Woltersdorf, Brandenburg

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Woltersdorf
New commune center with the town hall in the background
New commune center with the town hall in the background
Coat of arms Location
Woltersdorf has no coat of arms
Woltersdorf, Brandenburg (Germany)
Woltersdorf, Brandenburg
Administration
Country Flag of Germany Germany
State Brandenburg
District Oder-Spree
Mayor Wolfgang Höhne (Ind.)
Basic statistics
Area 9.12 km² (3.5 sq mi)
Elevation 50 m  (164 ft)
Population 7,621  (30/06/2006)
 - Density 836 /km² (2,164 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate LOS
Postal code 15569
Area code 03362
Website woltersdorf-schleuse.de
Location of Woltersdorf within Oder-Spree district
Map

Coordinates: 52°26′52″N 13°45′26″E / 52.44778, 13.75722

Woltersdorf is a commune in the Oder-Spree district in Brandenburg. To differ it from other communes named the same, often "near Berlin" (German: "bei Berlin") or "near Erkner" (German: "bei Erkner") is added.

Contents

[edit] Geography

The commune is located at the three lakes Flakensee, Kalksee and the Bauernsee, between Schöneiche, the Berlin forest and Erkner. A neighborhood commune is also Rüdersdorf. Beside its touristic relevance, Woltesdorf is also known for its "unique educational conception" (newspaper "Neue Zürcher Zeitung", 2006-08-07).

[edit] Bordering communes

Woltersdorf borders (in clockwise direction, starting in north) on Rüdersdorf, Erkner, Berlin and Schöneiche.

[edit] History

  • About 1240 14 farmer families settled on a bank. Today the church, the city hall and the "old school" (German "alte Schule") are located here, representing the Woltersdorf "downtown". The first residents were farmers and mariners.
  • In 1319 Woltersdorf was documented first as Waltersdorf slawika. Waltersdorf means "the village from Walter".
  • For the first time Woltersdorf was noted 1375 in the "Landbuch". Together with Rahnsdorf, it had to pay taxes for the castle of Köpenick.
  • In 1487 Berlin acquires Woltersdorf.
  • In 1550 a lock was built between the Flakensee and the Kalksee.
  • In 1550 the first church of Woltersdorf was built up.
  • From 1618 till 1648 Woltesdorf was desolated (Thirty Years' War) and temporarily uninhabitated.
  • About 1886 a touristic observation tower is built on top of the Kranichsberge. Its grants a great perspective from a height of 105 meters. At clear days you are able to see the Berliner Fernsehturm. In the inside of the tower you can visit the exhibition "When Woltersdorf still was Hollywood" (German "Als Woltersdorf noch Hollywood war"). It recalls the 1920s, where Joe May shoot famous movies (Das indische Grabmal (1920), Herrin der Welt (1919) and Der Tiger von Eschnapur). Today you are able to find leavings of the movie scenery near the see.
  • At the end of the 19th century the rail from Berlin to the east was finished. In the bordering commune of Woltersdorf, Erkner, a train station was built. Many Berlin people had their summer residence in Woltersdorf.
  • Since 1913 a tramway between the lock and the S-Bahn station of Rahnsdorf was arranged.

[edit] Population

Since the German reunification (4.790 people) there were many moving to Woltersdorf. The population of Woltersdorf rose from 6.800 (2001) to 7.390 (2003). Today Woltersdorf is the youngest commune in the Oder-Spree district: More than 12% of the population is younger than 15 years.

[edit] Politics

The City Council contains 18 members.

(Election from 2003-08-26)

[edit] Famous Persons

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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Towns and municipalities in Oder-Spree
Coat of Arms of Oder-Spree district