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Wikipedia

Bitburg

November 26, 2023

Bitburg (German pronunciation: [ˈbɪtˌbʊʁk] ⓘ; French: Bitbourg; Luxembourgish: Béibreg [ˈbəɪbʀəɕ]) is a city in Germany, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate approximately 25 km (16 mi.) northwest of Trier and 50 km (31 mi.) northeast of Luxembourg city. The American Spangdahlem Air Base is nearby.

Bitburg
Town
Coat of arms
Location of Bitburg within Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm district
Bitburg
Bitburg
Coordinates: 49°58′N 06°32′E / 49.967°N 6.533°E / 49.967; 6.533
CountryGermany
StateRhineland-Palatinate
DistrictEifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm
Government
 • Mayor (2017–25) Joachim Kandels[1] (CDU)
Area
 • Total47.54 km2 (18.36 sq mi)
Elevation
320 m (1,050 ft)
Population
 (2021-12-31)[2]
 • Total15,700
 • Density330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
54634
Dialling codes06561
Vehicle registrationBIT
Websitewww.bitburg.de

History edit

Historical affiliations

  County of Luxembourg 1239–1353
  Duchy of Luxembourg 1353–1795
  French Republic 1795–1804
  French Empire 1804–1815
  Kingdom of Prussia 1815–1871
  German Empire 1871–1918
  Weimar Republic 1918–1933
  Nazi Germany 1933–1945
  Allied-occupied Germany 1945–1949
  West Germany 1949–1990
  Germany 1990–present

The city's name derives from its Celtic toponym, Beda.

Bitburg originated approximately 2,000 years ago as a stopover for traffic from Lyon through Metz and Trier to Cologne. The first name mentioned was Vicus Beda. Emperor Constantine the Great expanded the settlement to a road castle around 330, the central part of which forms the town centre today. Bitburg is first documented only after the end of the Roman Empire around 715 as castrum bedense. It subsequently became part of Franconia.

The first mention of Bitburg in historic annals occurred in connection with the signing in 1239 of the Trier-Luxembourg Treaty between Archbishop Theoderich II of Trier and Countess Ermesinde II of Luxemburg, under which the town came under the archbishopric's protection. Bitburg received a town charter in 1262 from Count Henry V of Luxembourg.

In 1443, Bitburg came under the sway of the Duchy of Burgundy, then in 1506 was acquired by the Austrian Netherlands, which controlled most of modern Belgium. In 1794 the city came under French administration, and in 1798 became part of the newly created Département des Forêts. This led to a short lived economic upturn, and Bitburg received among other things a court and a land registry.

In 1815, under agreements at the Congress of Vienna following the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, Bitburg was, after having been a part of the Duchy of Luxembourg for centuries, transferred to the Kingdom of Prussia, where until 1822 it belonged administratively to the province of Lower Rhine, and afterwards to the Rhine province. With the unification of Germany under Prussian dominance in 1871, Bitburg became part of the German Empire, and after World War I the Weimar Republic of Germany.

 
Memorial to soldiers of two world wars

In the interwar years, Bitburg, like most of the Eifel region, was impoverished and comparatively backward. Economic growth began after the Nazi Seizure of Power and the Nazi regime's introduction of employment-boosting public works projects, including infrastructure for war, particularly the Westwall; new armed forces barracks; and the development of the Nims-Sauer Valley railway. It is said that the building now used as the post office at Bitburg Annex (what is left of Bitburg Air Base) was the headquarters for Adolf Hitler when he was in the city.

In late December 1944, Bitburg was 85 percent destroyed by Allied bombing attacks, and later officially designated by the U.S. military as a "dead city." Subsequently, the town was occupied by Luxembourg soldiers, who were replaced by French forces in 1955.

In 1952 a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base was opened at Bitburg by the U.S. Air Force. At the end of the 1980s, French troops were withdrawn and NATO took over the former French barracks. After the First Gulf War most of the USAF forces were moved to the larger Spangdahlem Air Base, about 12 km east of Bitburg. In 1994, NATO turned the Bitburg Air Base over to the city, which devoted it to public works projects. The Nims-Sauer Valley railway was abandoned step by step, beginning in 1969. Parts of it were converted into a bicycle path (Radweg).[3]

In 1985, Bitburg came to international attention due to a ceremonial visit by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the nearby Kolmeshöhe Military Cemetery – which among its 2,000 graves included those of 49 members of the Waffen-SS. Chelsea Clinton had written a letter urging President Reagan not to visit the town.[4]

Economics and industry edit

 
Bitburger Pilsener

The most widely known Bitburg enterprise, and landmark of the city, is the Bitburger brewery. Its Pilsener-style lager beer ranks No. 3 among Germany's best selling beers, with sales of 3.86 million hectolitres (in 2008).

