Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler
Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler () is a spa town in the German Bundesland of Rhineland-Palatinate that serves as the capital of the Ahrweiler district. The A61 motorway connects the town with cities like Cologne and Mainz. Formed by the merging of the towns (now districts) of Bad Neuenahr and Ahrweiler in 1969, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler consists of 11 such districts. Geography. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler rests in the Ahr valley () on the left bank of the Rhine river in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler nestles in the Ahr Hills (). The highest hill in the area is  the Häuschen at metres above sea level. Nearby are the hills of Steckenberg, Neuenahrer, and Talerweiterung. There used to be castles on the last two of these hills. Neighbouring communities. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is surrounded by the following villages and towns (clockwise from the north): Grafschaft, Remagen, Sinzig, Königsfeld, Schalkenbach, Heckenbach, Kesseling, Rech and Dernau. The nearest cities are Bonn and Koblenz. Districts. Bad Neuenahr is divided into Ortsbezirke which consist of one or more districts. The Ortsbezirke be represented by local councils. The largest district, Bad Neuenahr, was originally made up of three communities, which are still seen as  districts. Population statistics as of 31 March 2013 (main and secondary residence): History. Antiquity. Discoveries dating to Hallstatt period (1000–500 BC) shows farming activity by local Celts that dwelled in the area. The Gallic Wars (58–50 BC) resulted in the forced relocation of the indigenous Eburones people to the Middle Rhine. From the 1st to 3rd century, several Roman discoveries were made. Most notable is the Villa Rustica of Bad Neuenahr. Middle Ages. In 893 AD, Ahrweiler was mentioned as Arwilre, Arewilre, Arewilere, and later Areweiller in the Prüm Urbar (register of estates owned by Prüm Abbey). The abbey of  Ahrweiler owned a manor with 24 farmsteads; 50 acres of farmland and 76 acres of vineyards. The first mention of a parish church occurred in Neuenahr Castle and surrounding county (Newenare) from 1204 to 1225. In 1246 was founded one of the oldest German inns Gasthaus Sanct Peter. Modern Times. During the 2021 European floods much of the town was submerged and many died. Transport. The town has five stations on the Ahr Valley Railway and provides hourly connections to Bonn. Twin towns – sister cities. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is twinned with: