View source for Netphen

{{Infobox German place
|type               = Stadt
|name              = Netphen
|image_coa            = Wappen Netphen.svg
|coordinates       = {{coord|50|54|53|N|8|6|0|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan          = Netphen in SI.svg
|state        = Nordrhein-Westfalen
|region  = Arnsberg
|district             = Siegen-Wittgenstein
|image_photo = Netphen.jpg
|elevation              = 260 - 676
|area            = 137.39
|postal_code               = 57250
|area_code           = 02738
|licence               = SI
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 9 70 032
|website           = [https://www.netphen.de/ www.netphen.de]
|mayor             = Paul Wagener<ref>[https://www.wahlergebnisse.nrw/kommunalwahlen/2020/index_bm.shtml Wahlergebnisse in NRW Kommunalwahlen 2020], Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, accessed 30 June 2021.</ref>
|leader_term       = 2020&ndash;25
}}
'''Netphen''' ({{IPA|de|ˈnɛtfən}}) is a town in the [[Siegen-Wittgenstein]] district, in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], [[Germany]]. It lies on the river [[Sieg (river)|Sieg]], roughly 7&nbsp;km northeast of [[Siegen]].

==Geography==

===Location===
Netphen lies on the [[Rothaargebirge]]'s southern slope and forms the natural boundary of the ''Wittgensteiner Land''. The municipal area is made up of many dales and mountain ridges. Northeast of the constituent community of Walpersdorf lies the source of the river [[Sieg (river)|Sieg]] and in the Lahnhof – another constituent community whose name takes the definite article – lies the source of the river [[Lahn]].

===Population development===
<small>(in each case at 31 December)</small>
*1998 – 25,027
*1999 – 25,048
*2000 – 25,034
*2001 – 25,038
*2002 – 25,078
*2003 – 25,117
*2004 – 24,855
*2024 – 23.393 (as per 2025-06-29) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Netphen in Zahlen (Stadt Netphen) |url=https://www.netphen.de/index.php?FID=3054.51.1&object=tx%7C3054.51.1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback-api.archive.org/save/https://www.netphen.de/index.php?FID=3054.51.1&object=tx%7C3054.51.1 |archive-date=2025-06-29 |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=Website of the "Bürgerbüro" Netphen (public administrative office of Netphen)}}</ref>

==Constituent communities==
[[Image:Stadtgliederung Netphen.png|thumb|left|290px|Constituent communities]]

===Afholderbach===
This constituent community of Netphen has a population of around 205 as of the 31 of December 2013. 
The area is around 5.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
The first mention of the area was on the 13 of February 1345 as "afelterbach".<ref>Siegener Urkundenbuch Band I, Siegen, 1887, S. 176–179, Nr. 288.</ref>

===Beienbach===
The constituent community of Beienbach lies at the end of a small side dale of the Sieg between Netphen and Deuz and is fringed by [[spruce]] and [[broadleaf forest]] on the heights and by agricultural areas as well as old "fruit meadows" (where various fruit trees grow) right at the edge of the community. It is also crossed by the Katzenbach. It had its first documentary mention in 1299.

===Brauersdorf===
Brauersdorf lies near the Netphen Leisure Park (''Netphener Freizeitpark'') with its [[swimming pool]], [[Ice rink|ice skating rink]], fitness and sport centre, [[miniature golf]] course, and so on. Furthermore, the community lies right at the [[Obernau (Sieg)|Obernau]] Dam. [[Image:Wald obernau brauersdorf.jpg|thumb|Brauersdorf]]

===Deuz===
Owing to its advantageous location, Deuz became the first industrial community in the old ''[[Amt (subnational entity)|Amt]]'' of Netphen. Moving the Irle iron foundry from [[Siegen#Siegen's six boroughs and communities belonging to each|Kaan-Marienborn]] to Deuz is viewed as an economic birth. Over the years, further businesses have set up shop in Deuz.

===Dreis-Tiefenbach===
Dreis-Tiefenbach is, with its population of about 5300, Netphen's biggest constituent community, lying about 262 to 350&nbsp;m above [[sea level]] on an area of some 7.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. It is roughly 6&nbsp;km from [[Siegen]] and 4&nbsp;km from Netphen (main town). Dreis-Tiefenbach lies on Federal Highway (''Bundesstraße'') 62, which joins with the ''Hüttentalstraße''. The community's environs consist of relatively broad, thick mixed [[forest]] and broad [[meadows]]. Dreis-Tiefenbach was likely once settled by [[Celts]]. It had its first documentary mention in 1239.

