Velbert
Encyclopedia
Velbert is a town in the district of Mettmann
, in North Rhine-Westphalia
, Germany. Langenberg
, a district of Velbert, is well known as the location of the Sender Langenberg
transmitter site.
and 12 kilometres north-west of Wuppertal
on the left side of the Ruhr river.
Velbert stands on the highest part of the Niederberg region and also in its centre. Its average elevation is around 230 metres above sea level; its highest point, at 303 metres, is the Hordt-Berg, and its lowest, at around 80 metres, is in Nierenhof am Deilbach. The highest point in Velbert itself is 263 metres above sea level, at the corner of Friedrichstraße and Langenberger Straße.
After 1975 a new coat of arms was created that included heraldic symbols for all three formerly independent towns. The key, referring to Velbert's main traditional industry, was retained with a simpler design. Langenberg is represented by an oak leaf, referring to the oak in the old arms of Langenberg. The chevrons in the bit of the key refer to the coat of arms of the lords of Hardenberg, from the coat of arms of Neviges.
and Huf. As well as this Stein & Co Gmbh, the makers of Sebo
vacuum cleaners, are based in the town.
–Marl
–Bottrop
–Essen
-Langenberg
-Neviges
-Wuppertal, which is an attractive line to commuters. The old town of Velbert has no railway connection left. In 2011 most of the former railway line within the town was converted to a cyclepath. The former station buildings at Velbert-West and Velbert-Central are now restaurants, and the station at Velbert-Tönisheide is disused. All three were on the discontinued Niederberg Railway (Wülfrath
-Velbert-Heiligenhaus
–Kettwig). The operational stations serving the city are Langenberg
, Neviges
, Nierenhof
and Rosenhügel
.
Velbert also used to have a tram service, and was the meeting point of tramlines from Heidhausen, Neviges, Wülfrath and Hösel with Heiligenhaus. Nowadays a number of bus routes connect Velbert to the surrounding cities. The city belongs to the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr
.
with:
Since 1979, these three cities have been joined in a rare three-way partnership.
Velbert also has connections with Thesprotia
in Greece and Hacibektas
in Turkey
.
Mettmann (district)
Mettmann is a Kreis in the middle of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring are the Ennepe-Ruhr and thedistrict-free cities Wuppertal, Solingen, Düsseldorf,Duisburg, Mülheim, Essen...
, in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
, Germany. Langenberg
Langenberg
Langenberg is a quarter in Velbert, a German city. Located in this district is the famous Sender Langenberg transmission site, which transmits MW, FM, and TV broadcasting signals....
, a district of Velbert, is well known as the location of the Sender Langenberg
Sender Langenberg
The Langenberg transmission tower is a broadcasting station that transmits MW, FM and TV signals. It is located in Langenberg, Velbert, Germany and has had a very turbulent history since its inauguration...
transmitter site.
Geography
Velbert is located on the hills of 'Niederberg', part of the Berg region, approx. 20 kilometres north-east of the state capital DüsseldorfDüsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
and 12 kilometres north-west of Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
on the left side of the Ruhr river.
Velbert stands on the highest part of the Niederberg region and also in its centre. Its average elevation is around 230 metres above sea level; its highest point, at 303 metres, is the Hordt-Berg, and its lowest, at around 80 metres, is in Nierenhof am Deilbach. The highest point in Velbert itself is 263 metres above sea level, at the corner of Friedrichstraße and Langenberger Straße.
Incorporation
As part of the reform of local government districts in North Rhine-Westphalia that came into effect on 1 January 1975, the formerly independent cities of Velbert, Neviges and Langenberg were merged to form the present city of Velbert.Administration
Velbert is divided into three administrative areas, reflecting the three former cities: Velbert-Mitte (Central Velbert), Neviges and Langenberg. There are also numerous suburbs, including Tönisheide, Losenburg, Nordpark, Langenhorst, Birth, Röttgen and Hefel.Coat of arms
The first coat of arms was created in 1882 and abolished in local government reform of 1975. It showed the lion of the Counts, later Dukes, of Berg (originally the symbol of Limburg) and keys referring to locksmithing, a traditional industry in Velbert.After 1975 a new coat of arms was created that included heraldic symbols for all three formerly independent towns. The key, referring to Velbert's main traditional industry, was retained with a simpler design. Langenberg is represented by an oak leaf, referring to the oak in the old arms of Langenberg. The chevrons in the bit of the key refer to the coat of arms of the lords of Hardenberg, from the coat of arms of Neviges.
