Bernkastel-Kues

Infobox Ort in Deutschland
Art = Stadt
image_photo = Bernkastel-Kues_building_sm.jpg
imagesize = 180
Wappen = Wappen stadt bks.pnglat_deg = 49 | lat_min = 54 | lat_sec = 58
lon_deg = 07 | lon_min = 04 | lon_sec = 10
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Rheinland-Pfalz
Landkreis = Bernkastel-Wittlich
Verbandsgemeinde = Bernkastel-Kues
Höhe = 110
Fläche = 23.66
Einwohner = 6732
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 54470
Vorwahl = 06531
Kfz = WIL
Gemeindeschlüssel = 07 2 31 008
Adresse-Verband = Gestade 18 54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Website = [http://www.bernkastel-kues.de www.bernkastel-kues.de]
Bürgermeister = Wolfgang Port
Partei = CDU

Bernkastel-Kues (IPA2|ˌbɛɐ̯nkastəlˈkuːs) is a town over 700 years old, located on the Middle Moselle river in the district of Bernkastel-Wittlich, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Town districts

The town consists of the town districts of
* Andel (since 7 November 1970)
* Bernkastel (municipal law since 1291)
* Kues (since 1 April 1905)
* Wehlen (since 7 November 1970)

History

* The first settlements date back to the time of the Linear Pottery culture in the 30th century BC.
* 1291 king Rudolph of Habsburg grants the municipal law to Bernkastel, Welschbillig, Mayen, Montabaur and Saarburg.
* In 1905 the village of Kues and the city of Bernkastel were joined to the town of Bernkastel-Kues.
* In 1970 the neighbouring villages of Andel and Wehlen joined the town.

Culture

Places of interest

* Market square: Bernkastel-Kues is very famous for its wines and the mediaeval market square. The square is surrounded by many well preserved half-timbered houses as well as the Renaissance city hall built in 1608. Especially well-known is the very small and narrow so-called "Spitzhäuschen" (the "Pointed House") which dates back to 1416. At the centre of the market square lies the fountain of St. Michael (St. Michaelsbrunnen).
* Bear fountain: In the vicinity of the market square the "Bärenbrunnen" (bear fountain) can be found. It was build on the site of the former "bear well".
* The Doctor Fountain (Doctorbrunnen) depicts scenes of the ancient saga about a local wine, the famous "Bernkasteler Doctor".
* The church of St. Michael was first mentioned in 1177, however the current building dates back to the end of the 14th century. Its tower is especially impressive and was once incorporated in the city defences. It thus looks more like an old keep than like a church spire.
* The Graacher Gate (Graacher Tor) is the only remaining medieval town gate
* Ruin of the Castle of Landshut: Towering above the city of Bernkastel on a hill is the "Burgruine Landshut" (ruin of the Castle of Landshut), built in 1277. Due to an accidental fire the building burnt down on January 8, 1692. It is a popular viewpoint and gives a beautiful view over the city and the vineyards of the Mosel valley.
* The birthplace of Nicholas of Cusa is well preserved and lies in the town district of Kues.
* St. Nikolaus Hospital houses a library with a famous collection of ancient books. It is also well-known for its chapel, where the heart of the great philosopher, cardinal and polymath Nicholas of Cusa is buried.

Events

* Domicile of the "Moselfestwochen" (classic music festival) [http://www.moselfestwochen.de/]
* Street fair (Straßenfest) in the town district of Kues
* Wine festival of the middle Moselle river valley (Weinfest der Mittelmosel), an annual wine festival for the whole middle Mosel region on the first weekend of September, well-known for its display of fireworks and its festive procession
* Medieval Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) in December (annual) on the historic marketplace. Many local vendors sell everything from hot wine, called Glühwein, to handmade trinkets.
* "Open wine cellar days" (Tage der offenen Weinkeller) in the town district of Kues where vintagers of Kues present and sell their wine in their own wine cellars.
* "Open wine cellar days" in the town district of Kues where vintagers of Wehlen present their wine in their own wine cellar
* International rowing regatta on the Moselle river (in September)
* annual horse show on the Easter weekend
* Bernkastel-Kues is also the host city for the annual Intercamp Camporee for the year 2008. Scouting councils from the USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, France, and many other European countries will be attending the event on May 9-11 [http://www.intercamp.info (Intecamp Information)]

Famous people born in Bernkastel-Kues

* Nicholas of Cusa (Cusanus), polymath (1401–August 11 1464 in Todi/Umbria): The town district of Kues is the birthplace of the great philosopher, mathematician and Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa (Nikolaus von Kues). His heart is buried in the Gothic chapel of the nursing home St. Nicholas, which was founded by Nicholas of Cusa and granted a generous endowment by him. The buildings of the hospital were erected between 1451 and 1458. It is famous for its library, which holds more than 300 precious scripts dating from the 9th to 15th century.
* Hermann Schroeder, composer (March 26, 1904–October 7 1984)
* Hans Jochen Boecker, theologian (b. March 28 1928)

Twin towns

*

*

*

Economy

The main industries in Bernkastel-Kues are viticulture and tourism.

Viticulture

Bernkastel-Kues is home the following vineyard locations, some of which are world famous (in alphabetic order):
* Andeler Goldschatz
* Bernkasteler Badstube
* Bernkasteler Bratenhöfchen
* Bernkasteler Doctor
* Bernkasteler Johannisbrünnchen
* Bernkasteler Matheisbildchen
* Bernkasteler Graben
* Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg
* Bernkastel-Kueser Rosenberg
* Bernkastel-Kueser Schlossberg
* Bernkastel-Kueser Stephanus Rosengärtchen
* Bernkastel-Kueser Weisenstein
* Wehlener Abtei
* Wehlener Hofberg
* Wehlener Klosterberg
* Wehlener Nonnenberg
* Wehlener Sonnenuhr

Collective municipality

Bernkastel-Kues is also the seat of the "Verbandsgemeinde Bernkastel-Kues" ("collective municipality"), which consists of the following "Ortsgemeinden" ("local municipalities"):

Further reading

* Schmitt, Franz: "Chronik von Cues", Bernkastel-Kues, 1981.
* Schmitt, Franz: "Bernkastel im Wandel der Zeiten", Trier, 1985.

External links

* [http://www.bernkastel.de/ Webpage of the town of Bernkastel-Kues]
* [http://www.bernkastel-kues.de/ Webpage of the Verbandsgemeinde Bernkastel-Kues ]
* [http://www.bernkastel-andel.com Webpage of the town district of Andel]
* [http://www.wehlen.de/ Webpage of the town district of Wehlen]