Lüdenscheid, city (1994 pop. 80,280), North Rhine-Westphalia, W Germany. It is an industrial center; manufactures include aluminum, metal products, plastics, and synthetics. Lüdenscheid was chartered in 1287 and later was a member of the Hanseatic League. Noteworthy buildings include Neuenhof (1694), a moated castle.

Lüdenscheid is a town in the Märkischer Kreis district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the Sauerland region. Lüdenscheid is seat of the administration of the Märkischer Kreis district. However, the county council meets in the county hall in Iserlohn.

History

While first settlement in the Lüdenscheid area is confirmed for the 9th century, the first mention of the city was made in 1268. In the 15th and 16th century Lüdenscheid was a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1815 it became part of the Province of Westphalia, and 1975, with the creation of the Märkischer Kreis, became seat of its administration.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms shows Saint Medardus as the patron of the city. Below it has the red-and-white checked fess from the arms of the Counts of the Mark. The city wall at the bottom denotes the city rights that Lüdenscheid received in 1287.

Sports

Lüdenscheid-Nord is a mockery name of the football club Borussia Dortmund, most commonly used by the fans of FC Schalke 04. The real football club Rot-Weiß Lüdenscheid is playing in the Verbandsliga, the fourth level below the Bundesliga, but did play once in the second Bundesliga in 1977/78.

Twin towns

• Brighouse, United Kingdom since 1950/1983
• Den Helder, Netherlands since 1980
• Leuven, Belgium since 1987
• Myślenice, Poland since 1989
• Romilly-sur-Seine, France since 1991
• Taganrog, Russia since 1991
• Town and district Kłodzko, Poland

Persons of interest

• Bernd Bobbenkamp, musician

Media

One of Lüdenscheid's newspaper is the Lüdenscheider Nachrichten with its Süderländer Volksfreund.

External links

• Official site
• Official site