Unna is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the seat of the Unna district.

Geography

Unna is situated on the route of an ancient salt-trading route, the Hellweg road. Trade on this route and during the period of the Hansa Trade Route brought an income in form as far as London. It is located at the east end of the Ruhr area, approx. 15 km east of Dortmund.

Division of the town

Unna consists of the following districts:

Unna (city centre) Massen Königsborn Uelzen Mühlhausen Lünern Stockum

Westhemmerde Billmerich Hemmerde Afferde Siddinghausen Kessebüren

History

In the older part of town are many half-timbered buildings built between the 16th and 19th centuries. Unna was an agriculturally-based town until the 19th century, when it became industrially-based. After the war the artisan district which had survived allied bombing was largely torn down to make way for modern development, however many of the buildings have been restored. The Lindenbrauerei once produced Lindenbier, and has started reproducing limited quantities for a few years now. The brewery is also home to the town library and night school (volkshochschule). It is also the centre for international light art (Zentrum fuer Internationale Lichtkunst).

Culture

Unna holds the largest Italian festival north of Italy every two years. The old Linden brewery (in the meantime a cultural center) is another attraction of the town.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Unna is twinned with:

Waalwijk in Netherlands Palaiseau in France Döbeln in Saxony, Germany

Ajka in Hungary Pisa in Italy (since 1996) Kirklees in England

Gallery

File:Stadtkirche Unna Nachtbeleuchtung IMGP2569.jpg|City church with evening lightingFile:Unna Marktplatz Eselsbrunnen (smial).jpg|Donkey well on the town square (Josef Baron)File:Unna Katharinenkirche in der Abendsonne.jpg|Church St. CatherineFile:Unna Lindenbrauerei.jpg|Former Brewery Lindenbrauerei

References

External links

• Official website