Senftenberg

For other places with the same name, see Senftenberg (disambiguation).
Senftenberg

Market Square

Coat of arms
Senftenberg

Coordinates: 51°31′N 14°01′E / 51.517°N 14.017°ECoordinates: 51°31′N 14°01′E / 51.517°N 14.017°E
Country Germany
State Brandenburg
District Oberspreewald-Lausitz
Government
 • Mayor Andreas Fredrich (SPD)
Area
 • Total 126.94 km2 (49.01 sq mi)
Population (2012-12-31)[1]
 • Total 25,061
 • Density 200/km2 (510/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 01968
Dialling codes 03573
Vehicle registration OSL, CA, SFB
Website www.senftenberg.de

Senftenberg (Sorbian: Zły Komorow) is a town in southern Brandenburg, Germany, capital of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district.

Geography

Senftenberg is located in the southwest of the historic Lower Lusatia region at the border with Saxony. Its town centre is situated north of the river Black Elster and the artificial Senftenberger Lake, part of the Lusatian Lake District chain, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Hoyerswerda, and 35 kilometres (22 mi) southwest of Cottbus.

Senftenberg station is north of the centre and a major railway freight yard is located to its north-east, with a locomotive depot.

History

Historical affiliations

March of Lusatia 1279-1368
 Kingdom of Bohemia 1368-1448
 Electorate of Saxony 1448-1697
Poland-Saxony 1697-1706
 Electorate of Saxony 1706-1709
Poland-Saxony 1709-1763
 Electorate of Saxony 1763-1806
Kingdom of Saxony 1806-1815
 Kingdom of Prussia 1815-1871
 German Empire 1871-1918
 Weimar Republic 1918-1933
 Nazi Germany 1933-1945
 Allied-occupied Germany 1945-1949
 East Germany 1949–1990
 Germany 1990–present

Senftenberg was first mentioned in a 1279 deed issued by Henry III the Illustrious of Wettin, then Margrave of Lusatia. With Lower Lusatia, the settlement was acquired by the Kingdom of Bohemia under Charles IV of Luxembourg in 1368. Elector Frederick II of Saxony acquired Senftenberg in 1448, whereafter the area as a border stronghold of the House of Wettin was separated from Bohemian Lusatia, until in 1635 all Lusatian territories fell to Saxony by the Peace of Prague. According to the 1815 Congress of Vienna, Lower Lusatia was annexed by Prussia and incorporated into the Province of Brandenburg.

Names

International relations

Senftenberg is twinned with:

Tourism

Lake "Senftenberger See"

The Lake Senftenberger See is a popular destination for both day trips and holiday. In 1973, the former open cast mine, was officially opened to the public. Today, the lake is known for its excellent water quality. It is part of the socalled Lusatian Lakeland, a group of 23 artificial lakes. On sunny afternoons, many locals go for a bike trip around the lake on an 18 km paved cycle path, which is connected to a number of regional and national cycle paths. Around the lake, there are various housing options. (klick here)

The lakeside beach hotel on the northern shore offers a marvelous view onto the island in the middle of the lake. From here, it is just a walking distance to the very town center.

On the southern shore located in a forest right above a long sandy beach, the holiday resort "Family park Senftenberger See" is focused on families. It offers accommodation for about 2600 people. This resort also includes a well maintained camp site. It is localed in the area of Großkoschen.

An other big camp site is situated on the western shore in the area of Niemtsch. Both areas belong to the town of Senftenberg.

In summer, the passenger boat "Santa Barbara" offers regular service between the town center, Großkoschen and Niemtsch.

The aquatic sports center located close to the holiday resort in the area of Großkoschen offers - next to a bunch of activities - sailing boats for rent.

A beach close to the Beach hotel is well known for wind surfing. Equipment for rent is offered right on the beach. In 2010, the construction of the new marina was started. It will be located a stone's throw from the town center.

Nearby Attractions and Destinations

Demography

After the second half of the 19th century the inhabitants increased because of workers coming to Senftenberg to work in the coal mines. After the German Reunion, many inhabitants moved to the western part of Germany.

Developing of the number of inhabitants in Senftenberg from 1300 to 2007[2][3]
Year Inhabitants Year Inhabitants Year Inhabitants Year Inhabitants Year Inhabitants Year Inhabitants
1300 400 1858 1.517 1939 17.566 1989 31.580 1996 26.647 2003 29.474
1474 600 1867 1.638 1946 17.783 1990 29.622 1997 27.109 2004 29.136
1555 900 1875 2.847 1950 18.260 1991 28.840 1998 26.424 2005 28.774
1575 918 1890 5.134 1964 24.053 1992 28.470 1999 25.576 2006 28.071
1680 1.150 1910 13.742 1971 24.367 1993 28.123 2000 24.740 2007 27.515
1806 979 1925 17.472 1981 32.005 1994 27.637 2001 30.539 2012 25.061
1818 819 1933 17.803 1985 32.278 1995 27.336 2002 29.957 2013 24.987

Photogallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bevölkerung im Land Brandenburg nach amtsfreien Gemeinden, Ämtern und Gemeinden 31. Dezember 2012 (XLS-Datei; 83 KB) (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011)". Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (in German). 31 December 2012.
  2. ↑ Werner Forkert: Senftenberger Rückblicke Interessantes aus der Senftenberger Geschichte. Herausgeber Buchhandlung „Glück Auf“, 2006. (for data before the year 1875)
  3. ↑ Statistik Brandenburg: Data since 1875 (download as pdf, 330 kB)

External links

Media related to Senftenberg at Wikimedia Commons