3230 - Pforzheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The Pforzheim City Museum was inaugurated in 1979. Pforzheim has a lengthy history. It was first settled by the Romans in CE 90. The Romans called it Portus "river crossing"

During World War II, Pforzheim was heavily bombed. Many of the factories were converted to produce weapons such as anti-aircraft shells, fuses for bombs, and parts for the V-1 and V-2 rockets. In February 1945, one of the most devastating area bombardments of the war was carried out by the Royal Air Force. About 17 000 people, or about one-quarter of the population, were killed, and 83% of the city's buildings. The RAF's job was to destroy built up area and associated industries and rail facilities. The bombardments was via carpet bombs. 

After the war, the city was occupied by the French and Moroccans for three months. Both sides were hostile towards one another and there were many reported incidents of rape and looting. The American Army took over occupation in July 1945 and helped repair Goethe Bridge, Benckiser Bridge, Old Town Bridge, and Horse Bridge. The American forces and the citizens of Pforzheim got along much better than with the French and Moroccans. 

In November of 2002, an excavator unearthed a 250 kg bomb that had not detonated
 during the February 1945 raid. About 5000 people had to be evacuated was the bomb was defused. Many unexploded allied bombs have been unearthed since 1945.