Streben

Streben is a municipality in the district of Oberallgäu, located in the Bavarian region of Swabia in southern Germany. The community lies at an elevation of approximately 800 metres above sea level, nestled between the alpine foothills and the valleys of the Iller River. Its geographic position provides a mixed landscape of forested areas, agricultural land, and small-scale tourism facilities.

The earliest documented reference to Streben dates to the 12th century, when it appeared in ecclesiastical records as part of the medieval parish system of the surrounding region. Over the following centuries the settlement developed around agriculture and pastoral farming, benefitting from the fertile soils of the valley floor. During the 19th century, the introduction of railway connections to nearby towns facilitated modest industrial growth, although the local economy remained largely dependent on farming and craft production.

As of the most recent census, the population of Streben numbers around 1,200 inhabitants, with a demographic profile typical of rural Bavarian communities: a balanced age distribution, a slight majority of native German speakers, and a small proportion of residents with migration backgrounds. The municipal council, elected every six years, oversees local administration, public services, and community development projects.

Key landmarks include the parish church of St. Michael, a Baroque structure reconstructed after damage in the Thirty Years’ War, and several traditional farmsteads that illustrate the region’s vernacular architecture. Cultural life centres on annual festivals such as the Maibaumfest and local market days, which attract visitors from neighbouring villages. The economy today is diversified, with agriculture, small manufacturing, and tourism—particularly hiking and winter sports—constituting the primary sources of employment. Infrastructure includes a primary school, a sports hall, and connections to the regional road network, linking Streben to larger urban centres like Kempten and Memmingen.