Eckernförde

Eckernförde

Coat of arms
Eckernförde

Coordinates: 54°28′27″N 9°50′16″E / 54.47417°N 9.83778°E / 54.47417; 9.83778Coordinates: 54°28′27″N 9°50′16″E / 54.47417°N 9.83778°E / 54.47417; 9.83778
Country Germany
State Schleswig-Holstein
District Rendsburg-Eckernförde
Government
  Mayor Jörg Sibbel
Area
  Total 17.97 km2 (6.94 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)[1]
  Total 21,792
  Density 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 24340
Dialling codes 04351
Vehicle registration ECK
Website www.eckernfoerde.de
View on Borby, the harbor and historical town centre

Eckernförde (Danish: Egernførde, sometimes also Egernfjord, Low German: Eckernför, sometimes also Eckernföör) is a German town in Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde, on the coast of the Baltic Sea approximately 30 km north-west of Kiel. The population is about 23,000. Eckernförde is a popular tourist destination in northern Germany.

Name

The name of Eckernförde is of mixed origin, but derived from the name of a Danish castle formerly located near the current town, which is also reflected in the name of the town district of Borby. This fortification is listed in the 13th century Liber Census Daniæ as Ykærnæburgh.[2] In 1441, the town used an official seal listing its name as Eherneborgh.[3] The first syllable corresponds to the modern Danish word "egern" meaning squirrel while "-förde" is Low German meaning fjord.[2] The -förde ending is documented in Latinized form on two official seals used by the town in the 1602 and 1624.[3] The etymology of the town's name is reflected in the presence of a squirrel in the town's coat of arms, a feature first documented by the 1441 seal.

History

Economy

In the early 20th century, Eckernförde was known for its harbour, fishing, trade in agricultural products, and manufacture of salt and iron goods.[6]

All German Navy submarines are stationed in Eckernförde. It is the home of BEHN, an alcoholic beverage family company, founded in 1792. The headquarters of SIG Sauer are also located there.

Education

Schools in the city include the Richard-Vosgerau-Schule. The Richard Vosgerau School is a public elementary school in Eckernförde. The address is 26 Bergstraße, 24340 Eckernförde. The current head of the school is Mrs. Koepke. The school building consists of a white main house and a small outbuilding. Also to find are a football field and a sports hall. In the schoolyard, the school children enjoy various activities, ranging from slides to climbing.

Transport

The Kiel–Flensburg railway runs through the town with trains stopping at Eckernförde station, situated to the west of the town centre. The town's main bus station, central omnibus station (German: ZOB), is directly connected to the train station. The operating company of the railway network is Deutsche Bahn. Eckernförde has 4 bus routes for urban connections operated by single-deck buses. Eckernförde has no trams or trolley-buses. For transportation, the statewide Schleswig-Holstein-fare applies. At the bus station is also a taxi stand located. In Eckernförde are two bike rental outlets, one is located near the beach and one is in the pedestrian area.

Next international Airport is Hamburg Airport.

Gastronomy

The people of Eckernförde are particularly known for their fondness for ice-cream, which they often enjoy by the seaside on warm Summer's days.

International relations

Eckernförde is twinned with:

References

  1. "Statistikamt Nord – Bevölkerung der Gemeinden in Schleswig-Holstein 4. Quartal 2013] (XLS-Datei) (Fortschreibung auf Basis des Zensus 2011)". Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein (in German). 25 July 2013.
  2. 1 2 Politikens Nudansk Ordbog, 1994 edition, entry "Eckernförde"
  3. 1 2 Poul Bredo Grandjean (1953), Slesvigske Købstæders og Herreders Segl indtil 1660, J.H. Schultz Forlag, p. 13-14.
  4. Elle Andra-Warner (nee Jürivee), Red Lake Immigration story (Accessed: 26 June 2013)
  5. Andra-Warner, Elle But When Do You Know You Are Canadian? (Accessed: 26 June 2013)
  6. Chisholm, Hugh (ed) (1911)

External links

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