistic enclave are paved into the street as mosaic.

===== Market fountain =====
[[File:Marktbrunnen Aalen.jpg|thumb|Statue depicting [[Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph&nbsp;I]] at the market fountain]]
In 1705, for the water supply of Aalen a well casing was erected at the northern point of the market square, in front of the Historic Town Hall. It was a present of duke [[Eberhard Louis, Duke of Württemberg|Eberhard Louis]]. The fountain bore a statue of emperor [[Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph&nbsp;I.]], who was enthroned in 1705 and in 1707 renewed Aalen's Imperial City privileges.<ref name="bauer82"/> The fountain was supplied via a wooden pipe. Excessive water was dissipated through ditches branched from Kocher river. When in the early 1870s Aalen's water network was constructed, the fountain was replaced by a smaller fountain about {{convert|100|m|ft}} distant. In 1975, the old market fountain was re-erected in baroque style. It bears a replica of the emperor's statue, with the original statue exhibited in the new town hall's lobby. The [[cast iron]] casing plates depict the 1718 coat of arms of the Duchy of Württemberg and the coats of arms of Aalen and of the merged municipalities.

===== Reichsstädter Brunnen =====
The ''Reichsstädter Brunnen'' fountain ("Imperial Civic Fountain") is located in front of the town hall at the southern point of the market square. It was created by sculptor [[Fritz Nuss]] in 1977 to commemorate Aalen's time as an Imperial City (1360–1803). On its circumference is a [[frieze]] showing bronze figurines illustrating the town's history.<ref name="Citybummel"/>

==== Radgasse ====
The ''Radgasse'' ("Wheel Alley") features Aalen's oldest façade. Originally a small pond was on its side. The buildings were erected between 1659 and 1662 for peasants with citizenry privileges and renovated in the mid-1980s. The namesake for the alley was the "Wheel" tavern, which was to be found at the site of today's address ''Radgasse 15''.<ref name="Citybummel"/>

==== Tiefer Stollen ====
[[File:Eingang Besucherbergwerk Tiefer Stollen heute.JPG|thumb|''Tiefer Stollen'' tourist mine]]
The former iron ore pit ''Wilhelm'' at Braunenberg hill was converted into the ''Tiefer Stollen'' tourist mine in order to remind of the old-day miners' efforts and to maintain it as a memorial of early industrialisation in the Aalen area. It has a mining museum open for visitors, and a [[mine railway]] takes visitors deep into the mountain. The Town of Aalen, a sponsorship association, and many citizens volunteered several thousand hours of labour to put the mine into its current state. As far as possible, things were left in the original state. In 1989, a sanitary gallery was established where respiratory diseases are treated within rest cures.{{clarify|date=April 2013}} Thus the Aalen village of Röthard, where the gallery is located, was awarded the title of "Place with sanitary gallery service" in 2004.<ref>{{harvnb|Pfeifle|2004}}</ref>

==== Observatory ====
The Aalen Observatory was built in 1969 as school observatory for the Schubart [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]]. In 2001, it was converted to a public observatory. Since then, it has been managed by the ''Astronomische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Aalen'' ("Aalen Astronomical Society"). It is located on Schillerhöhe hill and features two [[refractive telescope]]s. They were manufactured by [[Carl Zeiss AG]] which has its headquarters in nearby Oberkochen and operates a manufacturing works in Aalen ([[#Economy and infrastructure|see below]]). In the observatory, guided tours and lectures are held regularly.

==== Windpark Waldhausen ====
[[File:Windrad Waldhausen 02.JPG|thumb|Wind turbine at Windpark Waldhausen]]
The ''Windpark Waldhausen'' [[wind farm]] began operations in early 2007. It consists of seven [[REpower]] MM92 wind turbines with a [[nameplate capacity]] of 2 MW each.<ref name="windpark_waldhausen">{{harvnb|Windpark Waldhausen|2013}}</ref> The hub height of each wind turbine is {{convert|100|m|ft}}, with a rotor diameter of {{convert|92|m|ft}}.

==== Aalbäumle observation tower ====
[[File:Aalbäumle.jpg|thumb|upright|''Aalbäumle'' observation tower]]
The {{convert|26|m|ft}} tall ''Aalbäumle'' observation tower is built atop ''Langert'' mountain. This popular hiking destination was built in 1898 and was remodelled in 1992. It features a good view over Aalen and the Welland region, up to the Rosenstein mountain and Ellwangen. Beneath the tower, an adventure playground and a cabin is located. A flag on the tower signals whether the cabin's restaurant is open.