===Eckmannshausen===
{{empty section|date=January 2014}}

===Eschenbach===
{{empty section|date=January 2014}}

===Frohnhausen===
Frohnhausen lies roughly 2&nbsp;km from Netphen (main town). As of 2005, some 470 people live there. The community ranges from 350 to 540&nbsp;m above sea level, and roughly 70% of it is wooded, with the rest made up of fields, meadows, and built-up areas.

The heart of the village consists mainly of [[Timber framing|half-timbered]] houses protected as monuments and built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

===Grissenbach===
Grissenbach lies in Netphen's east, right at the foot of the Rothaargebirge Nature Park. As with Frohnhausen, 70% of the community is wooded, with the rest made up of fields, meadows, and built-up areas. The community ranges from 336 to 530&nbsp;m above sea level, and has an area of 4.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

As of June 2005, Grissenbach is home to 894 people, giving it a population density of 194/km<sup>2</sup>, considerably lower than the average for the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] (about 230/km<sup>2</sup>).

===Hainchen===
{{historical populations
|title = Population development
|1939|439
|1975|768
|2005|1000+
}}
Hainchen's area encompasses 10.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, 6.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of which is wooded, with the rest made up of meadows and built-up areas. The boundary runs for roughly 8&nbsp;km along the border with [[Hesse]]. As well, Hainchen borders on the town of [[Bad Laasphe]] in the north and in the south on the community of [[Wilnsdorf]]. The difference in elevation between the entrance to the community and the exit from it at the Hessian border is 96&nbsp;m (384 to 480&nbsp;m).

From the entrance to the Geiersgrundbach Valley to the boundary with Bad Laasphe, the difference in elevation is 190&nbsp;m.

The community has developed from one of small [[handicraft]] businesses and independent farmers to an industrial community nowadays, with two prefabricated house companies, one mechanical workshop and four service-sector businesses setting up shop here. Furthermore, there are four businesses using agricultural land, two of which are major landholders.

All together, there are 129 registered jobs in the community. The overwhelming majority of workers commute to neighbouring areas (Greater Siegen, neighbouring areas in Hesse). An advantage to the community is the nearby [[Bundesautobahn 45|A&nbsp;45]], only 14&nbsp;km away and reachable in a matter of minutes. The advantageous transport links have also had something to do with revitalizing the hiking trails along the ''Rothaarsteig'', 7&nbsp;km of which run through Hainchen.

Hainchen also has a [[castle]], the ''Burg Hainchen'', built in the heights with a moat<!---I presume that's what a "Höhenwasserburg" is.--->. It has been standing at least since 1290, the year when it was first mentioned in a document.

===Welgersdorf===
Some 400 people live in Welgersdorf. Things to see there include the ''Mahnglockenturm'' (bell tower), the ''Backes'' (an old bakehouse), the old mill and Saint Elisabeth's Chapel. Here, too, the ''Wurstekommission'' – "Sausage Commission" – has been represented since 1919 (this is an organization dedicated mostly to scaring away evil spirits at [[New Year's Eve]]; they get their name from the door-to-door sausage donations that they seek for the attendant festival).

===Herzhausen===
Herzhausen was for a long time an independent community, but is now a constituent community of Netphen. Lying in the middle of the Rothaargebirge, Herzhausen is even now still shaped by [[agriculture]] and [[forestry]] as well as ancient Siegerland traditions such as the ''Hauberg'' (a long-standing practice of coöperative forestry in this region) or the ''Martinsfeuer'', or Saint Martin's Fire, a custom on [[Saint Martin of Tours|Saint Martin's]] Day (11 November). The high point of the year is the yearly [[shooting sports|shooting]] festival, known far beyond the regional bounds.

Herzhausen lies on the state highway (''Landesstraße'') between Dreis-Tiefenbach and [[Hilchenbach]]. In 2005, a citizens' club was founded. Also once found in Herzhausen was the district [[garbage dump]]. The storage of household rubbish there, however, is no longer allowed, and it is now used as an earth dump. Further trash is now sorted for [[incineration]] and forwarded.

===Irmgarteichen===
Roughly 900 people call Irmgarteichen home. It was once a community with great (ecclesiastical) importance. In Irmgarteichen, many clubs have had a hand in shaping the community as it is today. Very important rites are Drette Krestach and the Osterfeuer of the Hermedeicher Jonge.

