Eckernförde

Eckernförde
Coat of arms
Eckernförde
Location of Eckernförde within Rendsburg-Eckernförde district
Coordinates: 54°28′27″N 9°50′16″E / 54.47417°N 9.83778°ECoordinates: 54°28′27″N 9°50′16″E / 54.47417°N 9.83778°E
Country	Germany
State	Schleswig-Holstein
District	Rendsburg-Eckernförde
Government
• Mayor	Jörg Sibbel
Area
• Total	17.97 km^2 (6.94 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)[1]
• Total	21,792
• Density	1,200/km^2 (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

• In 1197 Eckernförde was mentioned for the first time.
• Eckernförde was mentioned in the year 1302 for the first time free of doubts as a city, but in 1288 the inhabitants were already called oppidani (city citizen).
• During the First War of Schleswig two Danish ships, the Christian VIII and the frigate Gefion tried to land in Eckernförde in April 1849. They were cannonaded from the shore. The Christian VIII exploded, while the Gefion surrendered and was captured. Theodor Preusse, the commander in chief of the southern troops, died while rescuing Danish troops from the Christian VIII.
• The 13 November 1872 Baltic Sea flood hit the coast of the Baltic Sea from Denmark to Pomerania. Of all the German coastal settlements, Eckernförde was most heavily damaged due to its location on Eckernförde Bay which was wide open to the north-east. The entire town was flooded, 78 houses were destroyed, 138 damaged and 112 families became homeless.
• The Count Saint-Germain was buried in Eckernförde near the St. Nicolai Church. His grave was destroyed by the 1872 storm surge.
• In 1934 the seaside resort Borby was incorporated.
• After the Second World War a United Nations displaced persons camp for Estonians was located near Eckernförde,^[4] where a section of the Hohenstein mansion was converted into a maternity ward.^[5]

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:

• Macclesfield, England, United Kingdom (since 1953)
• Hässleholm, Scania, Sweden (since 1958)
• Tanga, Tanzania (since 1963)
• Nakskov, Region Sjælland, Denmark (since 1969)
• Brzeg, Opole Voivodeship, Poland (since 1989)
• Bützow, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany (since 1990)

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. Politikens Nudansk Ordbog, 1994 edition, entry "Eckernförde"
3. 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

• Official website (German)
• City map (German)
• Official tourist information (German)
• Eckernförder Zeitung (local newspaper (German)
•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Eckernförde". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Fare- and route planner (English)
• Petras mobile bike rental
• Bike rental Eckernfoerde