=== Natural monuments ===
The Baden-Württemberg State Institute for Environment, Measurements and Natural Conservation has laid out six protected landscapes in Aalen (the ''Swabian Jura escarpment between Lautern and Aalen with adjacent territories'', the ''Swabian Jura escarpment between Unterkochen and Baiershofen'', the ''Hilllands around Hofen'', the ''Kugeltal and Ebnater Tal valleys with parts of Heiligental valley and adjacent territories'', ''Laubachtal valley'' and ''Lower Lein Valley with side valleys''), two sanctuary forests (''Glashütte'' and ''[[Kocher]] Origin''), 65 extensive [[natural monument]]s, 30 individual natural monuments and the following two [[protected areas]]:<ref>{{harvnb|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013a}}</ref>

The {{convert|24.1|ha|acre}} large ''Dellenhäule'' protected area between Aalen's Waldhausen district and Neresheim's Elchingen district, created in 1969, is a sheep pasture with [[juniper]] and [[wood pasture]] of old willow oaks.<ref>{{harvnb|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013b}}</ref>

The {{convert|46.5|ha|acre}} large ''Goldshöfer Sande'' protected area was established in 2000 and is situated between Aalen's Hofen district and Hüttlingen. The sands on the hill originated from the [[Early Pleistocene]] are of geological importance, and the various grove structures offer habitat to severely endangered bird species.<ref>{{harvnb|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013c}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
[[File:WaldstadionAalen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Scholz Arena]]
The football team, [[VfR Aalen]], was founded in 1921 and played in the [[2. Fußball-Bundesliga|2nd German League]] between 2012 and 2015, after which they were relegated to [[3. Liga]]. Its playing venue is the [[Scholz-Arena]] situated in the west of the town, which bore the name ''Städtisches Waldstadion Aalen'' ("Civic Forest Stadium of Aalen") until 2008. From 1939 until 1945, the VfR played in the [[Gauliga Württemberg]], then one of several parallel top-ranking soccer leagues of Germany.

The [[KSV Aalen]] wrestles in the [[Bundesliga (wrestling)|Wrestling Federal League]]. It was German champion in team wrestling in 2010. Its predecessor, the ''KSV Germania Aalen'' disbanded in 2005, was German champion eight times and runner-up five times since 1976. Another Aalen club, the [[TSV Dewangen]], wrestled in the Federal League until 2009.

Two American sports, [[American football]] and [[Baseball]], are pursued by the ''MTV Aalen''. [[Volleyball]] has been gaining in popularity in Aalen for years. The first men's team of ''DJK Aalen'' accomplished qualification for regional league in the season of 2008/09.

The ''Ostalb'' ski lifts are located south of the town centre, at the northern slope of the Swabian Jura. The skiing area comprises two [[platter lift]]s that have a vertical rise of {{convert|130|and|30|m|ft}}, with two runs with lengths of {{convert|800|and|1200|m|ft}} and a beginners' run.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013s}}</ref>

=== Regular events ===
==== Reichsstädter Tage ====
Since 1975, ''Reichsstädter Tage'' ("Imperial City days") festival is held annually in the town centre on the second weekend in September. It is deemed the largest festival of the [[Ostwürttemberg]] region,<ref>{{harvnb|Anon|2007}}</ref> and is associated with a shopping Sunday in accordance with the {{Lang|de|[[Ladenschlussgesetz]]}} code. The festival is also attended by delegations from the twinned cities. On the town hall square, on Sunday an [[Ecumenism|ecumenical service]] is held.

==== Roman Festival ====
The international Roman Festival ''(Römertage)'' are held biannially on the site of the former Roman fort and the modern Limes museum. The festival's ninth event in 2008 was attended by around 11,000 people.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2008}}</ref>

==== Aalen Jazz Festival ====
Annually during the second week of November, the [[Aalen Jazz Festival]] brings known and unknown artists to Aalen. It has already featured musicians like [[Miles Davis]], [[B. B. King]], [[Ray Charles]], [[David Murray (saxophonist)|David Murray]], [[McCoy Tyner]], [[Al Jarreau]], [[Esbjörn Svensson]] and [[Albert Mangelsdorff]]. The festival is complemented by individual concerts in spring and summer, and, including the individual concerts, comprises around 25 concerts with a total of about 13,000 visitors.

== Economy and infrastructure ==
In 2008 there were 30,008 employees liable to [[social insurance]] living in Aalen. 13,946 (46.5&nbsp;percent) were employed in the [[Secondary sector of the economy|manufacturing sector]], 4,715 (15.7&nbsp;percent) in commerce, catering, hotels and transport, and 11,306 (37.7&nbsp;percent) in other services.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013t}}</ref> Annually 16,000 employees commute to work, with about 9,000 living in the town and commuting out.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013u}}</ref>

Altogether in Aalen there are about 4,700 business enterprises, 1,100 of them being registered in the [[German Trade Register|trade register]]. The others comprise 2,865 [[Kleingewerbe|small enterprises]] and 701 craft enterprises.<ref name="Unternehmen und Betriebe">{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2013v}}</ref>

In Aalen, [[metalworking]] is the predominant industry, along with machine-building. Other industries include [[optics]], paper, information technology, [[chemicals]], textiles,<ref name=EB/> medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and food.<ref name=Cohen/>

Notable enterprises include ''SHW Automotive'' (originating from the former ''Schwäbische Hüttenwerke'' steel mills and a mill of 1671 in Wasseralfingen), the ''Alfing Kessler'' engineering works, the precision tools manufacturer ''MAPAL Dr.&nbsp;Kress'', the snow chain manufacturer ''RUD&nbsp;Ketten&nbsp;Rieger&nbsp;&&nbsp;Dietz'' and its subsidiary ''Erlau'', the ''Gesenkschmiede Schneider'' forging die smithery, the ''SDZ Druck und Medien'' media company, the ''Papierfabrik Palm'' paper mill, the alarm system manufacturer ''Telenot'', the laser show provider ''LOBO electronic'' and the [[Finishing (textiles)|textile finisher]] ''Lindenfarb'', which all have their seat in Aalen. A branch in Aalen is maintained by optical systems manufacturer [[Carl Zeiss AG|Carl Zeiss]] headquartered in nearby Oberkochen.<ref name="Unternehmen und Betriebe" />