===Nenkersdorf===
[[Image:MühleNenkersdorf.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Mill in Nenkersdorf]]Nenkersdorf lies east of the constituent community of Grissenbach. The historic watermill on the eastern edge of the community is said to be particularly worth seeing.

===Lahnhof===
[[Image:Lahnquelle Lahnhof.jpg|thumb|Source of the Lahn in the Lahnhof]]The Lahnhof, whose name takes the definite article (always ''der/den/dem Lahnhof, des Lahnhof(e)s'' in [[German language|German]]), lies in the southeast Rothaargebirge at a height of 607&nbsp;m above sea level. Its name first appeared in a document in 1333. Right nearby rise the rivers Lahn, Sieg and Eder. The pristine nature, to say nothing of the outstanding views when the weather is good, has led the Lahnhof to become, just as was also true one hundred years ago, one of the best loved local outing destinations from near and far.

===Oelgershausen===
{{empty section|date=January 2014}}

===Salchendorf===
Since at least 1920 there has been in Salchendorf a youth association called the ''Wurstekommission'' (see Helgersdorf above) which has about 50 active members, 14 of whom are on the council of elders. In the middle of the village has stood since 1995 the Wurstekommission Memorial.

A Salchendorf portal is in the planning stage.

===Sohlbach===
{{empty section|date=January 2014}}

===Unglinghausen===
{{empty section|date=January 2014}}

===Walpersdorf===
[[Image:Walpersdorf.jpg|thumb|200px|Walpersdorf]]Walpersdorf had its first documentary mention in 1344. It is well known for its [[charcoal kiln]]s and nature reserve with its [[snowflake (plant)|snowflake]] meadows. Geographically, Walpersdorf, the first place on the river Sieg, lies at the edge of the ''[[Rothaarsteig]]'' hiking trail. About 3&nbsp;km away rise the rivers Sieg, Lahn and Eder.

===Werthenbach===
{{Redirect|Werthenbach|the river of North RhineWestphalia|Werthenbach (Sieg)}}
Wertenbach was once an independent community. It came into being sometime between 900 and 1300 and has an adjusted area of 9.37&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, meaning that the area was once greater, but early in the 18th century, former border forests and protected woodlands belonging to the local lord were merged with neighbouring communities.

[[Werthenbach]], unlike other constituent communities' names like Sohlbach, Beienbach, Grissenbach, and so on, is not the community's original name, but rather it was once called ''Werthenbrecht''. The placename element ''brecht'' that occurred in the name before it was corrupted can be compared to the common mountain name ''Bracht'', and in the Rhenish Slate Mountains can still be found as a description for newer "clearing" communities.

Werthenbach's earliest mentions:
* 1336 Hartmann von Wertinbrecht
* 1343 Hartmann von Wertinbracht
* 1344 Wernckenbracht.

In 1343, the Lords of Bicken relinquished an estate (actually a ''Hauberg'' – see Herzhausen above) to the villagers in what was then called Wertinbracht as long as they paid a yearly fee for this favour to the Monastery of Keppel. The earnings from the Bicken estates in 1447 amounted to a "tithe of 7 Malter of corn, 11 Malter of oats" (a Malter being "15 pieces", so 105 and 165 respectively). Eleven houses stood on monastery land in 1566.

A few meadows in Werthenbach have names bearing witness to the old landlords' ownership or rights. ''Zehntwiese'', for instance, refers to ''Zehnten'' – [[tithe]]s.

The ''Herrenberg'' (mountain) has a name suggesting lordly ownership ("Herr" means "lord").

The local "Hauberg" forestry coöperative, popularly called "Kloster" ("Monastery") evokes the Keppel Monastery's historical ownership of the land.

In Werthenbach, on the street "Am Heller", 5 holiday cottages are to be built by 2007. Despite considerable protest from some quarters of the village community, the holiday village was approved on 27 March 2006 by the Netphen Town Development Board. Critics hold that it is unfair that rather than private houses, holiday cottages are being built on these lots. They will be built by a local prefabricated house company.

==History==
The earliest mention of this region of Siegen-Wittgenstein goes back to the 11th century. Here, as in most parts of the old Siegen district, the princely House of Nassau is named as the local overlords.

In 1215, the Lords of Hain were mentioned as being at Hainchen Castle.

From 1635 to 1637 raged the [[Bubonic plague|Plague]].

In 1742, Netphen, like all other places north of the Lahn, passed to Prince Wilhelm Karl Friso of Orange, Prince of [[Diez, Germany|Diez]] and heir to the [[Dutch Republic|United Netherlands]], thereby making the Principality of Nassau-Siegen part of the [[Netherlands]].

