View ofBorby [de], showing the harbour and historical town centre
Eckernförde (German pronunciation:[ɛkɐnˈføːɐ̯də]ⓘ;Danish:Egernførde, sometimes alsoEgernfjord;Low German:Eckernför, sometimes alsoEckernföör) is a city located in theKreis ofRendsburg-Eckernförde,Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. Situated on the coast of theBaltic Sea, approximately 30 km north-west ofKiel, it has a population of about 23,000. Eckernförde is a populartourist destination.[2]
The name of Eckernförde is of mixed origin, but derived from the name of a Danish castle formerly located near the current town, which is also reflected in the name of the town district ofBorby. This fortification is listed in the 13th-centuryLiber Census Daniæ (Danish Census Book) asYkærnæburgh.[3] In 1441, the town used an officialseal listing its name asEherneborgh.[4] The first syllable corresponds to the modern Danish word "egern" meaningsquirrel, while "-förde" isLow German meaningfjord.[3] The-förde ending is documented inLatinized form on two official seals used by the town in 1602 and 1624.[4] The etymology of the town's name is reflected in the presence of a squirrel in the town's coat of arms, a feature first documented by the 1441 seal.
In 1197, Eckernförde was mentioned in a written manner for the first time.[5]
Eckernförde was mentioned in the year 1302 for the first time explicitly as a city, but in 1288 the inhabitants were already calledoppidani (city citizen).
During theFirst War of Schleswig two Danish ships, theChristian VIII and the frigateGefion tried to land in Eckernförde in April 1849. They were cannonaded from the shore. TheChristian VIII exploded, while theGefion surrendered and was captured. Theodor Preusser, the commander in chief of the southern troops, died while rescuing Danish troops from theChristian VIII.
On November 13, the1872 Baltic Sea flood hit the coast of theBaltic Sea fromDenmark toPomerania. Of all the German coastal settlements, Eckernförde was most heavily damaged due to its location onEckernförde Bay which is wide open to the north-east. The entire town was flooded, 78 houses were destroyed, 138 damaged and 112 families became homeless.
TheCount Saint-Germain was buried in Eckernförde near St. Nicolai Church. His grave was destroyed by the 1872storm surge.
In 1934, the seaside resort Borby was incorporated.
In the early 20th century, Eckernförde was known for its harbour, fishing, trade in agricultural products, and manufacture of salt and iron goods.[5]
AllGerman Navysubmarines form part of1st Ubootgeschwader and are stationed in Eckernförde. It is the home ofBEHN, an alcoholic beverage family company, founded in 1792. The headquarters ofSIG Sauer are also located there.
Schools in the city include the Richard-Vosgerau-Schule. The Richard Vosgerau School is a public elementary school in Eckernförde. The address is 26 Bergstraße, 24340 Eckernförde. The current head of the school is Mrs. Koepke. The school building consists of a white main house and a small outbuilding as well as a football field and a sports hall. In the schoolyard, the school children enjoy various activities, ranging from slides to climbing. Other schools in Eckernförde include:
TheKiel–Flensburg railway runs through the town with trains stopping atEckernförde station, situated to the west of the town centre. The town's main bus station, central omnibus station (German:ZOB), is directly connected to the train station.The operating company of the railway network isDeutsche Bahn.Eckernförde has 4 bus routes for urban connections operated by single-deck buses. Eckernförde has no trams or trolley-buses. For transportation, the statewide Schleswig-Holstein-fare applies. A taxi stand is located at the bus station. Eckernförde has two bike rental outlets, one is located near the beach and one is in the pedestrian area.
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