150 years of beekeeping in Donauwörth: A look at the world of bees!

150 years of beekeeping in Donauwörth: A look at the world of bees!

The history of beekeeping in Bavaria is as sweet as the honey itself. On February 5, 1875, the “Mertingen-Donauwörth Beekeepers’ Association” was founded in Mertingen. This club, whose name was later reduced to “Donauwoerth”, is celebrating its proud 150th anniversary this year. A lot has happened over the centuries, from the roots of beekeeping to modern beekeeping. A look at the biography of Kaspar Mayer in Swabia's Beekeepers' Album, written by Pastor Franz Xaver Schuster, documents the development of beekeeping in our district on 392 pages and introduces 114 dedicated beekeepers.

Bees, which have played a key role in pollination and thus in the preservation of many plant species for millions of years, show remarkable industriousness in their work. They not only help plants reproduce, but also offer the opportunity to observe their fascinating processes in the bee colony. These observations deepen the bond with the little winged helpers and show the importance of beekeeping, which is not only a skilled field of activity, but also represents a deep-rooted connection to nature beekeeper-Ansbach.

Beekeeping: A look into history

The tradition of beekeeping goes back to the beginning of human history. People have been known to be “honey hunters” as early as 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. Systematic beekeeping began around 7,000 years ago in central Anatolia, while in Ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. In the 1st century BC beekeeping experienced a real heyday - honey was considered the food of the gods. The medicinal importance of sweet gold was also recognized in ancient Greece, as evidenced by the writings of Aristotle and Virgil Wikipedia.

In Bavaria, beekeeping is also shaped by numerous events. Around 800 AD, Charlemagne ordered the establishment of beekeepers on his estates, laying a foundation for the development of beekeeping in the region. The first beekeeping organization, the Zeidler guild, was founded in the 14th century. This was the only supplier of beeswax and thus laid the foundation for today's beekeeping.

The change to modern beekeeping

Significant changes took place in the 19th century. While beekeeping initially took place in hollow tree trunks and later in log hives, a new era began with the introduction of box beekeeping. Discoveries such as bee spacing and movable wooden frames revolutionized beekeeping and enabled efficient honey harvesting Wikipedia.

The last few decades have been characterized by a change in the way mobility operates. The annual honey yield per colony has almost tripled, making beekeeping an increasingly attractive business. Despite the challenges presented by modern agriculture, more and more people are seeing beekeeping as a valuable way to connect with nature.

So we are heading forward with enthusiasm for the next decades of beekeeping, while appreciating the legacy of our ancestors and not losing sight of the important role of bees in our ecosystem. With the special day of the Donauwörth Beekeepers Association, we can proudly look back on 150 years of commitment, tradition and innovation - and look forward to the future!