===Transport===
[[File:Bahnhof Aalen.jpg|thumb|Aalen station]]

==== Rail ====
[[Aalen station]] is a regional railway hub on the [[Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt–Nördlingen railway]] from [[Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof|Stuttgart]] and {{stn|Nördlingen}}, the [[Aalen–Ulm railway]] from [[Ulm Hauptbahnhof|Ulm]] and the [[Goldshöfe–Crailsheim railway]] to [[Crailsheim]]. Until 1972, the [[Härtsfeld Railway]] connected Aalen with [[Dillingen an der Donau]] via [[Neresheim]]. Other railway stations within the town limits are ''Hofen (b Aalen)'', ''Unterkochen'', ''Wasseralfingen'' and [[Goldshöfe station]]. The ''Aalen-Erlau'' stop situated in the south is no longer operational.

Aalen station is served at two-hour intervals by trains of [[Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)|Intercity]] line 61 [[Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof|Karlsruhe]]–Stuttgart–Aalen–[[Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof|Nuremberg]]. For regional rail travel, Aalen is served by various lines of the [[Interregio-Express]], [[Regional-Express]] and [[Regionalbahn]] categories. Since the beginning of 2019, the British company [[Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland|Go-Ahead]] took over the regional railway business of [[DB Regio]] in the region surrounding Aalen. The town also operates the Aalen [[industrial railway]] ''(Industriebahn Aalen)'', which carries about 250 carloads per year.<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2002}}</ref>

==== Bus ====
Aalen also is a regional hub in the bus network of OstalbMobil, the transport network of the district Aalen is in. The bus lines are operated and serviced by regional companies like OVA and RBS RegioBus Stuttgart.

==== Street ====
The junctions of ''Aalen/[[Westhausen (Ostalb)|Westhausen]]'' and ''Aalen/Oberkochen'' connect Aalen with the [[Autobahn]] [[Bundesautobahn 7|A7]] ([[Würzburg]]–[[Füssen]]). Federal roads (''[[Bundesstraße]]n'') connecting with Aalen are [[Bundesstraße 19|B&nbsp;19]] ([[Würzburg]]–[[Ulm]]), [[Bundesstraße 29|B&nbsp;29]] ([[Waiblingen]]–[[Nördlingen]]) and [[Bundesstraße 290|B&nbsp;290]] ([[Tauberbischofsheim]]–Westhausen). The [[Schwäbische Dichterstraße]] ("Swabian Poets' Route") tourist route established in 1977/78 leads through Aalen.

Several bus lines operate within the borough. The ''Omnibus-Verkehr Aalen'' company is one of the few in Germany that use [[double-decker bus]]es, it has done so since 1966.<ref>{{harvnb|OVA Bus Transport Aalen|2012}}</ref> A district-wide fare system, ''OstalbMobil'', has been in effect since 2007.

==== Air transport ====
Stuttgart Airport, offering international connections, is about {{convert|90|km|mi}} away, the travel time by train is about 100&nbsp;Minutes. At [[Aalen-Heidenheim Airport]], located {{convert|15|km|mi}} south-east of Aalen, small aircraft are permitted. [[Gliding]] airfields nearby are in [[Heubach]] and [[Bartholomä]].

==== Bicycle ====
Bicycle routes stretching through Aalen are the ''Deutscher Limes-Radweg'' ("[[Limes Germanicus|German Limes]] Bicycle Route") and the ''Kocher-Jagst'' Bicycle Route.

=== Public facilities ===
Aalen houses an [[Amtsgericht]] (local district court), chambers of the Stuttgart [[labor court|Labour Court]], a [[Civil law notary|notary's office]], a tax office and an [[employment agency]]. It is the seat of the Ostalbkreis district office, of the Aalen Deanery of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church and of the ''Ostalb'' deanery of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart]].

The Stuttgart [[administrative court]], the Stuttgart Labour Court and the Ulm Social Welfare Court are in charge for Aalen.

Aalen had a civic hospital, which resided in the ''Bürgerspital'' building until 1873, then in a building at ''Alte Heidenheimer Straße''. In 1942, the hospital was taken over by the district. The district hospital at the present site of ''Kälblesrain'', known today as ''Ostalb-Klinikum'', was opened in 1955.<ref name="bauer145"/>

=== Media ===
The first local newspaper, ''Der Bote von Aalen'' ("The Herald of Aalen"), has been published on Wednesdays and Saturdays since 1837.<ref name="bauer145"/>

Currently, local newspapers published in Aalen are the ''[[Schwäbische Post]]'', which obtains its supra-regional pages from the Ulm-based [[Südwestpresse]], and the ''Aalener Nachrichten'' (erstwhile ''Aalener Volkszeitung''), a local edition of [[Schwäbische Zeitung]] in [[Leutkirch im Allgäu]].

