Origin of the Mathematical Research Institute Oberwolfach at the Countryseat ‘Lorenzenhof’

Abstract

During the first decade of its existence, when its location in the Black Forest was not yet a definite decision and it seemed in no way essentially attached to geography, the mathematicians called their Institute simply by the name of the house, “Lorenzenhof.” “Hof,” meaning “court” in the simplest and in the highest sense of the word, appealed to their different tastes. The name originally belonged to the farm in the valley below, where there is a sawmill now. The big house that was built above on Lorenzenhof farm territory used to be called just “Little Castle” or the “Villa” by the village people. Other farms roundabout might not have offered a suitable name, diminutive forms of peasants’ Christian names mostly being used to designate the farm. But “Lorenzenhof” just happened to sound dignified and vague enough for the name to be accepted as an inheritance from the valley farm.