Werne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Country | Germany |
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Administrative region | Arnsberg |
| District | Unna |
| Population | 31,900 (2005) |
| Area | 76.03 km² |
| Population density | 418 /km² |
| Elevation | 52-104 m |
| Coordinates | 51°40′ N 7°37′ E |
| Postal code | 59368 |
| Area code | 02389 |
| Licence plate code | UN |
| Mayor | Rainer Tappe (SPD) |
| Website | werne.de |
Werne is a town in the Federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the Unna district in Germany. It is located on the southern edge of the Münsterland region near the Ruhrgebiet. The population of Werne is about 32,000.
[edit] History
c800: Liudger, the first Bishop of Münster, built a chapel in Werne and founded the first parish.
834: Werne was mentioned in an official document for the first time.
1253: An alliance was made between Münster, Dortmund, Soest and Lippstadt to defend their rights in relation to a bridge over the Lippe river in Werne (the "Werner Bund").
1400: Count Adolf of the Mark burned the city to the ground. From 1415 the city was fortified with walls, towers and gates.
1512–61: The town hall was built.
1618–1648 (Thirty Years' War): Werne was occupied, looted and burned down several times.
1636/37: Pestilence in Werne - 313 of about 1,000 inhabitants died.
1779: Parts of the city-wall and some of the towers were pulled down.
1815: Werne became a province of Prussia.
1843: "Neutor", the last city-gate, was pulled down.
1873/74: During searches for coal, a brine-spring was discovered. A swimming bath with brine was established.
1899: A coal-mine ("Zeche Werne") was established in Werne.
1928: The railway line Münster - Werne - Dortmund was opened.
1939 - 1945 (World War II): 471 citizens of Werne died and another 500 disappeared without trace. The town accommodated nearly 4,000 refugees.
1975: The coal-mine was closed.
[edit] Twin-Towns
- Bailleul, France since 1968
- Lytham St. Annes, England since 1984
- Kyritz, Brandenburg since 1990
- Walcz, Poland since 1992
- Poggibonsi, Italy since 2000