Two of Germany's biggest [[Lesezirkel]]s (magazine rental services) are headquartered in Aalen: ''Brabandt LZ Plus Media'' and ''Lesezirkel Portal''.

Regional event magazines are ''Xaver'', ''åla'', ''ålakultur''.

The commercial broadcasters ''Radio Ton'' and ''Radio 7'' have studios in Aalen.

=== Education ===
A [[Latin school]] was first recorded in Aalen in 1447; it was remodeled in 1616 and also later in various buildings that were all situated near the town church, and continued up through the 19th century. In the course of the reformation, a "German school" was established in tandem, being a predecessor of the latter [[Volksschule]] school type. In 1860, the ''Ritterschule'' was built as a ''Volksschule'' for girls; the building today houses the ''Pestalozzischule''. In 1866, a new building was erected for the Latin school and for the [[Realschule]] established in 1840. This building, later known as the ''Alte Gewerbeschule'', was torn down in 1975 to free up land for the new town hall. In 1912, the ''Parkschule'' building was opened. It was designed by [[Paul Bonatz]] and today houses the ''Schubart-[[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]]''.

The biggest educational institution in the town is the ''[[Hochschule Aalen]]'', which was founded in 1962 and focuses on engineering and economics. It is attended by 5000 students on five campuses and employs 129 professors and 130 other lecturers.

The town provides three [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]]s, four [[Realschule]]n, two ''Förderschulen'' ([[special school]]s), six combined [[Grundschule]]n and [[Hauptschule]]n and eight standalone Grundschulen. The Ostalbkreis district provides three vocational schools and three additional special schools. Finally, six non-state schools of various types exist.

The German [[Esperanto]] Library (German: ''Deutsche Esperanto-Bibliothek'', Esperanto: ''Germana Esperanto-Biblioteko'') has been located in the building of the town library since 1989.

=== TV and radio transmission tower ===
The [[Südwestrundfunk]] broadcasting company operates the Aalen [[Transmitter|transmission tower]] on the ''Braunenberg'' hill. The tower was erected in 1956, it is {{convert|140|m|ft}} tall and made of [[reinforced concrete]].

=== Things named after Aalen ===
The following vehicles are named "Aalen":
* The [[Lufthansa]] [[Boeing 737-500]] ''D-ABJF''
* The [[Deutsche Bahn]] [[ICE 3]] ''Tz309'' (since 2 June 2008)<ref>{{harvnb|City of Aalen|2008a}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Lufthansa B737-530 (D-ABJF) landing at London Heathrow Airport.jpg|Boeing 737-500 "Aalen"
File:ICE Aalen.jpg|ICE "Aalen" at Aalen station
</gallery>

==Notable people==

[[File:Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart]], before 1804]]
[[File:P Sinner - Bischof Karl Joseph Hefele 1869 (GPh43).jpg|thumb|140px|[[Karl Joseph von Hefele]], 1869]]
[[File:Kurt Jooss.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Kurt Jooss]], 1971]]
* [[Johann Christoph von Westerstetten]] (1563–1637), [[Prince-bishop]] of [[Eichstätt]] and [[Counter-Reformation|counter-reformer]]
* [[Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart]] (1739–1791), poet, organ player, composer and journalist; lived in Aalen as a child and adolescent.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Schubart, Christian Friedrich Daniel |volume= 24 |page= 379 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Karl Joseph von Hefele]] (1809–1893), Roman Catholic theologian, clerical historian and bishop.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Hefele, Karl Josef von |volume= 13 |page= 200 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Stephan Jakob Neher]] (1829–1902), Catholic priest and church historian.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle= Stephan Jakob Neher |volume= 10 |page= |last= Kirsch |first= Johann Peter |author-link= Johann Peter Kirsch |year=1913|short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Rudolf Duala Manga Bell]] (1873–1914), King of [[Duala people|Duala]]<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Dualla |volume= 8 |page= 614 |short=1}}</ref> and resistance leader in the German colony of [[Kamerun]],<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Cameroon |volume= 5 |last= Cana |first= F.R. |author-link= |pages= 110-113 |short=1}}</ref> lived in Aalen from 1891 until 1896.
* [[Karl Wahl]] (1892–1981), [[Gauleiter]] of [[Gau Swabia]], [[Obergruppenführer]]
* [[Kurt Jooss]] (1901–1979), born in Wasseralfingen; dancer, choreographer and dance educator
* [[Georg Elser]] (1903–1945), opponent of Nazism, worked in 1923 as an apprentice carpenter in Aalen.
* [[August Zehender]] (1903–1945), SS Brigade Commander and Major General of the Waffen-SS
* [[Bruno Heck]] (1917–1989), politician (CDU), former minister of the government and CDU secretary general
* [[Hermann Bausinger]] (1926–2021), cultural scientist
* [[Hans Elsässer]] (1929–2003), astronomer and founding director of the [[Max Planck Institute for Astronomy]]
* [[Werner Sobek]] (born 1953), architect and [[structural engineer]]
* [[Gerhard Thiele]] (born 1953 in Heidenheim), physicist and former astronaut, attended school in Aalen.
* [[Angela Schanelec]] (born 1962), actress, film director and screenwriter
* [[Ulrich Spiesshofer]] (born 1964), business executive, former [[chief executive officer|CEO]] of the [[ABB]] Group
* [[:de:Martin Gerlach (Politiker)|Martin Gerlach, (DE Wiki)]] (born 1965), independent politician, mayor of Aalen (2005–2013)
* [[Steffen Schorn]] (born 1967), jazz musician & professor at the [[Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg]]
* [[Cro (rapper)|Carlo Waibel]] (born 1990), singer known as ''[[Cro (musician)|Cro]]'',  wears a panda mask on stage.

