From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Verden (Aller), or Verden (IPA: [ˈfeːɐdn]), is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, on the River Aller. It is the administrative centre of the district of Verden. Verden is famous for the alleged massacre of Saxons in 782, committed on the orders of Charlemagne (the Massacre of Verden), for its cathedral, and for its horse breeding.
[edit] History
The town of Verden (pronounced: Fairden) is within the district of Verden and also in the county of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony). Running through the town is the river Aller which is 263km long and is one the Germany’s longest rivers.
The town is most known for its large church (former cathedral) (12th-15th century) and also famous for horse racing and auctions and is also called the (horse)riding town. The town is situated in close proximity to the towns of Bremen (35km) and Hannover (90km). The picturesque old town is east of the river where the spectacular Dome (cathedral) towers above the pedestrianised high street.
The town of Verden can be traced back to the Ice Age. In the Middle Ages there was a massacre of 4.500 Saxons, by order of Karl the Great because of their refusal to convert to the Christian faith. In the following century the north (with town hall and Johannis church) and the south (with the cathedral) parts of town joined together.
Up until the Second World War, Verden was renowned for its trade and crafts and also its mounted division. During the Nazi Regime forced-labourers were used in a furniture factory in Verden. From 1945 until 1993 latterly the 1st Armoured Division of the British Rhine Army was stationed in Verden. In and around the town came refugees from the formers states of Silesia, East Prussia and Pomerania.
Later in the 1960’s foreign workers (Gastarbeiter) started to arrive from southern Europe and Anatolia. After the fall of Communism more immigrants arrived from Eastern Europe.
One of the former British Barracks is now used to house the District administration and a new sporting stadium has been erected opposite.
[edit] Notable places
East of Verden, there is the 225 metre tall radio transmitter, Kirchlinteln transmitter, a used by Deutsche Telekom which is primarily used for TV and Mobile phone broadcasting.
The town hall and the catherdral are both places of interest, together with the pedestrianised high street, with its cafés and shops.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
.svg/105px-Wappen_Verden_(Aller).svg.png)
Germany
.svg/22px-Banner_of_the_Holy_Roman_Emperor_(after_1400).svg.png){kind=small}
