Mügeln

Mügeln

Coat of arms
Mügeln

Coordinates: 51°14′0″N 13°3′0″E / 51.23333°N 13.05000°E / 51.23333; 13.05000Coordinates: 51°14′0″N 13°3′0″E / 51.23333°N 13.05000°E / 51.23333; 13.05000
Country Germany
State Saxony
District Nordsachsen
Government
 • Mayor Gotthard Deuse (FDP)
Area
 • Total 54.95 km2 (21.22 sq mi)
Elevation 157 m (515 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)[1]
 • Total 6,071
 • Density 110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 04769
Dialling codes 034362
Vehicle registration TDO
Website www.stadt-muegeln.de

Mügeln is a town in the district Nordsachsen, in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is located 9 km southwest of Oschatz and 14 km northwest of Döbeln. The town has a population of approximately 4700 people.

Geography

Mügeln lies almost equidistant between Leipzig and Dresden at a distance of approximately 50 km from each town. Mügeln is not directly situated on any main traffic routes, but 10 km south of Mügeln one encounters the A14 motorway, and 10 km to the north one encounters the B6 federal highway, close to Oschatz. In addition, there is a tourist narrow gauge railway, the Wild Robert (Wilder Robert)[2] which is operated by the Döllnitzbahn company as one of its attractions. The nearest railway station is in Oschatz.

The comparatively flat countryside around Mügeln is mostly used for agriculture, and comprises moderately large fields for the growing of crops. A number of man-made lakes are an occasional feature, the largest of which is situated in and around a forested area of some 30 km/sq, less than 7.0 km to the north-west. The forested area effectively surrounds the neighbouring village of Wermsdorf on all sides except the south which faces towards Mügeln. Wermsdorf has a quarry to the north-east of its boundary, and well maintained historical buildings to visit.

History

The first historical record of Mügeln is in a document of 984 AD. The population was predominantly Sorbian at that time. In 1064, Mügeln came into the possession of the Bishop of Meissen, and in 1256 Mügeln was awarded the right to hold a market.

Mügeln mob attack

On August 19, 2007, eight Indian citizens were chased through the town and beaten. The assailants were a large group of predominantly German youths. The incident received worldwide media attention, which was particularly disturbing and unwelcome because of the participation of some of the public in what could be rightly compared to little better than spectators seeking entertainment by encouraging the assailants to continue their assault.[3]

The incident occurred during a town celebration in Mügeln, and although the motives were never ascertained, racism is thought to be at the root of the trouble. One of the victims has accused the police of brutality. A preliminary investigation has been launched against two of those believed to be responsible for the assault, and the German Federal Government has vowed to increase its efforts to thwart right-wing extremism.[4]

Twin towns

Mügeln is twinned with:

Personalities

Sites of interest

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Aktuelle Einwohnerzahlen nach Gemeinden 2015] (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011)" (PDF). Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen (in German). July 2016.
  2. ↑ This is a typical German name for an old train. In this sense 'wild' means 'stormy'.
  3. ↑ 'Foreigners Out!': Racist Manhunt in Small-Town Germany
  4. ↑ In Wake of Racist Attacks in Mügeln: Germany Wonders How to Stop the Neo-Nazis
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