=== Sport ===
* [[Werner Bickelhaupt]] (born 1939), football coach, lives in Aalen since 2004, head coach for [[Eswatini national football team|Swaziland]] for 3 months in 2003
* [[Walter Adams (athlete)|Walter Adams]] (born 1945 in Wasseralfingen), middle-distance runner
* [[Thomas Zander (wrestler)|Thomas Zander]] (born 1967), wrestler, [[World Wrestling Championships|world champion]] in 1994 and silver medallist at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Carl-Uwe Steeb]] (born 1967), retired tennis player
* [[Erol Sabanov]] (born 1974), former football goalkeeper who played about 300 games
* [[Andreas Beck (footballer)|Andreas Beck]] (born 1987), footballer, immigrated aged 3, grew up in Aalen; played about 475 games and 9 for [[Germany national football team|Germany]]
* [[Patrick Funk]] (born 1990), footballer, played about 375 games
* [[Fabio Kaufmann]] (born 1992), footballer, played over 350 games

=== Honorary citizens ===
* [[Erwin Rommel]] (1891–1944), Field Marshal of World War II, grew up in Aalen
* Wilhelm Jakob Schweiker (1859–1927), founder of the Aalen Historical Society ''(Geschichts- und Altertumsverein Aalen'') and name giver of the Wilhelm Jakob Schweiker Award<ref name = GA/>
* [[Ulrich Pfeifle]], Mayor of Aalen from 1976 until 2005