Economics
The main traditional industry of Velbert is small scale manufacturing, mostly metal based, typical products include locks, hinges, small tools, hoseclamps. Most companies are small to medium scale and many evolved from backyard forges. There are also companies producing parts for the automotive industry, for example the suppliers of vehicle access systems Witte AutomotiveWitte Automotive
Witte Automotive develops and produces locking-, handle- and hinge systems for car doors, hatches and seats.Headquartered in Germany, Witte Automotive – also known as Witte-Velbert GmbH & Co. KG - is the European part of the Vast Alliance, the global automotive supplier alliance for vehicle access...
and Huf. As well as this Stein & Co Gmbh, the makers of Sebo
Sebo
Sebo is the range of vacuum cleaners made by Stein & Co GmbH, a company based in the German town of Velbert. They produce a range of upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners for domestic use, as well as vacuum cleaners for commercial use. Sebo vacuum cleaners are endorsed by Allergy UK...
vacuum cleaners, are based in the town.
Transportation
Since December 2003, Velbert's S-Bahn connection has been line S9, running Haltern am SeeHaltern am See station
Haltern am See station is a station in the town of Haltern am See in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway from Wanne-Eickel to Hamburg. It is the northern terminus of Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn line S 9....
–Marl
Marl, Germany
Marl is a town and a municipality in the district of Recklinghausen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated near the Wesel-Datteln Canal, approx. 10 km north-west of Recklinghausen. It has about 90,000 people.- Location :...
–Bottrop
Bottrop Hauptbahnhof
Bottrop Hauptbahnof is a railway station in Bottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the Oberhausen-Osterfeld Süd – Hamm railway and Essen–Bottrop railway and is served by RE, RB and S-Bahn services operated by DB and NordWestBahn.-History :...
–Essen
Essen Hauptbahnhof
is the Hauptbahnhof for the city of Essen in western Germany. It is situated south of the old town centre, next to the A 40 motorway.It was opened in 1862 by the Bergisch-Märkische Eisenbahn...
-Langenberg
Velbert-Langenberg station
Velbert-Langenberg station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line and is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 5 station...
-Neviges
Velbert-Neviges station
Velbert-Neviges station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line and is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 5 station...
-Wuppertal, which is an attractive line to commuters. The old town of Velbert has no railway connection left. In 2011 most of the former railway line within the town was converted to a cyclepath. The former station buildings at Velbert-West and Velbert-Central are now restaurants, and the station at Velbert-Tönisheide is disused. All three were on the discontinued Niederberg Railway (Wülfrath
Wülfrath
Wülfrath is a town in the district of Mettmann , in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:The town is situated on the mountain spurs of the Bergische Land, between the Rhine, Ruhr and Wupper rivers. It is located in the central part of the Berg region, approx...
-Velbert-Heiligenhaus
Heiligenhaus
Heiligenhaus is a town in the district of Mettmann, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the suburban Rhine-Ruhr area. It lies between Düsseldorf and Essen.The town is twinned with Basildon and Mansfield of the United Kingdom....
–Kettwig). The operational stations serving the city are Langenberg
Velbert-Langenberg station
Velbert-Langenberg station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line and is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 5 station...
, Neviges
Velbert-Neviges station
Velbert-Neviges station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line and is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 5 station...
, Nierenhof
Velbert-Nierenhof station
Velbert-Nierenhof station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line and is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 5 station....
and Rosenhügel
Velbert-Rosenhügel station
Velbert-Rosenhügel station is located in the city of Velbert in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is on the Wuppertal-Vohwinkel–Essen-Überruhr line...
.
Velbert also used to have a tram service, and was the meeting point of tramlines from Heidhausen, Neviges, Wülfrath and Hösel with Heiligenhaus. Nowadays a number of bus routes connect Velbert to the surrounding cities. The city belongs to the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr
Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr
The Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr is the public transport association covering the area of the Rhine-Ruhr megalopolis in Germany...
.
International relations
Velbert is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
- ChâtelleraultChâtelleraultChâtellerault is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in France.It is located to the north of Poitou, and the residents are called Châtelleraudais.-Geography:...
, France, since 1965 - CorbyCorbyCorby Town is a town and borough located in the county of Northamptonshire. Corby Town is 23 miles north-east of the county town, Northampton. The borough had a population of 53,174 at the 2001 Census; the town on its own accounted for 49,222 of this figure...
, England, since 1966
Since 1979, these three cities have been joined in a rare three-way partnership.
Velbert also has connections with Thesprotia
Thesprotia
Thesprotia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the Epirus region. Its capital is the town of Igoumenitsa. It is named after the Thesprotians, an ancient Greek tribe that inhabited the region in antiquity.-History:...
in Greece and Hacibektas
Hacibektas
Hacıbektaş, formerly Karahüyük, is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 11,929 of which 5,169 live in the town of Hacıbektaş. Located in Cappadocia, the district covers an area of , and the average...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Buildings
- Wallfahrtsdom ("Pilgrimage Cathedral") in Neviges
- Schloss Hardenberg in Neviges
- Historical town centres in Neviges and Langenberg
- Transmission towers in LangenbergSender LangenbergThe Langenberg transmission tower is a broadcasting station that transmits MW, FM and TV signals. It is located in Langenberg, Velbert, Germany and has had a very turbulent history since its inauguration...
for MW, FM and TV (303.7 m and 170m high)