Eckernförde

Eckernförde
Eckernförde
Location of the town of Eckernförde within Rendsburg-Eckernförde district
Coordinates	54°28′27″N 9°50′16″E
Administration
Country	Germany
State	Schleswig-Holstein
District	Rendsburg-Eckernförde
Mayor	Jörg Sibbel
Basic statistics
Area	17.97 km2 (6.94 sq mi)
Elevation	0 - 42 m
Population	22,614 (31 December 2010)
- Density	1,258 /km2 (3,259 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate	RD
Postal code	24340
Area code	04351
Website	www.eckernfoerde.de

Eckernförde (Danish: Egernførde, sometimes also Egernfjord, Low German: Eckernför, sometimes also Eckernföör) is a German city in Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde at the Baltic Sea near Kiel. The population is about 23,000.

All German submarines are stationed in Eckernförde.

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. In 1441, the town used an official seal listing its name as Eherneborgh. The first syllable corresponds to the modern Danish word "egern" meaning squirrel while "-förde" is Low German meaning fjord. The -förde ending is documented in Latinized form on two official seals used by the town in the 1602 and 1624. 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 great storm tide on 13 November 1872 hit the Coast of the Baltic Sea from Denmark to Pomerania and flooded Eckernförde for days
• The Count Saint-Germain is supposed to be buried in Eckernförde near the St.-Nicolai-Church. His grave was destroyed by the great storm tide on 13 November 1872.
• In 1934 the seaside resort Borby was incorporated.

Economy

Eckernförde is the home of BEHN, an alcoholic beverage family company, founded in 1792.

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.

International relations

Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

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)

External links

• Official homepage of Eckernförde (German)
• Official tourist information (German)
• Eckernförder Zeitung (local newspaper, German)
•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Eckernförde". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.