Lüdenscheid

Lüdenscheid
Town
The town hall in Lüdenscheid
The town hall in Lüdenscheid
Coat of arms of Lüdenscheid
Coat of arms
Location of Lüdenscheid within Märkischer Kreis district
Lüdenscheid is located in Germany
Lüdenscheid
Lüdenscheid
Lüdenscheid is located in North Rhine-Westphalia
Lüdenscheid
Lüdenscheid
Coordinates: 51°13′N 07°38′E / 51.217°N 7.633°E / 51.217; 7.633
CountryGermany
StateNorth Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. regionArnsberg
DistrictMärkischer Kreis
Government
 • Mayor (2020–25) Sebastian Wagemeyer[1] (SPD)
Area
 • Total86.73 km2 (33.49 sq mi)
Highest elevation
539 m (1,768 ft)
Lowest elevation
232 m (761 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total71,865
 • Density830/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
58507–58515
Dialling codes02351
Vehicle registrationMK, LÜD, LS
Websitewww.luedenscheid.de

Lüdenscheid is a big town in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It is located in the west of the Sauerland region. It is 86.73 km² and about 72,000 people live there. The mayor of Lüdenscheid is Sebastian Wagemeyer.

History

The first people lived in the Lüdenscheid area around 900 AD. It became a city in 1268.

In the Middle Ages, Lüdenscheid became an important industrial city with many factories. People in Lüdenscheid often worked with metal. They produced buttons and wires. This was very dangerous for the city because they worked with fire. Lüdenscheid was badly damaged by fires in 1530, 1578, 1589, 1656, 1681 and 1723. Lots of buildings burned down and many people were hurt.

Later, many people also worked in the plastics industry.

Geography and climate

Lüdenscheid is located between the rivers Lenne and Volme. There are many mountains and water reservoirs.

The summers are usually comfortable with an average of 20° and the winters are cold with some snow. There is often a lot of rain.

Sights and famous places

Lüdenscheid has a beautiful historic city centre. One of the oldest buildings is the Church of the Redeemer (Erlöserkirche) in the city centre. Its tower was built around 1100. The library was opened in 1857 and is one of the oldest libraries in Germany. Today you can check out books, DVDs, BluRays, CDs, games and other things.

Lüdenscheid has many museums. The most famous museum is the Phänomenta. It is a science museum which shows many interesting inventions. People can do some of the experiments themselves.

Lüdenscheid's most famous park is the Stadtpark, which was created in 1888. There are forests and there is an outdoor stage. You can go to concerts there.

Culture and activities

There are many possibilities to spend you free time in Lüdenscheid. You can watch theatre plays, musicals, operas and concerts in the Kulturhaus or watch a movie in the cinema.

The Sterncenter, Lüdenscheid's famous shopping centre, has almost 100 shops and restaurants.

Twin towns

Lüdenscheid is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ Wahlergebnisse in NRW Kommunalwahlen 2020, Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, accessed 21 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "Bevölkerung der Gemeinden Nordrhein-Westfalens am 31. Dezember 2022 – Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes auf Basis des Zensus vom 9. Mai 2011" (in German). Landesbetrieb Information und Technik NRW. Retrieved 20 June 2023.

Other websites

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lüdenscheid.