Attendorn

Attendorn (German: [ˈatn̩dɔʁn] ) is a German town in the Olpe district in North Rhine-Westphalia. As of 2019 it had a population of 24,264.

Attendorn
Town
Coat of arms
Location of Attendorn within Olpe district
Attendorn Attendorn
Coordinates: 51°07′N 07°54′E
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region	Arnsberg
District	Olpe
Government
• Mayor (2020–25)	Christian Pospischil (SPD)
Area
• Total	97.86 km2 (37.78 sq mi)
Elevation	257 m (843 ft)
Population  (2023-12-31)
• Total	24,452
• Density	250/km2 (650/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes	57439
Dialling codes	02722
Vehicle registration	OE
Website	www.attendorn.de

History

Town of Attendorn 1832 with town wall and moat

Overview map of Attendorn 1840, from the “Original Prussian Survey” (Preußische Uraufnahme)

The town's location was favoured by the good climate in the Attendorn-Elsper Limestone Double Basin (Attendorn-Elsper-Kalkdoppelmulde), the fruitful soil and favourable transport potential, and was already attracting people in prehistoric times. Heavier settlement, however, can be traced only as far back as the Middle Ages.

The town lies at the crossroads of two former long-distance roads, the Heidenstraße (“Heath Road”) and the so-called Königsstraße (“King’s Road”). Here, in Charlemagne’s time, arose a parish. Under the St.-Johannes-Kirche (church) are found the foundations of an old missionary church. In 1072, Archbishop Anno of Cologne endowed the Grafschaft Abbey and granted it, among other things, rights to an estate in Attendorn. Indeed, the monastery's endowment document stands as the town's earliest documentary mention.

In 1222, town rights, on the Soest model, were granted the town under Engelbert II of Berg. Schnellenberg Castle, built about 1200, and the acquisition of the Waldenburg (another castle) in 1248 served to safeguard Cologne's interests in the region.

Attendorn's heyday was brought about not only by its nine guilds but also, and mainly, by its wool and linen weavers. Furthermore, the town's political and ecclesiastical status as a bulwark against the County of Mark and as seat of a deanery in the old Archbishopric of Cologne brought it wealth and prosperity. As the Sauerland's only town, Attendorn joined the Rhenish League of Towns in 1255. Attendorn was only an indirect member of the Hanse, and was thus represented at the Hanseatic League’s great assemblies by the town of Soest.

By about 1200, Attendorn was already home to one of the archbishopric's mints. Mediaeval coins from Attendorn have been found as far afield as Brussels, Łubnice (Poland) and the island of Gotland.

From the early 14th century until today there has existed a hospital with a church and graveyard outside the town's walls. In 1420, Heinrich Weke endowed the Ewig Monastery. In 1429, he also added a hospital for the poor. For a time, the town was so well off that it could even grant the Archbishop of Cologne himself credit. Moreover, the town also supported him during his dispute with the town of Soest. In 1444 and 1445, the town helped the Archbishop conquer the castle and the land of Bilstein in the so-called Soest Feud.

Four times, in 1464, 1597, 1598 and 1613, the Plague beset the town. Great fires, too, ravaged the town in 1613, 1623, 1656, 1710, 1732, 1742 and 1783. The one in 1656 destroyed half the town. Attendorn also suffered as a result of war, sackings and occupations. Examples include the War of the Limburg-Hohenlimburg Succession in 1280, the Soest Feud from 1444 to 1449, the Truchsess War in 1583 and 1584 and the Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648. Attendorn reached its deepest economic despair in Napoleonic times, only recovering from the downturn in the mid-19th century.

The rise of Nazis and the Second World War affected Attendorn much like the rest of Germany. An Attendorn teacher and historian, supported by the government, documented the persecution of Attendorn Jewish families under Nazi rule. As in many places, this included destruction of property, boycotting Jewish stores, appropriating factories, and shipping Jews to concentration camps. A Nazi civilian forced-labor camp was established in Attendorn to provide labor to area factories. It housed up to 1,000 conscripted Polish, Soviet, and Czech laborers, until being liberated by U.S. military forces in April, 1945. Attendorn lost many citizens during the war and suffered heavy destruction under bombing on 28 March 1945, and also on 15 June that same year as a result of a munitions explosion.

