Schwerte
- REDIRECT Template:Infobox German place
Schwerte is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. About 48,000 people live there.[when?] Schwerte is in the Ruhr valley just north of the mountainous Sauerland region. The Ruhr river runs through the center of Schwerte.[1] Schwerte is a popular cycling destination for tourists.[1]
History
Schwerte received civic rights in the 12th century. It was a member of the medieval Hanseatic League. During World War II Schwerte housed a branch of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The camp held 710 prisoners.[2]
Controversy
In 2015 Schwerte officials have proposed housing refugees at the site of the former concentration camp.[3] The plan has been criticized as a bad idea by many Germans including the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia.[3] Officials say the buildings were built after the war and should not be a problem. Refugees coming to Germany include those from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Kosovo and Serbia.[3]
Schwerte Media
Schwerte, Altes Rathaus, heute Ruhrtalmuseum, Blick von Nordwesten
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Schwerte". .Ruhr Tourismus. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ↑ "Schwerte". Förderverein Buchenwald. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Soraya Nelson. "A German Plan: House Refugees In An Old Concentration Camp". NPR. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
Other websites
Media related to Schwerte at Wikimedia Commons
- Official site (in German)
- Heimatverein Ergste Archived 2014-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Internet site of the local history society of Ergste