Menden

Menden
Old townhall in Menden
Coat of arms
Menden
Location of Menden within Märkischer Kreis district
Coordinates: 51°26′0″N 07°48′0″E / 51.43333°N 7.80000°E / 51.43333; 7.80000Coordinates: 51°26′0″N 07°48′0″E / 51.43333°N 7.80000°E / 51.43333; 7.80000
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region	Arnsberg
District	Märkischer Kreis
Government
• Mayor	Volker Fleige (SPD)
Area
• Total	86.08 km2 (33.24 sq mi)
Elevation	115 - 380 m (−1,132 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	53,485
• Density	620/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	58706, 58708, 58710
Dialling codes	02373 02378 (Halingen) 02379 (Asbeck)
Vehicle registration	MK
Website	www.menden.de

Menden is a town in the district Märkischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located at the north end of the Sauerland near the Ruhr river.

Menden's first churches were built in the 9th century. From 1180 on the area around Menden was part of the Cologne region, however, as it was on the border with the County of Mark, it was often fought over. In 1276, it received city rights. Industrialization started early: in 1695 needle production was the first industry, later followed by limestone products such as cement. In 1816 Menden was included within Prussia, after being part of Hesse for 13 years. In 1975 the city was merged with several previously independent municipalities, thus it grew in area as well as population.

The Hönnetal, a narrow valley with some beautiful cliffs carved into the limestone bedrock by the river Hönne.

In Menden (Sauerland), there are eleven elementary schools.

Besides four hauptschulen, two realschulen, there are three grammar schools:

The theatre managed by the city government, is the Theater am Ziegelbrand (TAZ). It is directed by Volker Fleige.

Menden à la carte is a popular festival. It is organized by the Initiativkreis Mendener Wirtschaft.

In Menden there are three theaters; the Theater am Ziegelbrand in an old factory building with places for 49 spectators. Another theater is located under the indoor swimming pool with places for 99 people. It is called Zimmertheater Scaramouche and corporate appearances and a traditional Christmas stage play can be seen there. For the young visitors there is a kids club. The third theater is in Halingen. It is called the Halinger Dorftheater.

Founded in 1912, the Museum of Menden specialized on the living circumstances of the citizens of Menden in medieval age. It informs about and reconstructs the equipment from farmers' and patricians' houses. It also presents bones of human beings from prehistoric times and the complete skeleton of a cave bear.