The original name of the city wasGladbach, by which it is still often known today. To distinguish it from another town of the same name (the presentBergisch Gladbach), it took the nameMünchen-Gladbach ('Monks’ Gladbach', in reference to the abbey[4]) in 1888. Between 1933 and 1950, it was writtenMünchen Gladbach' (short:M. Gladbach), without a hyphen. This spelling was seen as potentially misleading, as it could imply that Gladbach was a borough ofMunich (German:München), so consequently the name was changed toMönchen-Gladbach in 1950 (and subsequentlyMönchengladbach in 1960) to avoid confusion.[citation needed]
The town was founded aroundGladbach Abbey in 974. It was named after theGladbach, a narrow brook which mostly runs underground today. The abbey and adjoining villages became a town in the 14th century.[citation needed] The town ofRheydt is located nearby and is incorporated intoMönchengladbach today.[citation needed]
The history of Mönchengladbach began with the construction of the Gladbach Minster and the founding of an abbey in the year 974 byGero, Archbishop of Cologne, and his companion, the monk Sandrad ofTrier.[citation needed]
To improve the settlement, the monks created a market north of the church in the 12th century. Craftsmen settled near the market. Gladbach received itstown charter in 1364–1366. The "town" erected a town wall made of stone, which had to be maintained by the citizens. Remains of the wall can be found at the Geroweiher, as can remains of the "Thick Tower", an old fortified tower at the Waldhausener hill. Until the end of the 18th century, the city belonged to the department ofGrevenbroich within theDuchy of Jülich.[citation needed]
On 4 October 1794, the armed forces of theFrench Revolution marched into the town, one day before the fortress Jülich had been handed over. When the Holy Roman EmperorFrancis II ceded the left bank of the riverRhine to France with theTreaty of Lunéville in 1801, Gladbach fell under French laws suppressingclericalism. This was the end of the abbey; the monastery was closed. On 31 October 1802, the last 31 monks left the monastery. The contents of the tremendous abbey library, well known outside Germany, were scattered or destroyed.[citation needed]
In 1815, Gladbach became part of theKingdom of Prussia and seat of theLandkreis Gladbach, which was dissolved in 1929. In 1815 Gladbach became seat of the Bürgermeisterei (Office of mayor), which was split in 1859 into two parts: the City of Gladbach and Office of Mayor Obergeburth. The latter was renamed to München-Gladbach-Land in 1907.[citation needed]
From 1933 through 1975, the neighborhood ofRheydt was an independent city; the split from München-Gladbach was arranged byJoseph Goebbels, who was born locally. After reuniting with Mönchengladbach, the central station (Rheydt Hauptbahnhof) kept its original name, making Mönchengladbach the only city in Germany to have two rail stations each called Hauptbahnhof.[citation needed]
In response to the 10 May 1940German invasion of Belgium, Mönchengladbach was bombed byRAF Bomber Command on the evening of 11 May. The bomber crews were attempting to interdict German troop movements on roads, intersections and rail lines in the area, especially the city's railyards. About half of the approximately 36 twin-engineRoyal Air Force (RAF) bombers reportedly hit their targets, and three were shot down.[5]: 27[6] Four people were killed on the ground, including a British woman living in Germany.[7]
Mönchengladbach's industrial ascent was mainly influenced by the development of the textile industry from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. In addition, a textile-oriented machine industry also developed.[citation needed]
After the Second World War, a major structural change began, reducing the importance of the textile industry and attracting new economic sectors. At present, only 7 percent of employees work in the once dominant textile and clothing industry (for example:Van Laack andgardeur).[citation needed]
As part of the successful diversification of the business location, local government and representatives founded the Mönchengladbach Business Development Corporation (WFMG) in 1997. WFMG and the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein have developed a five-pillar model for the future orientation of the business location. Thereafter textile and fashion, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, logistics, the creative industry and the health sector are the leading sectors for the economic future of the city of Mönchengladbach. As part of an active cluster policy, the WFMG has partly initiated its own networks for these industries.[13]
The most important employer in Mönchengladbach is theSantander Consumer Bank, which has its headquarters at Aachener Straße in Mönchengladbach's city center.
The economic structure includes:tool andspinning machines (Dörries Scharmann, Monforts, Trützschler, Schlafhorst), automatic conveyor systems, signal and system technology (Scheidt & Bachmann), transformers (SMS Meer), cables (Nexans Germany formerly Kabelwerk Rheydt), printed matter and foodstuffs.
Chocolatier Heinemann is known beyond the city limits for his cakes, pralines and baked goods, which he offers in cafés on site as well as inDüsseldorf andMunich. Furthermore,beer breweries are represented in Mönchengladbach. The Oettinger brewery produces at the site of the former Hannen brewery. The Hensen brewery has been producing a lower Rhine-type Altbier since 2015 at the formerspring of the river Gladbach in the Waldhausen district.
Especially in the 1970s and 1980s, nightlife was attractive to young party people from Düsseldorf.[citation needed] In the meantime,tourism in particular is playing a certain role. Mönchengladbach has about 40 hotels (for example: Hotel Burgund) and inns as well as ayouth hostel in the district Hardter Wald. In total there are about 2000 beds. The number of overnight stays is over 200,000 annually.[citation needed]
Mönchengladbach Airport is dominated by general aviation. There are currently no scheduled services to and from Mönchengladbach. Additionally, there are few business-charter passenger flights. In June 2015,Hugo Junkers Hangar was opened as an aviation and event facility. Airplane enthusiasts can book sightseeing flights withJunkers Ju 52 from the 1940s.[14][15] The next major international airportDüsseldorf Airport is only 20 kilometres (12 mi) away to the east.
The current mayor of Mönchengladbach is Felix Heinrichs of theSocial Democratic Party (SPD) since 2020. The most recent mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, with a runoff held on 27 September, and the results were as follows:
The Mönchengladbach city council governs the city alongside the mayor. The most recent city council election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows:
The city also has a commercial airport calledDüsseldorf Mönchengladbach. However, there are no schedule flights to and from the airport. The nearest passenger airports areDüsseldorf Airport, located 34 km (21 mi) north east, andCologne Bonn Airport, located 79 km (49 mi) south east of Mönchengladbach.
Local bus and rail transport is carried out by theNEW-AG under theVRR transport association regulations.
Mönchengladbach has a longfootball tradition. Its home club,Borussia Mönchengladbach, is one of the country's most well-known, best-supported, and successful teams. The club plays on theBorussia-Park stadium with a capacity of 54,057. The club has the sixth largestfan club in Germany, "The Foals" (Die Fohlen), with more than 50,000 active members.[when?][citation needed]
^Megargee, Geoffrey P. (2009).The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume I. Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. p. 1385.ISBN978-0-253-35328-3.
