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Bergisch Gladbach

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A grand castle in Germany built between 1703 and 1711, now used as a hotel.

Bergisch Gladbach is a city in the Cologne/Bonn Region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district. The city has a rich history and offers many interesting places to visit, making it a special part of Germany.

Geography

Bergisch Gladbach is located to the east of the Rhine River and is roughly 10 kilometers away from Cologne.

City structure

Bergisch Gladbach does not have city districts with their own local governments. Instead, it has six statistical districts used for counting and organizing. These districts have names from older small towns or new building areas, making it easier to find places.

The city is next to several other places. Starting from the north and moving clockwise, these are Odenthal, Kürten, Overath, Rösrath, Cologne, and Leverkusen.

History

Bergisch Gladbach began as early settlements in the 13th century, but it was officially founded in 1856. The name "Bergisch" comes from the counts of Berg who lived in the area long ago, not because of its location. The word "Gladbach" means "canalised stream" and refers to a small river called the Strunde that was made into a channel many years ago.

Old castle and town hall of Bensberg

In 1975, Bergisch Gladbach included the nearby town of Bensberg, and in 1977, when the population grew to 100,000, it became a city.

Economy

Bergisch Gladbach has many different kinds of jobs and businesses. Important industries in the city include making paper, printing, creating glass wool, producing chocolate, and working with high-tech machines. These industries help the city’s economy grow and provide many people with work.

Transport

Bergisch Gladbach has a nearby airport called Cologne Bonn Airport. It is about 15 kilometers or 9 miles south of the city. There are also other airports close by, such as Düsseldorf Airport, which is 54 kilometers or 34 miles to the northwest, and Frankfurt Airport, which is 176 kilometers or 109 miles to the southeast.

Politics

Mayor

The current mayor of Bergisch Gladbach is Marcel Kreuz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). He was elected in 2025.

The previous mayoral election took place on 13 September 2020.

City council

The city council of Bergisch Gladbach works together with the mayor to govern the city. The most recent city council election happened on 14 September 2025.

Twin towns – sister cities

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

Bergisch Gladbach has friendly partnerships with cities in several countries. These partnerships began in different years, starting from 1956. The cities include:

Notable people

Bergisch Gladbach is a city where many interesting people were born or lived. Some of these people became well-known in sports, music, acting, writing, and other fields.

A few examples include Markus von Ahlen, a footballer and coach, and Rüdiger Baldauf, a jazz musician. There are also athletes like Fabian Hambüchen, an artistic gymnast, and Mats Hummels, a footballer. The city is also home to famous personalities such as Heidi Klum, a model and TV presenter, and Carolin Kebekus, a comedian and actress. Many other talented individuals come from this area, each contributing to different areas of culture and society.

Secondary schools in Bergisch Gladbach

Bergisch Gladbach has several schools where older students can learn and prepare for their future. Some of these schools include:

Related articles

North Rhine-Westphalia
Cologne
Rhine

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Bergisch Gladbach, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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