In 1995, the former NATO base was designated the Bitburg Airfield Trade Area, providing commercial development district where 180 enterprises have established themselves.

Transport edit

 
Fritz von Wille: Die blaue Blume

Bitburg-Erdorf station is part of the Eifel line (KBS 474). Trains that pass through include:

Points of interest edit

The Regional Museum of Bitburg-Prüm is housed in a former agricultural school. It contains numerous artifacts of the history of Bitburg and the Eifel Region in general.

In the cultural centre Haus Beda are exhibited works of the Düsseldorf painter Fritz von Wille (1860–1941), the Eifel's most widely known artist. More than 100 paintings are on display, including Die blaue Blume, Mosenberg, Burg Reifferscheid im Winter and Ein klarer Tag.

International relations edit

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

Bitburg is partnered or twinned with:

Born in Bitburg edit

References edit

  1. ^ Wahlen der Bürgermeister der verbandsfreien Gemeinden, Landeswahlleiter Rheinland-Pfalz, accessed 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand 2021, Kreise, Gemeinden, Verbandsgemeinden" (in German). Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland-Pfalz. 2022.
  3. ^ "Nims-Sauertalbahn", Wikipedia (in German), 2022-07-27, retrieved 2023-01-15
  4. ^ "Young Chelsea urged Reagan against Bitburg visit". Timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ . Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bitburg.

