Astert

Infobox Ort in Deutschland
image_photo =
Wappen = Wappen von Astert.pnglat_deg = 50 |lat_min = 41 |lat_sec = 42
lon_deg = 7 |lon_min = 46 |lon_sec = 42
Lageplan = Astert im Westerwaldkreis.pngBundesland = Rheinland-Pfalz
Landkreis = Westerwaldkreis
Verbandsgemeinde = Hachenburg
Höhe = 235
Fläche = 2.39
Einwohner = 247
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 57627
Vorwahl = 02688
Kfz = WW
Gemeindeschlüssel = 07 1 43 204
Gliederung = 2
Adresse-Verband = Gartenstraße 11 57627 Hachenburg
Website = [http://www.hachenburg-vg.de/08_gemeinden/astert/index.html www.hachenburg-vg.de]
Bürgermeister = Hermann-Josef Schneider

Astert is an "Ortsgemeinde" – a community belonging to a "Verbandsgemeinde" – in the Westerwaldkreis in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Geography

Location

The community lies in the Westerwald between Limburg and Siegen in the "Kroppacher Schweiz" (“Kroppach Switzerland”), a nature and landscape conservation area. Through the community flows the river Große Nister. In 1985, Astert was chosen as Rhineland-Palatinate’s prettiest place in the contest "Unser Dorf soll schöner werden" (“Our village should become lovelier”). Astert belongs to the "Verbandsgemeinde" of Hachenburg, a kind of collective municipality found only in Rhineland-Palatinate. Its seat is in the like-named town.

Constituent communities

Astert’s "Ortsteile" are Oberdorf and Unterdorf.

History

In 1282, Astert had its first documentary mention in a document from the Marienstatt Monastery, in which it was named as "Asterode".

Politics

Community council

The council is made up of 8 council members who were elected in a majority vote in a municipal election on 13 June 2004.

Regular events

In this small but lively community, village festivals can be enjoyed almost every month. The raising of the Maypole and Carnival, roo, are times when both old and young inhabitants can celebrate together. The community’s youth, who are not very strongly represented, like to gather at the "Backes" (an old baking house).

Culinary specialities

Moreover, there is something else that sets Astert apart, its speciality. It is known as "Asterter Klüsen" – a regional word for dumplings. They are a well loved dish not only among the locals, but also for people from the neighbouring communities, who enjoy this hearty dish. The dumplings’ recipe and preparation, however, are things that only longtime village ladies may know. The art of cooking the "Asterter Klüsen", though, is taught younger ladies so that this delight does not pass away into legend.

Economy and infrastructure

Transport

South of the community runs "Bundesstraße" 414, which leads from Altenkirchen to Hachenburg. The nearest Autobahn interchanges are in Siegen and Wilsdorf on the A 45 (Dortmund–Gießen), roughly 25 km away. The nearest InterCityExpress stop lies about 40 km away at the railway station at Montabaur on the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed rail line.

External links

* [http://www.hachenburg-vg.de/08_gemeinden/astert/index.html Astert in the collective municipality’s Web pages] de icon
* [http://www.asterter-kluesen.de "Asterter Klüsen"] de icon
* [http://www.astert.de Astert] de icon