Riesa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riesa
Riesa with the Trinitatis Church near the Elbe River in July 2008
Riesa with the Trinitatis Church near the Elbe River in July 2008
Coat of arms of Riesa
Coat of arms
Location of Riesa within Meißen district
Riesa is located in Germany
Riesa
Riesa
Coordinates: 51°18′29″N 13°17′38″E / 51.30806°N 13.29389°E / 51.30806; 13.29389Coordinates: 51°18′29″N 13°17′38″E / 51.30806°N 13.29389°E / 51.30806; 13.29389
CountryGermany
StateSaxony
DistrictMeißen
Subdivisions16
Government
 • Mayor (2021–28) Marco Müller[1] (CDU)
Area
 • Total58.91 km2 (22.75 sq mi)
Elevation
109 m (358 ft)
Population
 (2020-12-31)[2]
 • Total29,256
 • Density500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
01587, 01589, 01591, 01594
Dialling codes03525
Vehicle registrationMEI, GRH, RG, RIE
Websitewww.riesa.de

Riesa is a town in the district of Meißen in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is located on the Elbe River, approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Dresden.

History[]

The name Riesa is derived from Slavic Riezowe. This name, romanised as "Rezoa", appears first in October 1119 in a document from Pope Callixtus II.

The world's first 110 kV power line was installed between Riesa and Lauchhammer in 1912. Between 1952 and 1994, Riesa was the seat of a district.

During the 1980s, Riesa was the headquarters of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany's 9th Tank Division.

Population history[]

The town grew from the start of the 20th century due to industrialisation. The population declined after German Reunification in 1989. The local steel works shut and the population fell from 52,000 to 31,000.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1575350—    
18341,631+366.0%
18492,679+64.3%
18755,707+113.0%
18806,259+9.7%
190013,491+115.5%
193326,248+94.6%
193929,963+14.2%
194634,406+14.8%
YearPop.±%
195036,150+5.1%
196036,769+1.7%
198151,857+41.0%
199542,429−18.2%
200039,367−7.2%
200536,221−8.0%
201033,351−7.9%
201531,541−5.4%
201929,754−5.7%

Sights[]

Trinitatis Church
"Rusty Oak"

Riesa has a 25 m tall, 234 tonne, cast-iron (GGG 40) sculpture of an oak trunk, named Elbquelle, which means source of the Elbe, by Jörg Immendorff, erected in 1999. Local folk call the sculpture by many other names, most notably "Rostige Eiche", which means "Rusty Oak".

In Riesa there are two notable churches. The minster St. Marien was built in 1261 as an addition to the Benedictine Abbey. The was completed in 1897.

Culture[]

Riesa is well known locally for its pasta, which is produced at Teigwaren Riesa GmbH. Another symbol of Riesa are the Riesaer Zündhölzer, the matches which were traditionally manufactured there.

The steel production in Riesa is also well known.

Sport[]

Riesa has a football club, BSG Stahl Riesa. The club's crest is blue and white, as are the club colours. They play now in the Landesliga Sachsen (6th tier).

Riesa is known locally for the SACHSENarena, a large hall which hosted the European Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2003 and the World Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2004.

Twin towns – sister cities[]

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Riesa is twinned with:[3]

Transport[]

Railway station

Riesa railway station is located north of the town's centre, it offers both regional and long-distance services.

Riesa is located on Bundesstraße 169, which ensures access to federal motorways A 14 (close to Döbeln, approx. 25 km) and A 13 (close to Ruhland, approx. 50 km).

Notable people[]

Dieter Noll

Associated with the town[]

References[]

  1. ^ Wahlergebnisse 2021, Freistaat Sachsen, accessed 10 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerung des Freistaates Sachsen nach Gemeinden am 31. Dezember 2020". Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen (in German). June 2021.
  3. ^ "Partnerstädte". riesa.de (in German). Riesa. Retrieved 2021-03-15.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""