Overath | |
|---|---|
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 Coat of arms | |
Location of Overath within Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district  | |
  Overath  Overath | |
| Coordinates:50°57′N7°18′E / 50.950°N 7.300°E /50.950; 7.300 | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Admin. region | Köln |
| District | Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis |
| Subdivisions | 7 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2020–25) | Christoph Nicodemus[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 68.8 km2 (26.6 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 348 m (1,142 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 70 m (230 ft) |
| Population (2023-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 27,489 |
| • Density | 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 51491 |
| Dialling codes | 02206, 02204, 02207 |
| Vehicle registration | GL |
| Website | www.overath.de |
Overath (German:[ˈoːvəˌʁaːt]ⓘ;Kölsch:Ovveroth[ˈɔvəˌʁɔːt]) is a town in theRheinisch-Bergischerdistrict ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia,Germany.
Overath is located about 25 km east ofCologne, in theBergisches Land. Despite the reclassification as a 'Stadt' (town, though the German understanding leans towards city) years ago due to surpassing the relevant population threshold, the former appellation Gemeinde (parish) seems more appropriate (particularly to the inhabitants) due to the spread-out villages it consists of.
The main settlement is in theAgger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. Thekleine Heckberg (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the wholeRheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
Neighbouring cities areRösrath in the West,Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West,Lindlar in the North-East,Engelskirchen in the East andMuch,Neunkirchen-Seelscheid andLohmar in the South.
Overath is divided into 7 parts.
When first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" (after the Agger river). Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing (GermanRodung) the name changed to "Ouerode" (about 1280), "Ovverode" (1304), "Overadt" (1582), and finally became "Overath".
In 1939, the population of Overath was 6,500. In 1946, it already exceeded 10,500 and continued to grow to 15,500 in 1970. The area of the community was extended in 1975, which increased the population to over 20,000.
Since then it has risen further up to 27,106 in December 2005.
TheCatholic church is devoted toSaint Walpurga (Heilige Walburga). Until 1803 theBenedictines had a monastery inCyriax, a subsidiary ofMichaelsberg Abbey atSiegburg.
TheCatholic church in Heiligenhaus is devoted toSaint Roch (Heiliger Rochus).
Marialinden's church (St. Mariä Heimsuchung) is apilgrimage destination forSaint Mary.
TheB 55 undB 484 federal roads (GermanBundesstraßen) as well as theA 4Autobahn pass through area of the town. TheA 4 has got two exits to Overath,Overath-Untereschbach andOverath.
TheCologne Bonn Airport is reachable within 25 minutes.
The railway station in Overath connects the town withCologne andMarienheide. The train heading for Cologne departs every 30 minutes, the train heading for Marienheide departs every 60 minutes. Cologne is reachable by train in within 35 minutes.
These traffic connections, together with rural surroundings, make Overath a popular place to live forcommuters.
There is no hospital in Overath. The nearest hospitals are in Bergisch Gladbach and Engelskirchen.
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2021) |
Thecity council consists of 38 members. The current breakdown, from the general elections held September 26, 2004, is as follows:
| Party | 2004 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| CDU | 19 | 22 |
| SPD | 9 | 8 |
| FDP | 6 | 5 |
| Grüne | 4 | 3 |
Christoph Nicodemus was electedmayor (GermanBürgermeister) in September 2020, representing CDU, Greens and FDP.
Thecoat of arms of Overath was only created on March 3, 1938. It consists of two areas:
Colne Valley, England, United Kingdom
Pérenchies, France
(in German)Cities and municipalities inRheinisch-Bergischer Kreis | ||
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