Geography

Inner town from the southeast

The town of Attendorn lies in the Naturpark Ebbegebirge, right on the Biggesee (lake) in the district's northwest. The town's highest point is the Rüenhardt (636 m), whereas the Ahauser Stausee (reservoir) has an elevation of only 248 m. The municipal area comprises 97 km², roughly half of which is wooded. It is a part of South Westphalia.

Constituent communities

Attendorn is subdivided into the following communities (with population figures): Albringhausen (91), Attendorn (13,684), Berlinghausen (20), Beukenbeul (291), Biekhofen (623), Biggen (55), Borghausen (26), Bremge bei Ennest (7), Bremge/Biggesee (37), Bürberg (49), St. Claas (182), Dahlhausen (6), Dünschede (650), Ebbe, Forsthaus (2), Ebbelinghagen (36), Eichen (30), Ennest (2,039), Erlen (36), Ewig (24), Fernholte (4), Hebberg (39), Helden (1,144), Hofkühl (14), Hohen Hagen (8), Holzweg (406), Jäckelchen (15), Keseberg (29), Keuperkusen (11), Kraghammer (66), Lichringhausen (516), Listerscheid (161), Mecklinghausen (196), Merklinghausen (17), Milstenau (80), Neuenhof (429), Neu-Listernohl (1,195), Niederhelden (324), Nuttmecke (23), Papiermühle (111), Petersburg (535), Rauterkusen (38), Rautersbeul (3), Repe (158), Rieflinghausen (75), Röllecken (478), Roscheid (21), Schnellenberg (8), Silbecke (93), Uelhof (17), Voßsiepen (3), Wamge (204), Weltringhausen (29), Weschede (60), Weuste (18), Windhausen (668) and Wörmge (24).

Population development

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1939 12,100 —     1950 15,600 +2.34% 1961 19,130 +1.87% 1962 19,560 +2.25% 1965 21,083 +2.53% 1970 21,735 +0.61% 1975 22,080 +0.32% 1977 21,806 −0.62% 1987 21,668 −0.06% 1990 22,736 +1.62% 1992 23,298 +1.23% 1997 23,863 +0.48% 1998 24,126 +1.10% 1999 24,267 +0.58% 2000 24,460 +0.80%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2001 24,688 +0.93% 2002 24,791 +0.42% 2003 24,776 −0.06% 2004 24,836 +0.24% 2005 24,814 −0.09% 2006 24,744 −0.28% 2007 24,818 +0.30% 2008 24,839 +0.08% 2009 24,780 −0.24% 2010 24,693 −0.35% 2011 24,637 −0.23% 2012 24,399 −0.97% 2013 24,336 −0.26% 2019 24,264 −0.05%
on 31 December

Politics

Mayor

Owing to a fire that damaged the town in 1783, no information from before then is available.

Mayors (1783–1804)

• 1783-1804: Franz Anton Plange
• 1783: Johann Eberhard Hoberg
• 1783-1784: Johann Emmerich Gottfried Joanvahrs
• 1786-1794: Johann Pieper
• 1790-1796: Johann Arnold Gertmann
• 1791-1793: Dr. Theodor Greve
• 1800-1802: Ferdinand Dingerkus
• 1802-1804: Johann Greve
• 1804: [Stephan?] Dingerkus

Stadtschultheiße (1812–1826)

A Schultheiß in German history was an official somewhat akin to a sheriff in England.

• 1812-1818: Johann Anton Goebel
• 1818-1826: Adolf Salomon

Mayors from 1826

• 1826-1829: Adolf Salomon
• 1829-1832: Kaspar Belke
• 1832-1835: Eberhard Belke
• 1835-1862: Arnold Becker
• 1862-1864: Franz Lex
• 1864-1865: Ferdinand Wurzer
• 1865-1866: Eberhard Wilmes (acting mayor during a vacancy)
• 1866-1908: Richard Heim
• 1908-1911: Heinrich Tück
• 1911-1919: Dr. Theodor Laymann
• 1920-1932: Wilhelm Hennemann
• 1932-1933: Hans Becker (commissary)
• 1933-1934: Peter Struif (NSDAP)
• 1934-1945: Josef Schütte (NSDAP)
• 1945: Dr. Wolfram Ebers (CDU)
• 1945-1946: Dr. Johannes Weber (CDU)
• 1946: Josef Mayworm (SPD)
• 1946-1948: Robert Schmidt (CDU)
• 1948-1949: Erich Berghoff (CDU)
• 1949-1950: August Bruse (SPD)
• 1951-1952: Robert Schmidt (CDU)
• 1952-1969: Alois Albus (CDU)
• 1969-1978: Karl Hammer (CDU)
• 1978-1994: Josef Rüenauver (CDU) – Honorary Mayor
• 1994-2009: Alfons Stumpf (SPD)
• 2009-2014: Wolfgang Hilleke (independent)
• since 2014: Christian Pospischil (SPD)

