Achim | |
|---|---|
 Saint Lawrence's Church, 12th c. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
Location of Achim within Verden district  | |
 Location of Achim | |
  Achim  Achim | |
| Coordinates:53°03′55″N09°02′03″E / 53.06528°N 9.03417°E /53.06528; 9.03417 | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Lower Saxony |
| District | Verden |
| Subdivisions | 9 districts |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2021–26) | Rainer Ditzfeld[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 68.06 km2 (26.28 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population (2023-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 32,961 |
| • Density | 484.3/km2 (1,254/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 28832 |
| Dialling codes | 04202 |
| Vehicle registration | VER |
Achim (German pronunciation:[ˈaxɪm]ⓘ;Northern Low Saxon:Achem), commonlyAchim bei Bremen, is a municipality and the largest town (population 30,059 in December 2006) in thedistrict of Verden, inLower Saxony,Germany. It is situated on the right bank of theWeser, approx. 17 km northwest ofVerden, and 16 km southeast ofBremen.
Achim lies in theWeser Depression, an Urstromtal. The area surrounding Achim is primarily moorland in its natural state. It has an elevation between 12 and 40 metres above sea level, and an area of 65.1 km2.
For the Badener mountains and Oil Camp, seeBaden, Lower Saxony.
The first recorded mention of Achim came in 1091 as Arahem. The controlling heights of the Linden Mountains, south of Bremen, on which the old Arahem leaned, was a cult- and court-location. Achim was a meeting place of old Saxon courts. The court met three times annually.
The Christian missionaries erected a baptismal church in Achim in the 12th century; it was the predecessor of St. Laurentius Church in Achim, built in 1257. Then it belonged to thePrince-Archbishopric of Bremen.
In the course of theWar on Lunenburgian Succession (1370–1388) Achim was set on fire in 1381 because of the fights betweenDuke Albrecht of Saxe-Wittenberg, Duke-designate of Brunswick and Lunenburg, and the Prince-Archbishop ofBremen,Albert II, titular Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg.
From 1626 Achim was controlled alternately by Danes and Swedes. In 1648 the Prince-Archbishopric was transformed into theDuchy of Bremen, which was first ruled inpersonal union by the Swedish Crown and — interrupted by a Danish occupation (1712–1715) — from 1715 on by theHouse of Hanover. During theThird Silesian or Seven Years' War (precipitated by the Anglo-French and Indian War) it was controlled by France. In 1807 the ephemericKingdom of Westphalia annexed the Duchy of Bremen, including Achim, beforeFrance annexed it in 1810. Achim became the capital of a homonymous canton within theDépartement des Bouches-du-Weser. In 1813 the Duchy was restored to theElectorate of Hanover. In 1814 the Electorate was upgraded to theKingdom of Hanover at theCongress of Vienna. In 1823 Hanover incorporated the Duchy in areal union and the ducal territory, including Achim, became part of theStade Region, established in 1823.
A train station has existed in Achim since 1847. Achim lies along the track betweenBremen andHannover.
Achim is home to several international companies including Vitakraft and Desma shoe machines.Mercedes-Benz,Coca-Cola andAmazon.com, Inc. also have branch offices in the city.
Notable people that were born or lived in Achim include:
Towns and municipalities inVerden (district) | ||
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