November 26, 2023
bitburg, german, pronunciation, ˈbɪtˌbʊʁk, french, bitbourg, luxembourgish, béibreg, ˈbəɪbʀəɕ, city, germany, state, rhineland, palatinate, approximately, northwest, trier, northeast, luxembourg, city, american, spangdahlem, base, nearby, towncoat, armslocatio. Bitburg German pronunciation ˈbɪtˌbʊʁk French Bitbourg Luxembourgish Beibreg ˈbeɪbʀeɕ is a city in Germany in the state of Rhineland Palatinate approximately 25 km 16 mi northwest of Trier and 50 km 31 mi northeast of Luxembourg city The American Spangdahlem Air Base is nearby BitburgTownCoat of armsLocation of Bitburg within Eifelkreis Bitburg Prum districtBitburgShow map of GermanyBitburgShow map of Rhineland PalatinateCoordinates 49 58 N 06 32 E 49 967 N 6 533 E 49 967 6 533CountryGermanyStateRhineland PalatinateDistrictEifelkreis Bitburg PrumGovernment Mayor 2017 25 Joachim Kandels 1 CDU Area Total47 54 km2 18 36 sq mi Elevation320 m 1 050 ft Population 2021 12 31 2 Total15 700 Density330 km2 860 sq mi Time zoneUTC 01 00 CET Summer DST UTC 02 00 CEST Postal codes54634Dialling codes06561Vehicle registrationBITWebsitewww bitburg de Contents 1 History 2 Economics and industry 3 Transport 4 Points of interest 5 International relations 6 Born in Bitburg 7 References 8 External linksHistory editThis section relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Bitburg news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2021 Historical affiliations nbsp County of Luxembourg 1239 1353 nbsp Duchy of Luxembourg 1353 1795 nbsp French Republic 1795 1804 nbsp French Empire 1804 1815 nbsp Kingdom of Prussia 1815 1871 nbsp German Empire 1871 1918 nbsp Weimar Republic 1918 1933 nbsp Nazi Germany 1933 1945 nbsp Allied occupied Germany 1945 1949 nbsp West Germany 1949 1990 nbsp Germany 1990 present The city s name derives from its Celtic toponym Beda Bitburg originated approximately 2 000 years ago as a stopover for traffic from Lyon through Metz and Trier to Cologne The first name mentioned was Vicus Beda Emperor Constantine the Great expanded the settlement to a road castle around 330 the central part of which forms the town centre today Bitburg is first documented only after the end of the Roman Empire around 715 as castrum bedense It subsequently became part of Franconia The first mention of Bitburg in historic annals occurred in connection with the signing in 1239 of the Trier Luxembourg Treaty between Archbishop Theoderich II of Trier and Countess Ermesinde II of Luxemburg under which the town came under the archbishopric s protection Bitburg received a town charter in 1262 from Count Henry V of Luxembourg In 1443 Bitburg came under the sway of the Duchy of Burgundy then in 1506 was acquired by the Austrian Netherlands which controlled most of modern Belgium In 1794 the city came under French administration and in 1798 became part of the newly created Departement des Forets This led to a short lived economic upturn and Bitburg received among other things a court and a land registry In 1815 under agreements at the Congress of Vienna following the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte Bitburg was after having been a part of the Duchy of Luxembourg for centuries transferred to the Kingdom of Prussia where until 1822 it belonged administratively to the province of Lower Rhine and afterwards to the Rhine province With the unification of Germany under Prussian dominance in 1871 Bitburg became part of the German Empire and after World War I the Weimar Republic of Germany nbsp Memorial to soldiers of two world warsIn the interwar years Bitburg like most of the Eifel region was impoverished and comparatively backward Economic growth began after the Nazi Seizure of Power and the Nazi regime s introduction of employment boosting public works projects including infrastructure for war particularly the Westwall new armed forces barracks and the development of the Nims Sauer Valley railway It is said that the building now used as the post office at Bitburg Annex what is left of Bitburg Air Base was the headquarters for Adolf Hitler when he was in the city In late December 1944 Bitburg was 85 percent destroyed by Allied bombing attacks and later officially designated by the U S military as a dead city Subsequently the town was occupied by Luxembourg soldiers who were replaced by French forces in 1955 In 1952 a North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO base was opened at Bitburg by the U S Air Force At the end of the 1980s French troops were withdrawn and NATO took over the former French barracks After the First Gulf War most of the USAF forces were moved to the larger Spangdahlem Air Base about 12 km east of Bitburg In 1994 NATO turned the Bitburg Air Base over to the city which devoted it to public works projects The Nims Sauer Valley railway was abandoned step by step beginning in 1969 Parts of it were converted into a bicycle path Radweg 3 In 1985 Bitburg came to international attention due to a ceremonial visit by U S President Ronald Reagan and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the nearby Kolmeshohe Military Cemetery which among its 2 000 graves included those of 49 members of the Waffen SS Chelsea Clinton had written a letter urging President Reagan not to visit the town 4 Economics and industry edit nbsp Bitburger PilsenerThe most widely known Bitburg enterprise and landmark of the city is the Bitburger brewery Its Pilsener style lager beer ranks No 3 among Germany s best selling beers with sales of 3 86 million hectolitres in 2008 In 1995 the former NATO base was designated the Bitburg Airfield Trade Area providing commercial development district where 180 enterprises have established themselves Transport edit nbsp Fritz von Wille Die blaue BlumeBitburg Erdorf station is part of the Eifel line KBS 474 Trains that pass through include The Eifel Mosel express RE 12 Cologne Euskirchen Gerolstein Trier The Eifel line RB 83 Gerolstein TrierPoints of interest editThe Regional Museum of Bitburg Prum is housed in a former agricultural school It contains numerous artifacts of the history of Bitburg and the Eifel Region in general In the cultural centre Haus Beda are exhibited works of the Dusseldorf painter Fritz von Wille 1860 1941 the Eifel s most widely known artist More than 100 paintings are on display including Die blaue Blume Mosenberg Burg Reifferscheid im Winter and Ein klarer Tag International relations editSee also List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany Bitburg is partnered or twinned with nbsp Arlon Belgium since 1965 nbsp Bad Kostritz Thuringia Germany since 1992 nbsp Diekirch Luxembourg since 1962 nbsp Rethel France since 1965 nbsp Shelbyville Kentucky USA since 1962 5 Born in Bitburg editChristopher Robbins born 1946 American writerCharles Mathias Simons 1802 1874 Luxembourg jurist and politician Tom G Palmer born 1956 libertarian author and theorist Jean Marc Barr born 1960 French actor director filmmaker and screenwriter Bertram Schafer born 1946 racing driverReferences edit Wahlen der Burgermeister der verbandsfreien Gemeinden Landeswahlleiter Rheinland Pfalz accessed 30 July 2021 Bevolkerungsstand 2021 Kreise Gemeinden Verbandsgemeinden in German Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland Pfalz 2022 Nims Sauertalbahn Wikipedia in German 2022 07 27 retrieved 2023 01 15 Young Chelsea urged Reagan against Bitburg visit Timesofisrael com Retrieved 7 December 2021 Interactive City Directory Sister Cities International Archived from the original on 12 March 2014 Retrieved 12 March 2014 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bitburg The Eighties Club Bitburg Archived 2019 11 11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bitburg amp oldid 1185440224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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