==References==

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = Hermann | year = 2012 | orig-year = 1854 | title = Beschreibung des Oberamts Aalen |trans-title=Description of Oberamts Aalen | chapter = 7 | url = https://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Beschreibung_des_Oberamts_Aalen/Kapitel_A_7 | isbn = 978-1236340245 }}
* {{cite web | author = Aalen Historical Society | url = http://www.gav-aalen.de/index.php?id=6 | title = Im Rückspiegel | trans-title = In the Rear-view Mirror | publisher = Geschichts- und Altertumsverein Aalen [Aalen Historical and Antiquities Club] | access-date = 10 November 2013 | year = 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074712/http://www.gav-aalen.de/index.php?id=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web |year=2008 |publisher=City of Aalen: Department II: Stadtmessungsamt, Municipal Statistical Office |title=Statistisches Jahrbuch der Stadt Aalen 2007/2008 |trans-title=Statistical Yearbook of Aalen 2007/2008 |language=de |url=http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/statistisches_jahrbuch_2007-2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718195757/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/statistisches_jahrbuch_2007-2008.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | url = http://www.holidaycheck.de/klima-wetter_Aalen-ebene_oid-id_9059.html | title = Klimainformationen für Aalen | website = holidaycheck.de | year = 2013 |trans-title=Weather for Aalen | publisher = Hubert Burda Media |access-date= 10 November 2013 | language = de }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | url = http://aa-history.de/AA-30J_Krieg_Text.html | title = Aalen im dreißigjährigen Krieg |trans-title=Aalen in the Thirty Years War | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013a | publisher = aa-history | website = aa-history.de }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | website = moscheesuche.de | url = http://www.moscheesuche.de/moschee/Aalen/DITIB_Moschee_Aalen_Merkez_Camii/13311 | title = Deutschland, Baden-Württemberg, Aalen: D.I.T.I.B. Moschee Aalen (Merkez Camii) – Aalen | trans-title = Baden-Wurttemberg: Germany: Aalen DİTİB Aalen Mosque (Merkez Camii) – Aalen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013b | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075539/http://www.moscheesuche.de/moschee/Aalen/DITIB_Moschee_Aalen_Merkez_Camii/13311 | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | website = moscheesuche.de | url = http://www.moscheesuche.de/moschee/Aalen/Fatih_Moschee/13695 | title = Deutschland, Baden-Württemberg, Aalen: Fatih Moschee – Aalen | trans-title = Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Aalen: Fatih Mosque – Aalen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013c | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075425/http://www.moscheesuche.de/moschee/Aalen/Fatih_Moschee/13695 | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | website = feuerwehr-aalen.de | url = http://feuerwehr-aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=21534&_bereich=1598 | title = Herzlich Willkommen beim Spielmannszug Aalen |trans-title=Welcome to the marching band Aalen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013d }}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | title = Treff der Eisenbarths | trans-title = Meeting of the Eisenbarths | website = Ellwanger Zeitung | year = 2013e | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | url = http://www.eisenbarth-koeln.de/Eisenbarth-Presse.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074653/http://www.eisenbarth-koeln.de/Eisenbarth-Presse.html | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web | author = Anon | url = http://www.schwaebische.de/archiv-artikel_artikel,-Aalen-feiert-_arid,2098520.html | title = Aalen feiert |trans-title=Aalen Celebrates | website = Schwäbische Zeitung | year = 2007 | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075320/http://www.schwaebische.de/archiv-artikel_artikel%2C-Aalen-feiert-_arid%2C2098520.html | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite book | author = Anon | title = Braune Messe – Deutsche Woche, Aalen, Württemberg | language = de |trans-title=Brown Fair – German Week, Aalen, Württemberg | publisher = Stierlen | year = 1934 }}{{author missing}}
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = Karlheinz | title = Aalen: Geschichte und Kultur zwischen Welland und Härtsfeld |trans-title=Aalen history and culture between Welland and Härtsfeld | publisher = Theiss | place = Stuttgart, Germany | year = 1983 | isbn = 978-3806203219 | language = de }}
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = Karlheinz | editor = Geschichts- und Altertumsverein Aalen e.V. | chapter = Die Machtergreifung der NSDAP in Aalen und Umgebung [The Nazi seizure of power in and around Aalen] | title = Aalener Jahrbuch 1984 |trans-title=Aalen Yearbook 1984 | publisher = Theiss | location = Stuttgart, Germany | year = 1984 | isbn = 978-3806204063 | language = de }}
* {{Cite EB1911 | wstitle = Aalen | volume = 1 |page=2}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | last = Canby | first = Courtlandt | editor-last = Carruth | editor-first = Gorton | encyclopedia = The Encyclopedia of Historic Places | volume = I: A-L | publisher = Fact on File Publications | location = New York, NY | year = 1984 | isbn = 0-87196-126-1 | title = Aalen | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofhi0000canb }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/90/Jahresbericht2002_2.pdf | title = 2002 Annual Report | publisher = City of Aalen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2002 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121223071655/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/90/Jahresbericht2002_2.pdf | archive-date = 23 December 2012}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=13580&_bereich=6 | title = Bürgerfreundliches Verhalten |trans-title=Citizen-friendly behavior | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2004 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111090047/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=13580&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=71087&_bereich=1599 | title = Bilder der IX. Internationalen Römertage 2008 |trans-title=Pictures of IX. Romans International Conference | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2008 }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=67980&_bereich=6 | title = ICE auf den Namen Aalen getauft |trans-title=ICE Aalen Baptized in the Name of Aalen | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2008a }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=975&_bereich=6 | title = Religion |trans-title=Religion | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | year = 2010 | language = de }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=26094&_bereich=6 | title = Teilorte von Aalen | trans-title = Places part of Aalen | website = www.aalen.de | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013a | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100917161955/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=26094&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 17 September 2010 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1176&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Kernstadt | trans-title = Developing urban core population | year = 2013b | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718060726/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1176&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1177&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Unterrombach/Hofherrnweiler |trans-title=Population development Unterrombach / Hofherrnweiler | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013c | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111124907/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1177&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1171&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Dewangen | trans-title = Population development Dewangen | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013d | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718060824/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1171&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1178&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Ebnat |trans-title=Population development Ebnat | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013e | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111090036/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1178&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1172&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Fachsenfeld | trans-title = Population development Facsenfeld | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013f | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718061005/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1172&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1174&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Hofen | trans-title = Population development Hofen | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013g | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718061221/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1174&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1179&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Unterkochen | trans-title = Population development Unterkochen | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013h | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718061246/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1179&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1180&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Waldhausen | trans-title = Population development Waldhausen | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013i | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718061551/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1180&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1175&_bereich=6 | title = Einwohnerentwicklung Wasseralfingen | trans-title = Population development Wasseralfingen | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013j | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718061802/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1175&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=44429&_bereich=6 | title = Das Aalener Stadtgebiet in der Antike | trans-title = The Aalen City in Ancient Times | publisher = aalen.de | year = 2013k | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111080217/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=44429&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=24630&_bereich=6 | title = Stadt gedenkt der Opfer der Luftangriffe |trans-title=City commemorates the victims of the air raids | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013l }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2098&_bereich=6 | title = Städtepartnerschaftsverein Aalen e. V. |trans-title=Twinning association Aalen eV | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013m }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5491&_bereich=6 | title = Theater der Stadt Aalen |trans-title=Theatre of Aalen | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013n }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=6870&_bereich=6 | title = Schubart-Literaturpreis und Schubart-Literaturförderpreis der Stadt Aalen |trans-title=Schubart Literature Prize and Schubart Literature Prize of the city of Aalen | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013o }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=1189&_bereich=6 | title = Musikschule der Stadt Aalen |trans-title=Music School of Aalen | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013p }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?_bereich=6&id=1970 | title = Aalener Sinfonieorchester e. V. |trans-title=Symphony Aalen eV | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013q }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/Sehenswert.pdf | title = Aalen – Citybummel |trans-title=Aalen – City Stroll | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013r | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111124841/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/Sehenswert.pdf | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web|author=City of Aalen |url=http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=9436&_bereich=6 |title=Ostalb-Skilifte Aalen |trans-title=Ostalb Lifts Aalen |publisher=aalen.de |access-date=10 November 2013 |language=de |year=2013s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111084501/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=9436&_bereich=6 |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2796&_bereich=6 | title = Beschäftigte |trans-title=Employee | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013t }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2865&_bereich=6 | title = Berufspendler |trans-title=Commuters | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013u | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111090154/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2865&_bereich=6 | archive-date = 11 November 2013}}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5892&_bereich=6 | title = Unternehmen und Betriebe|trans-title=Companies and Businesses | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2013v }}
* {{cite web | author = City of Aalen | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/1991-2011.pdf | title = Meteorologische Größen in Aalen 1991 – 2011 | year = 2013w | publisher = Town of Aalen | access-date = 2 April 2012 | language = de | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121222162951/http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/media.php/93/1991-2011.pdf | archive-date = 22 December 2012}}{{full citation needed|date=November 2013}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Cohen | editor-first = Saul B. | encyclopedia = The Columbia Gazetteer of the World | title = Aalen | isbn = 0-231-11040-5 | publisher = Columbia University Press | location = New York, NY | year = 1998 }}
* {{cite book | first = Eugen | last = Hafner | title = Aalen, Der Stadtführer |trans-title=Aalen, the City Guide | publisher = Konrad Theiss Verlag GmbH & Co. | year = 1989 | isbn = 978-3806205848 | language = de }}
* {{cite web | author = Geschichtsverein Aalen (Historical Society of Aalen) | url = http://www.gav-aalen.de/index.php?id=14 | title = Preisträger | trans-title = Winners | publisher = Geschichts- und Altertumsverein Aalen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | year = 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074709/http://www.gav-aalen.de/index.php?id=14 | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Hoiberg | editor-first = Dale H. | encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica | title = Aalen | edition = 15th | year = 2010 | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. | volume = I: A-Ak – Bayes | location = Chicago, Illinois | isbn = 978-1-59339-837-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency }}
* {{cite web |publisher= LUBW State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg | title = Naturräume Baden-Württembergs |trans-title=Natural areas in Baden-Württemberg | language = de | year = 2010 | url = https://www.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/documents/10184/388195/naturraeume_baden_wuerttembergs.pdf/1f56a5c3-14b7-406f-9351-fdb0caa614af |ref={{SfnRef|LUBW State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2010}} }}
* {{cite book | last = Meier | first = Ernst | title = Deutsche Volksmärchen aus Schwaben: Aus dem Munde des Volks Gesammelt und Herausgegeben |trans-title=German folk tales from Swabia: Collected from the Mouths of the People and Issued | publisher = CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | location = North Charleston, SC | orig-year = 1852 | language = de | year = 2013 | isbn = 978-1482646412 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Munro | editor-first = David | title = Aalen | encyclopedia = The Oxford Dictionary of the World | year = 1995 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, UK | isbn = 0-19-866184-3 | url = https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00munr }}
