Woltersdorf, Brandenburg

Woltersdorf is a municipality in the Oder-Spree district in Brandenburg. It is often referred to as "near Berlin" (German: "bei Berlin") or "near Erkner" (German: "bei Erkner") as there are a number of other places bearing the same name in Germany.

Geography

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

Bordering municipalities

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

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 built.

Population

At the time of the German reunification 4,790 people lived in Woltersdorf. Since. the population of Woltersdorf has risen from 6,800 (2001) to 8,000 (2010). Today, Woltersdorf is the youngest commune in the Oder-Spree district: More than 12% of the population is younger than 15 years.

Politics

The City Council has 18 members, one however has not accepted his seat which remains vacant.

• CDU: 4
• SPD: 3
• Linkspartei: 4
• Grüne: 1
• FDP: 1
• WBF (Woltersdorf Citizens' Forum): 3
• NPD: 1

(Election 2008)

Famous Persons

• Politician Regine Hildebrandt
• Painter und Illustrator Fidus
• Footballer Bodo Rudwaleit
• Entertainer Dagmar Frederic
• Founder of the Wilhelmsbad Woltersdorf, Dr.med. Alfred Pritzel
• Musician Chris Corner (founding member and former lead singer of Sneaker Pimps, currently involved in the IAMX project)
• Architect Friedrich Heinrich Stöckhardt

References

External links

• Website of the village of Woltersdorf (German)
• tram in Woltersdorf