Warendorf
Warendorf | |
---|---|
Location of Warendorf within Warendorf district | |
Coordinates: 51°57′14″N 7°59′36″E / 51.95389°N 7.99333°E | |
Country | Germany |
State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
Admin. region | Münster |
District | Warendorf |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–25) | Peter Horstmann[1] |
Area | |
• Total | 176.75 km2 (68.24 sq mi) |
Elevation | 57 m (187 ft) |
Population (2021-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 37,146 |
• Density | 210/km2 (540/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Postal codes | 48231 |
Dialling codes | 02581 |
Vehicle registration | WAF, BE |
Website | www.warendorf.de |
Warendorf (German pronunciation: [ˈvaːʁənˌdɔʁf] ⓘ, Westphalian: Warnduorp) is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and capital of Warendorf District.
The town is best known today for its well-preserved medieval town centre, for
History
The origin and name Warendorf date back to the ancient Saxon royal court of Warintharpa (“the village on the embankment”), which was most likely already formed in 700 BC. Between the years of 1197 and 1201 Warendorf became a town. During this time, among the already established parish, which belonged to the “old church” (St. Laurentius), a new, second parish with the “new church” (Marienkirche) was formed just west of the town centre. The medieval records of the founding of Warendorf are missing, along with several records and documents in Münster. These were all destroyed during the rule under the
In 1224 the first recorded mention of Warendorf as a civitas, which is a civil and municipal community, was made. The wealth of Warendorf grew increasingly and developed more and more into an important trading town, since it is situated favourably between Münster and Oelde. Apart from that Warendorf profited from the production and selling of linen. The wealthy citizens settled on the market square and in the streets, Emsstrasse and Oststrasse. Still today these areas of the town are most prominent in the townscape of Warendorf. In contrast, the poorer part of population lived in simple houses with dirt floors. These bad living conditions lead to the epidemics and illnesses.
In 1404 there was a great fire in Warendorf, during which along with 600 houses also the “old church” (St. Laurentius) and the town hall with all its inventory were destroyed.
In 1533 the
Between 1627 and 1632 loss of the town rights occurred during religious battles of the Thirty Years' War. The first mention of the “Fettmarkt” dates back to 1657. This event remained an important funfair with a flea market and livestock market still today. In 1741 another great fire broke out, which resulted in the destruction of the “new church” (Marienkirche) and 332 houses. Because many tradesmen had to move further, and so Warendorf suffered economic loss.
In 1802 Warendorf came under the Prussian sovereignty. The once blossoming town impoverished. In 1826 the establishment of the Westphalian state stud farm in Warendorf was succeeded by the Prussian stud administration. In 1887 the railroad line Münster – Warendorf – Rheda-Wiedenbrück was opened. In 1937 barracks were built just north of Warendorf. Today, the sport school of the German army is also located in these barracks. On 1 January 1975, a reformation of the municipalities was carried out. This reformation integrated the communities of Einen and Milte, and the town of Freckenhorst into the town of Warendorf. Also during this reformation, the larger district of Warendorf (district) was formed by combining the districts of Warendorf and Beckum. Warendorf became seat of the district government.
Geography
Warendorf is situated on the
The closest large city is Münster, which is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Warendorf. Other large cities in the area are Osnabrück, approx. 40 kilometres (25 miles) to the north, Bielefeld, approx. 45 kilometres (28 miles) to the east, and Hamm, approx. 35 kilometres (22 miles) to the south.
Component localities
Warendorf consists of 6 component localities:
- Warendorf
- Einen
- Müssingen
- Freckenhorst
- Hoetmar
- Milte
Arts and culture
Warendorf has hosted several international events, such as the world
Sports
North Rhine-Westphalia's "Landgestüt" (stud farm) and the National Olympic Committee for horse-riding are both located in Warendorf.
The Bundeswehr Sports School, the German armed forces physical education center, is also located in Warendorf.
Education
Notable people
- Bernhard Sprengel (1899–1985), chocolate manufacturer and art patron (Sprengel Museum, Hannover)
- Elisabeth Grümmer (1911–1986), soprano, died in Warendorf
- Paul Spiegel (1937–2006), former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany
- Andreas Ridder (born 1964), footballer
- Klaus Welle (born 1964), General secretary of the EU Parliament
- Maximilian Schulze Niehues (born 1988), footballer
Twin towns – sister cities
- Barentin, France
- Pavilly, France
- Oleśnica, Poland
- Petersfield, England, United Kingdom
Neighbouring communities
References
- ^ Wahlergebnisse in NRW Kommunalwahlen 2020, Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, accessed 30 June 2021.
- Landesbetrieb Information und Technik NRW. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ISBN 3-87023-179-3, Seiten 304–308
- ISBN 3-87023-179-3, Seiten 351–358
- ^ "Partnerstädte & europäische Beziehungen". warendorf.de (in German). Warendorf. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
External links
- Official website (in German)