Vallendar

Infobox Ort in Deutschland
Art = Stadt
image_photo =
Wappen = Wappen vallendar.jpg
lat_deg = 50 |lat_min = 24 |lat_sec = 01
lon_deg = 7 |lon_min = 37 |lon_sec = 02
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Rheinland-Pfalz
Landkreis = Mayen-Koblenz
Verbandsgemeinde = Vallendar
Höhe = 99
Fläche = 13.22
Einwohner = 8620
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 56179
Vorwahl = 0261
Kfz = MYK
Gemeindeschlüssel = 07 1 37 226
Gliederung = 5
Adresse-Verband = Rathausplatz 13
56179 Vallendar
Website = [http://www.vallendar-rhein.de/ www.vallendar-rhein.de]
Bürgermeister = Wolfgang Helbach
Partei = CDU

Vallendar is a municipality in the district Mayen-Koblenz, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the right bank of the Rhine, approx. 4 km north-east of Koblenz. Vallendar is the seat of the "Verbandsgemeinde" ("collective municipality") Vallendar.

Geography

Situation

The city of Vallendar spreads out on the right side of the Mittelrhein opposing the island of Niederwerth, where several creek valleys from the Westerwald meet the Rhine valley. It is situated 5,7 km (3.5 miles) north of Koblenz and 12,3 km (7.7 miles) south of Neuwied. East of Vallendar rises the Westerwald, on the other side of the river the Eifel.

Origin of name

The city's name derives from its situation in the creek valleys. The syllables "val" and have indogermanic roots: "val" means "flowing", whereas "ndar" indicates a "swampy area".

Districts

* Mallendar
* Mallendarer Berg
* Schönstatt
* Gumschlag

History

Vallendar is first mentioned around 830/840 AC as property of the Archbishop of Trier; it is assumed that it is of celtic origin and a lot older than that (700-600 BC). 1143 the Schoenstatt abbey is founded. In 1232 the Count of Sayn takes property of the land and starts constructing a castle at the northern boundaries of the city in 1240. It's foundations today support the Marienburg.

Since the fourteenth century the Archbishop of Tier regains more and more power over the land to become proprietor again in 1681 and 1767 (for good). Today the Lion of Sayn and the Cross of Trier are evidence of this history in Vallendars coat of arms. During the middle ages a palatine high court was located in Vallendar. 1802 the proprietorship goes to the Count of Nassau-Weilburg, 1815 it falls to the kingdom of Prussia. A rich business life is the reason for King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. to grant city rights to Vallendar in 1856. After World War One the city was the scene for a military action of the 23. US-Infantry [ [http://www.lonesentry.com/unithistory/23rd-infantry/index.html] ] . 1939 Mallendar is added to the city. From 1954 to the 1970ies numerous new construction areas are established. Since 1973 the skyline is dominated by the "Humboldthöhe".

Today Vallendars appearance is influenced mostly by the internationally renowned Schönstatt and the WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management and its students.

Population development

Politics

Stadtrat

The result of the 2004 election:

CDU (62,42 %) 15 seats, SPD (31,15 %) 7 Seats, FDP (6,44 %) 2 Seats

Twin Cities

* Cercy-la-Tour, France
* Cranleigh, UK
* Murów, Poland

Economy and Infrastructure

Companies

* Baldus Medizintechnik GmbH is a consulting and service company specialised in the medical gas supply for hospitals.
* CPS-Datensysteme GmbH is a Domain-Registrar.
* Schneider System GmbH is a Organisationsberatungs- und Systemhaus.

Education

* WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management ("formerly: Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung"), is a private university founded in 1984 in Koblenz.
* Schönstätter Marienschule, state recognized, private gitl's school
* Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Vallendar (philosophic-theologic school) of the Pallottines is occupied with the formation of priests and church-related people

Traffic

Vallendar is connected to the B 42 and A 48, with the exit Bendorf/Neuwied/Vallendar leading into the city center via B 42.

Vallendar has a train station on the Rheinstrecke.

The KEVAG busses 7/7a and 8/8a connect Vallendar to Koblenz, Bendorf and Höhr-Grenzhausen.

Sights

* Roman-catholic St. Marzellinus and St. Petrus Church (construced 1837-41 by Koblenz-based architect Johann Claudius von Lassaulx as one of the biggest church constructions in this area of the century)
* Protestant Lukas-church, constructed 1884-85 by Wiesbaden-based architect Friedrich Lang, typical Protestant 19th century church
* former St.-Josef-Krankenhaus, 1856-59 by Cologne-based architect Vincenz Statz
* Wiltberger Hof, 1695-98
* Former school in Eulerstraße, 1844-45 by Ferdinand Nebel
* Haus d'Ester, so called Marienburg (formerly seat to the d'Ester family , 1773 by Nikolaus Lauxen) ; today seat of the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management
* Marienburg-chappel

Persons of interest

Born in Vallendar:
* 1800: Theodor von Zwehl, bavarian politician
* 1805: Johann Baptist Kraus, Priest ArenbergLived in Vallendar:
* Josef Kentenich, Founder of the international Schönstatt-Movement
* Emilie Engel
* Gerhard Henschel, author of the book "Kindheitsroman"
* Oliver Samwer, Founder of Alando (bought by ebay.de) and Jamba!

Trivia

A city named "Vallendar" is included in the PC game Call of Duty 2. This fictional city also lies on the river Rhine. The players task is to fight retreating German soldiers during World War II. Other than it's location on the river the virtual Vallendar has nothing in common with its real world counterpart.

References

External links

* [http://www.vallendar-rhein.de/ Website of the city of Vallendar]
* [http://www.vallendar.eu/ Collective municipality Vallendar]
* [http://www.goethezeitportal.de/fileadmin/PDF/db/feuilleton/goethe/trumpp_wuestenhof.pdf Thomas Trumpp: Goethe in Vallendar on July 18th 1774]