Saint Walpurga
Heidenheim was first mentioned in the year 742. During that time the double monastery of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm (housing monks and nuns), was founded by Saint Willibald and was later led by Saint Walpurga who became abbess after his death. Secular power was represented by the Earl of Truhendingen (Altentrühdingen), later Duke of Bavaria, burgrave of Nuremberg (Hohenzollern). After that, Heidenheim belonged to the Margrave of Ansbach. Due to the Reformation, the monastery was closed in 1537. Since then Heidenheim is mostly Lutheran.