* {{cite magazine | last = Nußbaumer | first = Wolfgang | title = Licht in ein dunkles Kapitel: 'Aalen in der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus 1934-1939' - Schwerpunkt des 'Aalener Jahrbuchs 2006-2008' | magazine = ostalb/einhorn | volume = 35 |issue = 140 | date = December 2008 | language = de |pages=297–298 }}
* {{cite web | author = OVA Bus Transport Aalen | url = http://www.ova.de/80jahre/historie.html | title = Historie |trans-title=History | website = OVA-Omnibus-Verkehr Aalen | language = de | access-date = 24 February 2014 | year = 2012 }}
* {{cite web | last = Pfeifle | first = Ulrich | url = http://www.aalen.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=21434&_bereich=6 | title = Letter from the Mayor | publisher = aalen.de | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2004 }}
* {{cite web |publisher= Press and Information Office of the Federal Government | url = http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_914476/Content/DE/Artikel/IB/Artikel/Geschichte/2009-05-19-demirtas.html | title = Wir sind einfach in den Zug gestiegen | trans-title = We just boarded the train | access-date = 10 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605085827/http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_914476/Content/DE/Artikel/IB/Artikel/Geschichte/2009-05-19-demirtas.html | archive-date = 5 June 2011 | url-status = dead|ref={{SfnRef|Press and Information Office of the Federal Government|2010}} }}
* {{cite book | last1 = Puvogel | first1 = Ulrike | last2 = Stankowski | first2 = Martin | last3 = Graf | first3 = Ursula | title = Gedenkstätten für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus: Eine Dokumentation |trans-title=Memorials to the victims of National Socialism: A Documentary | volume = 1 | publisher = Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung [Federal Agency for Civic Education] | location = Bonn, Germany | year = 1995 | isbn = 978-3893312085 | language = de }}
* {{cite web | last = Sauerborn | first = Ulrich | url = http://www.urweltmuseum-aalen.de/aalenium.html | title = Das Aalenium | trans-title = The Aalenian | publisher = Urweltmuseum Aalen | access-date = 9 November 2013 | language = de | year = 2002 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074624/http://www.urweltmuseum-aalen.de/aalenium.html | archive-date = 11 November 2013 | url-status = dead}}
* {{cite book | last = Schätzle | first = Julius | title = Stationen zur Hölle. Konzentrationslager in Baden und Württemberg 1933–1945 | edition = 2nd | publisher = Röderberg-Verlag | location = Frankfurt | year = 1980 | isbn = 978-3876820354 | language = de }}
* {{cite web|last=Simla |first=Stefan |url=http://www.kirchengemeinde-hofen.de/oldpage.php?menuID=4&page=Kirchengeb%26auml%3Bude%20-%20Hofen |title=Katholische Kirchengemeinde St. Georg Hofen: Kirchengebäude – Hofen |trans-title=Catholic church St. Georg Mayrhofen: Church buildings – Mayrhofen |publisher=Parish of St. Georg Mayrhofen |access-date=10 November 2013 |language=de |year=2005 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075352/http://www.kirchengemeinde-hofen.de/oldpage.php?menuID=4&page=Kirchengeb&auml%3Bude%20-%20Hofen |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}
* {{cite web|last=Simla |first=Stefan |url=http://www.kirchengemeinde-hofen.de/oldpage.php?page=Ottilienkapelle |title=Katholische Kirchengemeinde St. Georg Hofen: Ottilienkapelle |trans-title=Catholic church St. Georg Mayrhofen: Ottilie Chapel |publisher=Parish of St. Georg Mayrhofen |access-date=10 November 2013 |language=de |year=2005a |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075450/http://www.kirchengemeinde-hofen.de/oldpage.php?page=Ottilienkapelle |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www2.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/public/abt5/klimaatlas_bw/klima/karten/nied/niederschlag_jahr.html |title=Precipitation map of Baden-Württemberg |publisher=Landesamt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz: Baden-Württemberg [State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation] |language=de |year=2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111075441/http://www2.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/public/abt5/klimaatlas_bw/klima/karten/nied/niederschlag_jahr.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}
* {{cite web |publisher= State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg | url = http://www.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/is/11424/ | title = Schutzgebietsverzeichnis -Steckbriefauswahl | trans-title = Reserve List – Profile Section | language = de | year = 2013a | access-date = 24 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170729064524/http://www4.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/is/11424/ | archive-date = 29 July 2017 | url-status = dead|ref={{SfnRef|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013a}} }}
* {{cite web |publisher= State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg | url = http://rips-dienste.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/rips/ripsservices/apps/naturschutz/schutzgebiete/steckbrief.aspx?id=929001000184 | title = 1.023 Dellenhäule | language = de | year = 2013b | access-date = 24 February 2014|ref={{SfnRef|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013b}} }}
* {{cite web |publisher= State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg | url = http://rips-dienste.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/rips/ripsservices/apps/naturschutz/schutzgebiete/steckbrief.aspx?id=929001000029 | title = 1.245 Goldshöfer Sande | language = de| year = 2013c | access-date = 24 February 2014|ref={{SfnRef|State Institute for Environment, Measurements, and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg|2013c}} }}
* {{cite web | author = Taxpayers Association of Germany | url = http://www.steuerzahler.de/Home/1692b637/index.html | title = Bund der Steuerzahler | trans-title = Confederation of the taxpayers | publisher = Der Steuerzahler | year = 2007 | access-date = 11 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020045946/http://www.steuerzahler.de/Home/1692b637/index.html | archive-date = 20 October 2013 | url-status = dead}}{{page needed|date=July 2014}}
* {{cite web | author = Windpark Waldhausen | url = http://www.windparkwaldhausen.de/content-75-technische_daten.html | title = Technische Daten der Windkraftanlagen in Waldhausen |trans-title=Technical Data of Wind Turbines in Waldhausen | access-date = 10 November 2013 | publisher = Windpark Waldhausen | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219182017/http://www.windparkwaldhausen.de/content-75-technische_daten.html | archive-date = 19 December 2008 | url-status = live | year = 2013 }}
* {{cite book | editor-last = Winter | editor-first = Diethelm | title = Der Ostalbkreis |trans-title=The Ostalb | publisher = K. Theiss | location = Stuttgart, Germany | isbn = 978-3806208917 | edition = 2nd | year = 1992 | language = de | orig-year = 1978 }}

{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Citation |last=Hafner |first=Eugen | title=Aalen. Der Stadtführer | publisher=Süddeutsche Verlagsgesellschaft | place=Ulm | year=2001 | isbn=3-88294-310-6}}
* {{Citation |last=Bauer |first=Karlheinz | title=Aalen | publisher=Theiss | place=Stuttgart | year=1983 | isbn=3-8062-0321-0|ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.aalen.de/startseite.1.htm Town of Aalen's website]
* [http://www.gisserver.de/aalen/start.html Geographical information system of the town of Aalen] (in German)

{{Swabian League}}
{{Swabian Circle}}
{{Free Imperial Cities}}
{{Cities and towns in Ostalb (district)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Baden-Württemberg]]
[[Category:Ostalbkreis]]
[[Category:150s establishments in the Roman Empire]]
[[Category:260s disestablishments in the Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th century]]
[[Category:7th-century establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1360]]
[[Category:1360s establishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:1360 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 1800s]]
[[Category:1803 disestablishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Free imperial cities]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in Germany]]
[[Category:Aalenian| ]]