Riesa

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Riesa
Coat of arms Location
Coat of arms of Riesa
Riesa (Germany)
Riesa
Administration
Country Flag of Germany Germany
State Saxony
Admin. region Dresden
District Riesa-Großenhain
Town subdivisions 16
Mayor Gerti Töpfer
Basic statistics
Area 58.70 km² (22.7 sq mi)
Elevation 109 m  (358 ft)
Population 36,140  (31/12/2006)
 - Density 616 /km² (1,595 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate RG
Postal codes 01587, 01589, 01591, 01594
Area code 03525
Website www.riesa.de

Coordinates: 51°18′29″N 13°17′38″E / 51.30806, 13.29389

Riesa is a town in the district Riesa-Großenhain in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is located at the river Elbe, approx. 40 km northwest of Dresden.

The world's first 110 kV power line was inaugurated between Riesa and Lauchhammer in 1912.

Riesa has a 25m tall iron sculpture of an oak trunk, named "Elbquelle", by Jörg Immendorff. There are many other names for the Elbquelle, for example "Rostige Eiche", which means "rusty oak". Many inhabitants of Riesa call the sculpture "Rostige Eiche", because it looks rusty.

Riesa is also known for the Erdgasarena, a large hall which hosted the European Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2003 and the World Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2004.

Riesa is well-known for its pasta, which is produced in the Teigwaren Fabrik Riesa . Another symbol of Riesa are the "Riesaer Zündhölzer", the matches which were traditionally manufactured there.

Notable people from Riesa include the former footballer Ulf Kirsten. Riesa has a football club, TSV Stahl Riesa. The club's crest is blue and white, as are the club colours.

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