Falkenberg (German pronunciation: [ˈfalkŋ̍ˌbɛʁk] ) is a town in the Elbe-Elster district, in southwestern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated near the river Schwarze Elster, 16 km east of Torgau, and 13 km northwest of Bad Liebenwerda.

Falkenberg/Elster
Church in Falkenberg/Elster
Church in Falkenberg/Elster
Coat of arms of Falkenberg/Elster
Location of Falkenberg/Elster within Elbe-Elster district
Bad LiebenwerdaCrinitzDoberlug-KirchhainElsterwerdaFalkenbergFichtwaldFinsterwaldeGorden-StaupitzGroßthiemigGrödenHeidelandHerzbergHirschfeldHohenbuckoHohenleipischKremitzaueLebusaLichterfeld-SchacksdorfMassen-NiederlausitzMerzdorfMühlbergPlessaRöderlandRückersdorfSallgastSchildaSchliebenSchönbornSchönewaldeSchradenSonnewaldeTröbitzUebigau-WahrenbrückBrandenburg
Falkenberg/Elster is located in Germany
Falkenberg/Elster
Falkenberg/Elster
Falkenberg/Elster is located in Brandenburg
Falkenberg/Elster
Falkenberg/Elster
Coordinates: 51°34′59″N 13°13′56″E / 51.58306°N 13.23222°E / 51.58306; 13.23222
CountryGermany
StateBrandenburg
DistrictElbe-Elster
Municipal assoc.Liebenwerda
Subdivisions5 Ortsteile
Government
 • Mayor (2020–25) Stephan Bawey[1]
Area
 • Total81.80 km2 (31.58 sq mi)
Elevation
86 m (282 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total6,263
 • Density77/km2 (200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
04895
Dialling codes035365
Vehicle registrationEE, FI, LIB
Websitewww.falkenberg-elster.de

History

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It was first mentioned in 1251. In 1547 the Battle of Mühlberg was decided in the vicinity of Falkenberg when the Saxon prince-elector Johann Friedrich I. was taken prisoner. The village itself remained of low importance until the 19th century. The manor changed hands several times, until it was bought by the municipality in 1911. From 1815 to 1944, Falkenberg was part of the Prussian Province of Saxony. In 1848, Falkenberg (Elster) station was opened on the railway Jüterbog–Röderau railway. The Halle–Cottbus railway was opened in 1872 and crossed the former at Falkenberg which became a major junction and grew considerably. Industry and businesses were established, including a power station. World War II caused major destruction. From 1944 to 1945, Falkenberg was part of the Province of Halle-Merseburg. From 1952 to 1990, it was part of the Bezirk Cottbus of East Germany. In 1962 Falkenberg was awarded town privileges. The coat of arms reflects the major branches of economy in the town: energy supply, railway, and agriculture.

Large numbers of derelict steam locomotives are stored at an old railway depot just to the north-east.

Demography

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Falkenberg/Elster: Population development
within the current boundaries (2017)[3]
YearPop.±% p.a.
1875 2,850—    
1890 3,120+0.61%
1910 6,031+3.35%
1925 7,763+1.70%
1933 8,578+1.26%
1939 9,194+1.16%
1946 11,941+3.81%
1950 11,273−1.43%
1964 10,346−0.61%
1971 10,596+0.34%
1981 9,827−0.75%
1985 9,749−0.20%
1989 9,573−0.45%
1990 9,443−1.36%
1991 9,271−1.82%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1992 9,138−1.43%
1993 9,131−0.08%
1994 9,091−0.44%
1995 9,064−0.30%
1996 8,974−0.99%
1997 8,854−1.34%
1998 8,689−1.86%
1999 8,554−1.55%
2000 8,435−1.39%
2001 8,262−2.05%
2002 8,075−2.26%
2003 7,953−1.51%
2004 7,819−1.68%
2005 7,768−0.65%
2006 7,627−1.82%
YearPop.±% p.a.
2007 7,497−1.70%
2008 7,378−1.59%
2009 7,254−1.68%
2010 7,098−2.15%
2011 6,812−4.03%
2012 6,650−2.38%
2013 6,561−1.34%
2014 6,529−0.49%
2015 6,431−1.50%
2016 6,459+0.44%
2017 6,406−0.82%
2018 6,368−0.59%
2019 6,315−0.83%
2020 6,317+0.03%

Sons and daughters of the city

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Ernst Hildebrand 1887

Other personalities associated with the city

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References

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  1. ^ Landkreis Elbe-Elster Wahl der Bürgermeisterin / des Bürgermeisters, accessed 1 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerungsentwicklung und Bevölkerungsstandim Land Brandenburg Dezember 2022" (PDF). Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (in German). June 2023.
  3. ^ Detailed data sources are to be found in the Wikimedia Commons.Population Projection Brandenburg at Wikimedia Commons