Overath
Overath | |
|---|---|
| File:Panoramaluftbild Overath.jpg | |
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Coat of arms of Overath Coat of arms | |
Location of Overath
within Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district | |
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| Country | Germany |
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Admin. region | Köln |
| District | Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis |
| Subdivisions | 7 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2025–30) | Michael Eyer[1] (CDU) |
| Area | |
• Total | 68.88 km2 (26.59 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 348 m (1,142 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 70 m (230 ft) |
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| 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: [ˈoːvəʁaːt] Audio file "De-Overath.ogg" not found; Kölsch: Ovveroth [ˈɔ̂vəˌʁɔːt]) is a town in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Geography
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Overath is located about 25 km east of Cologne, in the Bergisches 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 the Agger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. The kleine Heckberg (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the whole Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
Neighbouring cities are Rösrath in the West, Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West, Lindlar in the North-East, Engelskirchen in the East and Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Lohmar in the South.
Subdivisions
[edit | edit source]Overath is divided into 7 parts.
- Brombach
- Heiligenhaus
- Immekeppel
- Marialinden
- Steinenbrück
- Untereschbach
- Vilkerath
History
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When first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" (after the Agger river). Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing (German Rodung) the name changed to "Ouerode" (about 1280), "Ovverode" (1304), "Overadt" (1582), and finally became "Overath".
Demographics
[edit | edit source]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.
Religion
[edit | edit source]The Catholic church is devoted to Saint Walpurga (Heilige Walburga). Until 1803 the Benedictines had a monastery in Cyriax, a subsidiary of Michaelsberg Abbey at Siegburg.
The Catholic church in Heiligenhaus is devoted to Saint Roch (Heiliger Rochus).
Marialinden's church (St. Mariä Heimsuchung) is a pilgrimage destination for Saint Mary.
Infrastructure
[edit | edit source]Transportation
[edit | edit source]Roads
[edit | edit source]The B 55 und B 484 federal roads (German Bundesstraßen) as well as the A 4 Autobahn pass through area of the town. The A 4 has got two exits to Overath, Overath-Untereschbach and Overath.
Air transport
[edit | edit source]The Cologne Bonn Airport is reachable within 25 minutes.
Public transport
[edit | edit source]The railway station in Overath connects the town with Cologne and Marienheide. 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 for commuters.
Healthcare
[edit | edit source]There is no hospital in Overath. The nearest hospitals are in Bergisch Gladbach and Engelskirchen.
Government
[edit | edit source]City council
[edit | edit source]This section needs to be updated. (June 2021) |
The city 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 |
Mayor
[edit | edit source]Michael Eyer was elected mayor (German Bürgermeister) in September 2025, representing CDU.
Coat of arms
[edit | edit source]The coat of arms of Overath was only created on March 3, 1938. It consists of two areas:
- The upper area shows the lion of Berg. It symbolizes the former jurisdiction by the Earldom of Berg.
- The lower area shows a golden bell. It is supposed to symbolize a tradition of bell making. The inclusion of the bell is, however, due to a 15th and 16th century bell making family von Overra[i]de from Cologne, which falsely led to belief that bells were cast in Overath.
Twin towns – sister cities
[edit | edit source]- England Colne Valley, England, United Kingdom
- France Pérenchies, France
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Wahlergebnisse in NRW Kommunalwahlen 2025, Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, accessed 20 November 2025.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
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- Lua error in Module:Official_website at line 94: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). (in German)
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