Coat of arms

The town's arms show the black cross of the Electorate of Cologne on a white/silver background with a waxing crescent moon in the upper left (or right – dexter – in heraldry). The oldest surviving town seal, from 1243, shows Saint Peter, patron of the Archbishopric of Cologne, with his key and a half moon next to his head, and in later seals enthroned on the Electorate's shield. In 1910, the coat of arms was officially approved in its current form, and after municipal reform, it was also approved for further use in 1970. The half moon was used as a symbol for John the Baptist, who was also to be found as the parish's holy protector in early secret seals.

Culture and sightseeing

Customs

Easter customs

Attendorners practise many specific Easter customs, among them the Semmelsegnen – which might be translated "Blessing of the Buns" – on Easter Saturday, and the felling, erection and burning of the Easter Crosses on Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Semmelsegnen

The Attendorn Easter bread, called Ostersemmel – “Easter bun” – is a mixed bread with caraway baked in local bakeries in the week leading up to Easter. Especially striking about these buns are the notches at each end that look somewhat like a fish's fins. This is an old Christian symbol. On Easter Saturday at 14:00, Attendorners gather outside the parish church to have their buns blessed by the minister. This custom is witnessed in documents as far back as 1658, but is likely much older.

Easter fire

Easter fire

In the weeks leading up to Easter, the (male) members of the Easter fire club, the so-called Poskebrüder, gather in the woods that ring the town for the Holzstellen. This entails gathering brushwood to make faggots, called Bürden – “burdens” – which are later used to burn the crosses. The Easter fire club is divided into four Porten, based on the town's former “quarters” each of which was to be reached through its own town gate. Each Attendorner goes with his Porte, either the one in which he was born or the one in which his family lives. Not surprisingly, this leads to a rivalry, not always taken seriously, that can be seen not only at Easter but also throughout the year.

After the Semmelsegnen on Easter Saturday, members of the four Porten move into the town forest, and each fells a great spruce, whereafter these trees are borne into the town, to the marketplace, where they are measured. This is a contest, too, to try to get the longest spruce with the greatest diameter. Then, the trees go to the Osterköpfe – “Easter heads” – which are high spots at the edge of town or outside the town where the Easter crosses are put up the next day (Easter Sunday).

On Easter Sunday they gather on the Osterköpfe and prepare the spruces for the fire to come that evening. Each spruce is given a crossbar swathed in straw, and is lifted into place by muscle power alone. Once this has been done, the faggots are heaped in layers at the foot of the cross, and are likewise wrapped in straw.

Towards 20:40, the Poskebrüder begin their Fackelschwenken – “Torch Swinging” – in which torches cut from sprucewood are lit from the torch fire, itself in turn having been lit beforehand from the Easter candle. Participants stand around the Easter cross and, holding the torches upright, swing them back and forth, either beside or before the body. At 21:00, when the lighting for the cross on the parish church's steeple is switched on, the torches are thrown onto the faggots and the cross goes up in flames.

At 20:30, the four columns of the Easter procession, waiting at the town's former gates, begin to move towards the church, signalled by the four burning crosses. There, the Easter festivities are concluded with a celebratory prayer.

Music

There are many music clubs in Attendorn.

Buildings

St. John the Baptist parish church

St. John the Baptist

South Sauerlandmuseum

The Pfarrkirche St. Johannes Baptist is also called the Sauerländer Dom – Sauerland Cathedral. It has a Romanesque tower from about 1200 and a Gothic nave from the 14th century. Striking about the church is the tower's Baroque cupola, which has adorned the church since 1634.

Town Hall with South Sauerland Museum

The old town hall (Rathaus) likely dates back to the 14th century, and it was thoroughly remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. Between 1962 and 1964, on the basis of some findings and an illustration kept at the parish church, the town hall's exterior was remodelled so that it once again took on its original appearance. It is a massive building with reconstructed crow-stepped gables at the sides. The ground floor, which opens into an arcade, was once used as a shopping centre, but is now given over to the Südsauerlandmuseum. This has exhibits from the Olpe district, and also the Westphalian Tin Figure Cabinet (Westfälisches Zinnfigurenkabinett).

Drawing of Schnellenberg Castle (first half of the 18th century)

Schnellenberg Castle

On one of the town's hills is found the Burg Schnellenberg. Since 1594 it has been owned by the family of the Barons of Fürstenberg. In 1594, the later Landdroste of the Duchy of Westphalia, Kaspar von Fürstenberg, bought this castle complex, which had Imperial immediacy, in South Westphalia. It houses a hotel and a restaurant.

Town wall’s towers

Bieketurm

Of the town fortifications demolished in 1812, two towers, the Pulverturm and the Bieketurm from the 13th century have been kept. The latter is nowadays used by the Schützengesellschaft Attendorn 1222 e. V. (a shooting club) as an armoury. Flags, king's chains, armour and other things may be viewed Saturdays from May to October between 10:00 and 12:00. On the tower's side, the former wall's height may be gauged from remnants there.

Natural monuments

Atta Cave

Main article: Atta Cave

The best known sightseeing place in Attendorn is the Atta Cave (Atta-Höhle), a cave exposed during limestone mining in 1907 and one of Germany's biggest interconnected cave systems. Its genesis lies mainly in the limestone deposits in the Attendorn-Elsper Double Basin.

Bigge reservoir

In the south of the municipal area is the dam that holds the Biggetalsperre, or Bigge Reservoir. Together with the Listertalsperre and the Ahauser Stausee – two other reservoirs – it forms a large recreation area for the town and its environs.

Economy and infrastructure

Attendorn's economy is based on midsize enterprises of the metal industry, which specialize for the most part in manufacturing armatures, pipes and other metal parts. Among them are Mubea, Viega, Aquatherm, GEDIA, Isphording and BeulCo.

Transport

Near Attendorn lies the Attendorn-Finnentrop airfield. Moreover, the town lies on the Biggetalbahn (railway) which has several halts and stations in the municipal area.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Attendorn is twinned with:

• Rawicz, Poland

Notable people

Born in Attendorn

Train station in Attendorn

• Angela Maria Autsch (1900–1944), Trinitarian Sister of Valencia and Roman Catholic Venerable
• Herbert Sohler (1908–1991), World War II U-boat commander
• Otto Pöggeler (1928–2014), philosopher
• Wolfgang Demtröder (born 1931), physicist
• Tanja Hennes (born 1971), cyclist
• Daniel Beckmann (born 1980), organist

Associated with Attendorn

• Willibrord Benzler (1853–1921), Bishop of the Diocese of Metz from 1901 to 1919, studied here
• Carl Schmitt (1888–1985), constitutional lawyer and political philosopher, lived as a boy in the Catholic convent in Attendorn and studied here
• Paul Josef Cordes (1934-2024), courier cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, studied here

Further reading

• Josef Brunabend: Attendorn, Schnellenberg, Waldenburg und Ewig. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte Westfalens. 2nd edition, by appointment by the town of Attendorn edited by Prof. Julius Pickert, finished by Karl Boos Münster (1958) (the first edition appeared in 1878 in Münster)
• Westfälischer Städteatlas; Band: II; 1 Teilband. By appointment by the Historical Commission for Westphalia and with support of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe, published by the late Heinz Stoob and Wilfried Ehbrecht. Stadtmappe Attendorn, Author: Heinz Stoob. ISBN 3-89115-344-9; Dortmund-Altenbeken, 1981.
• "Judisch in Attendorn," by Hartmut Hosenfeld, 2006. ISBN 978-3-9802697-6-6. English Translation in preparation

External links

• Official website (in German)
• Overview about the life and death of Attendorn’s Jewish citizens in the time of the Third Reich – a presentation by Class 9b from the St.-Ursula-Gymnasium (school year 06/07)