[[Napoleon]] added the [[Siegerland]] to the [[Grand Duchy of Berg]] as part of his rearrangement of Germany. This change was, however, undone in 1813 and Netphen once again became Orange domain. In 1815, the House of Orange forwent all its German possessions and Netphen passed to [[Prussia]] in 1816.

On 1 January 1969, as part of municipal reform, the greater community of Netphen came into being. On 30 June 1997, Netphen's population reached the 25,000 mark, thereby earning it town status. This was not made official, however, until just before the turn of the millennium, on 1 January 2000.

==Politics==
===Mayors===
* 1969–1989: Gerhard Josef Zimmermann (CDU)
* 1989–1994: Helmut Buttler (SPD)
* 1994–2009: Rüdiger Bartsch (independent)
* 2009–present: Paul Wagener (independent)

===Town council===
{{update section|date=June 2021}}
The town council's 38 seats are apportioned thus, in accordance with municipal elections held on May 25, 2014, and September 21, 2014.
*[[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|CDU]] 15 seats
*[[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]] 10 seats
*[[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]] 2 seats
*[[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]] 1 seats
*UWG 5 seats
* [[The Left (Germany)|Die Linke]] 1 seat
<small>Note: UWG is a citizens' coalition.</small>

===Coat of arms===
Netphen's civic [[coat of arms]] might heraldically be described thus: Per fess, azure semee of billets a demi-lion Or armed and langued gules and Or a boar saltant sable langued gules.

The lion is from Nassau's arms. The springing boar is copied from the oldest preserved seal of the Siegerland Court, from 1467. It belonged to the "Schöffen tzo Netfe ind Irmgarteichen", or the Jurymen at Netphen and Irmgarteichen. The Netphen symbol has its origins in the old [[Yule]] festival, in which the boar was sacrificed to the gods.

===Town partnerships===
* {{Flagicon|Poland}} [[Żagań]], [[Poland]], since 1995
* {{Flagicon|France}} [[Quiévy]], [[France]]
* {{Flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Vrchlabí]], [[Czech Republic]]

==Culture and sightseeing==

===Museums===

====Heimatmuseum====
Since 1996 there has existed in the local history museum a great exhibition room with exhibits from prehistory and early history. The focus is on the Netpherland economy with [[Tanning (leather)|tanning]], charcoal making, the ''Hauberg'' forestry system, the practice of ''Hude'' (&nbsp;≈&nbsp;[[silvopasture]]) and [[beekeeping]]. The same building also houses the cultural and tourism office.

===Buildings===

====Martinikirche====
The [[Martini Church (Netphen)|Martini Church]] is a hall church from the 13th century. Beginning at dusk and into the night, the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] tower is lit up.

====Obernautalsperre====
The Obernau Reservoir, which holds 15&nbsp;000&nbsp;000&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> of water is the biggest drinking water [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]] in the Siegerland. A track leading all the way round the reservoir invites hikers. Towering over the reservoir is the ''Alte Burg'', or Old Castle, a "flight castle" (one used mainly for retreat or refuge) and a place of worship from [[La Tène culture|La Tène]] times about 500 BC. Every [[New Year's Eve]], a ''Volkslauf'' (&nbsp;≈&nbsp;fun run) is held there.

====Wasserburg Hainchen====
In Hainchen is found the reconstructed ''Wasserburg Hainchen'', a [[moat]]-ringed castle.

====Nenkersdorf Watermill====
The [[watermill|mill]]'s history goes back to the 12th century. It belonged until the 14th century to the Lords (''Schlossherren'') of Hainchen. At that time, the lord gave it to his tenant. Since that time, for more than five generations, the mill has been under the Weber family's ownership.

====Walpersdorf charcoal kiln====
Making charcoal is a tradition that goes back a long time in the Siegerland, owing mainly to another long tradition, [[iron]] [[smelting]]. In Walpersdorf is found the Siegerland's only charcoal kiln that is still used. The charcoal is made out of [[oak]], [[birch]] and [[beech]], yielding roughly one tonne of charcoal for every four of wood.

===Sport===
Netphen has a leisure park with a [[tennis]] hall, an ice stadium and an indoor swimming pool. The tennis hall and ice stadium were completed in October 1976, and on 14 May 1977 opened together with the indoor swimming pool. The outdoor swimming pool followed a short time later. Netphen's biggest sport club is the TVE.

