Bodenwerder

Bodenwerder

Coat of arms
Bodenwerder

Coordinates: 51°58′N 9°31′E / 51.967°N 9.517°E / 51.967; 9.517Coordinates: 51°58′N 9°31′E / 51.967°N 9.517°E / 51.967; 9.517
Country Germany
State Lower Saxony
District Holzminden
Municipal assoc. Bodenwerder-Polle
Government
  Mayor Elke Perdacher (SPD)
Area
  Total 28.92 km2 (11.17 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)[1]
  Total 5,621
  Density 190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 37619
Dialling codes 05533
Vehicle registration HOL
Website www.bodenwerder.de

The Münchhausenstadt Bodenwerder is a municipality in Holzminden district, Lower Saxony, Germany. It lies on the river Weser and is best known as the birthplace and residence of Baron von Münchhausen.

Geography

Bodenwerder is located in the Holzminden district, Lower Saxony, Germany. It lies on the river Weser, upstream from Hamelin, at a point where the river has carved a gap in the hills.

History

The settlement was first granted the status of a town in 1287 by Ritter Heinrich II von Homburg. There was already an important bridge over the river here in 1289, which connected Hameln-Paderborn to Einbeck-Frankfurt. Around 1340 one of the Homburg Bodos was Lord of the Manor and originated a planned town with walls and towers. From him derives the town's name, which means "Bodo's Eyot".

In 1750, Baron Münchhausen, who was born in Bodenwerder, retired to his estate here and told his famous stories to his friends. He died in 1797 and is buried here. His house was acquired by the town in 1935 and was used as the town hall; a room containing a Münchhausen museum was added.

Arts and culture

The Münchhausen prize for entertainment is awarded in May each year.

Attractions

The Münchhausen museum and monument as well as his grave in the monastery church of Kloster Kemnade are notable tourist attractions. There is also a Gothic church, St. Nicolai. The town is surrounded by the remains of medieval fortifications.

Government

Bodenwerder is also the seat of the Samtgemeinde ("collective municipality") Bodenwerder-Polle.

Notable people

References

External links

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This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, January 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.