Emmerich am Rhein

Infobox German Location
Art = Stadt
Name = Emmerich
Wappen = Emmerich am Rhein-Wappen.pnglat_deg = 51 |lat_min = 50 |lat_sec = 6
lon_deg = 6 |lon_min = 14 |lon_sec = 43
Bundesland = Nordrhein-Westfalen
Regierungsbezirk = Düsseldorf
Kreis = Kleve
Höhe = 15
Fläche = 80.11
Einwohner = 29577
Stand = 2006-06-30
PLZ = 46446
PLZ-alt = 4240
Vorwahl = 0 28 22
0 28 28 (Elten)
Kfz = KLE
Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 1 54 008
NUTS = DEA1B
LOCODE = DE EMM
Gliederung = 8
Straße = Geistmarkt 1
Website = [http://www.emmerich.de/ www.emmerich.de]
Bürgermeister = Johannes Diks
Partei = CDU

Emmerich am Rhein, meaning "Emmerich on the Rhine"; Dutch "Emmerik") is a city on the lower part of the River Rhine in the northwest of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In terms of local government organization, it is a medium-sized city belonging to the district of Cleves in the administrative region ("Regierungsbezirk") of Düsseldorf.

Geography

Emmerich lies to the north bank of the Rhine, just inside the German border; it is only 4 km to the Netherlands to the north and 5 km to the west. It is therefore the last German town on the Rhine before the river flows into the Netherlands.

Metropolitan area

The municipalities which comprise Emmerich are "Borghees, Dornick, Elten, Hüthum, Klein-Netterden, Speelberg, Praest, Vrasselt" and "Leegmeer."

Neighboring Municipalities and Cities

To the north, the city of Emmerich borders the Dutch municipalities of Montferland and Oude IJsselstreek, both of which are in the Dutch province of Gelderland.To the east, it is bordered by the German city of Rees.To the south, it is bordered by the Rhine, and south of the river, by the German city of Kleve. To the west, it is bordered by the Dutch municipalities of Rijnwaarden and Zevenaar, both of which are also in the Dutch province of Gelderland.

History

Around the year 700 Saint Willibrord founded the mission "Emmerich" in the Utrecht diocese. The oldest documented name is "Villa Embrici," which survives from the year 828.

The collegiate church "St. Martinikirche" was constructed in 1040.

On May 31, 1233 Count Otto von Zutphen and Gelder arose to the royalty of the prosperous city with the authorization of the Roman emperor and the German King Emmerich (Emeric of Hungary). Emmerich became a member of the Hanseatic League at the end of the 14th century.

In 1856 the railway section Oberhausen-Arnhem, of the Cologne-Mindener Railway was opened.

During World War II Emmerich was 97% destroyed on October 7, 1944 by allied air strikes.

On November 28, 2004 the four Catholic congregations of the city (St. Martini, St. Aldegundis, Heilig-Geist and Liebfrauen) combined to form the new city parish St. Christophorus.

Municipality and County Reform

As a part of the 1st municipal restructuring program, the municipalities of "Borghees, Dornick, Hüthum, Klein-Netterden, Praest" and "Vrasselt" were integrated into the city of Emmerich on July 1, 1969. In the course of the 2nd restructuring program, the municipality of "Elten" was integrated as well, on January 1, 1975.

Places of interest

Holy Ghost Church This Catholic church was built in 1966 and is especially striking due to its version of the cross made of scrap metal and the Stations of the Cross made of linen. The architectural development during the time of the Second Vatican Council shaped the design of the church.

Rhine Bridge This bridge, which connects Emmerich on the north of the Rhine with Kleve on the south, was opened in 1965, and with a length of 1228 meters and a span of 500 meters it is the longest suspension bridge in Germany. Approximately 500 ships pass underneath it every day.

Rhine Museum. In the Rhine Museum, 130 ship models are exhibited, as well as a radar unit, examples of fish taxidermy, maps of the Rhine, a historic Christophorus figurine and a library of the city’s history. In addition there is a one-man U-Boat from World War II and exhibitions regarding shipping on the Rhine, the history of the city and fisheries.

PAN-Art Forum/Poster Museum. The famous poster collection is displayed in the former Lohmann chocolate factory in rotating exhibits.

Transportation Infrastructure

Railways

The Emmerich train station is located about 1 km southeast of the city center on the double-track electrified “Holland Route,” which plays an important role in passenger travel and commercial transport and is therefore treated in the EU as a part of the Trans-European Network in the category “priority projects which should be begun before 2010.” In addition to the ICE International from Amsterdam to Frankfurt am Main, the night train CityNightLine to southern Germany, Austria and to Switzerland travels through here with a stop in Emmerich.

With regards to regional rail transport, the following trains pass through Emmerich, in general every hour:
*the Rhine Express (RE5) from Emmerich to Koblenz and
*the Regional Train "Der Weseler" (RB35) from Emmerich to Duisberg, and at rush hour to Düsseldorf.

There is another station located on the same line near Emmerich, the stop "Praest", which is only served by the Regional Train "Der Weseler" (RB 35).

Roads

Emmerich lies on the A3 motorway (known in German as the Bundesautobahn 3), which has the European designation E35. It also lies on the B8 (the Bundesstrasse 8) and the B220.

Inland waterways

* The River Rhine
* The Municipal Rhine Harbour of Emmerich

People

* Rainer Bonhof, a former footballer for the German national team, was born in Emmerich.
* Wilhelm Normann, the inventor of fat hardening by hydrogenation.

Sister cities

Emmerich maintains relationships with:
* King's Lynn (United Kingdom, since 1978)
* Šilutė (Lithuania, since 1990, formerly "Heydekrug")
* Kirkland, Washington (United States, since 1995)

References