===Culinary specialities===
''Riewekooche'', a kind of [[potato]] bread, is the local contribution to the world of food.

==Economy and infrastructure==

===Established businesses===

====AMOVA====
The plant for [https://www.amova.eu AMOVA] manufactures a variety of goods handling systems, for the aviation, port logistics, and metal fabrication industries.

====Firma Walzen Irle GmbH====
[[Walzen Irle]] GmbH is a roller manufacturer. The traditional business can look back on a 180-year history, and was the first company in Germany to make chilled [[cast iron]] rollers. Today Walzen Irle belongs to the Irle Group and is a 100% daughter company of [[Irle-Deuz]] GmbH.

====Flender-Flux====
[[Flender-Flux]] is a traditional business in Deuz with a 240-year history whose main business is in manufacturing metal roof systems.

==== Deuzer Maschinenfabrik Heitze GmbH & Co. ====
The firm began on 1 May 1939 as a limited partnership for the purpose of making machines and apparatuses and also pursuing trade in the same, under the name ''Maschinenfabrik M Heitze, Kommanditgesellschaft'', and under the personally liable partner, millwrighting master Martin Heitze, the [[engineer]] Edmund Dietrich and the director Ernst Zimmermann.

By late 1939, the first works hall with a floor area of 600&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> was in place, and it was equipped with 3 [[lathe]]s, 1 drilling machine, 1 handheld [[welding]] site and 5 millwrighting workplaces. Machine production did not, however, begin before the war broke out that same year.

In 1939, the workforce was 6 persons. By late 1945, this had risen to 8. The first machines built at the plant were ones for [[woodworking]], such as [[firewood]] cutting machines, carpenter's [[circular saw]]s, wood drilling machines and long [[band saw]]s. This production stopped in 1945 after more than 200 machines had been completed.

When Mr. Honig joined the firm after the [[Second World War]] as a constructing engineer, and later a shareholder, his connection to his former employer, the Waldrich firm in Siegen, led to the company's beginning production, with the Eugen Waldrich firm in [[Bad Godesberg]], of [[glass]] pane finishing machines late in 1945.

The programme was based on folding-arm polishing machines, combination grinding and polishing machines, horizontal grinding machines, glass drilling machines and groove cutting machines. Production continued until 1965, shutting down only slowly after having fulfilled the glass industry's backlog.

====Bombardier Transportation====
In Netphen lies a [[Bombardier Transportation]] works at which [[bogie]]s are made.

===Transport===
[[Image:Erster Benzin-Omnibus der Welt.jpg|thumb|The world's first petrol-powered bus on the world's first busline. The destinations are clearly mounted on the display board at the cantrail.]]
The main road to the town is Federal Highway (''Bundesstraße'') B 62, crossing the municipal area from southwest to northeast. At Dreis-Tiefenbach is an interchange with the Siegen municipal [[Autobahn]] (Hüttentalstraße).

For goods transport, there was once a [[railway]] line that ran from Irmgarteichen to Siegen-Weidenau. It was abandoned in 2004, except for works runs between Walzen Irle's works.

A short stretch of the ''Rothaarbahn'' railway cuts across the municipal area in the northeast, but there is no stop.

The world's first motorised [[bus]] route ran through the town, operated by the ''Netphener Omnibus-Gesellschaft'' as [[Siegen]]-Netphen-[[Deuz]]. It opened on 18 March 1895 with one bus powered by a single-cylinder [[petrol]] engine supplied by [[Benz & Cie]]. Local passenger transport now is supplied by ''Verkehrsgemeinschaft Westfalen-Süd'' (VGWS)(South Westphalia Transport Community) bus routes.

The town is connected to regional air travel through the [[Siegerland Airport]] in Burbach, southwest of Netphen.

== Notable people ==

* [[Paul Scheuerpflug]] (1896–1945), German officer, most recently Generalleutnant in the Second World War
* [[Klaus-Peter Thaler]] (born 1949), cyclist

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Netphen}}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.deuz.de/ Deuz] {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.beienbach.de/ Beienbach] {{in lang|de}}
* [https://www.irmgarteichen.net/ Irmgarteichen] {{in lang|de}}
* [http://oelgershausen.de/ Oelgershausen] {{in lang|de}}
* [https://www.deuma.de/ Deuzer Maschinenfabrik Heitze GmbH & Co.] {{in lang|de}}

{{Cities and towns in Siegen-Wittgenstein (district)}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Rothaar Mountains]]
[[Category:Siegen-Wittgenstein]]
[[Category:Siegerland]]