Wilnsdorf

Wilnsdorf
Coat of arms
Wilnsdorf
Location of Wilnsdorf within Siegen-Wittgenstein district
Coordinates: 50°49′00″N 08°06′00″E / 50.81667°N 8.10000°E / 50.81667; 8.10000Coordinates: 50°49′00″N 08°06′00″E / 50.81667°N 8.10000°E / 50.81667; 8.10000
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region	Arnsberg
District	Siegen-Wittgenstein
Government
• Mayor	Christa Schuppler (CDU)
Area
• Total	72.00 km2 (27.80 sq mi)
Elevation	350 m (1,150 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	20,512
• Density	280/km2 (740/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	57234
Dialling codes	02739, 02737
Vehicle registration	SI
Website	www.wilnsdorf.de

Wilnsdorf is a municipality in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The southern municipal limits, with the Kalteiche peak, part of the Rothaargebirge, form not only the community's highest point, at 579 m above sea level, but also the boundary between Hesse (Lahn-Dill-Kreis) and North Rhine-Westphalia. The heights lie between 290 m above sea level and 579 m at the Kalteiche.

Niederdielfen and Oberdielfen are named for the River Dielfe, which flows through them. Niederdielfen was also the home of the painter Adolf Saenger, after whom the street Adolf-Saenger-Weg in Niederdielfen is named.

(in each case at 31 December)

Wilnsdorf had its first documentary mention in 1185 under the name Willelmesdorf. A further form of the community's name is also recorded, Wielandisdorf, which is based on a local legend about a blacksmith named Wieland (also known as Weyland in English) who, according to local lore, lived nearby. It is true that iron mining and smelting had their beginnings in Wilnsdorf, and throughout the Siegerland, many centuries ago. History first mentions a mine in what is today the community's municipal area in 1298.

Between the late 12th century and the mid 17th century, the castle and stately home of the Knights of Kolbe were to be found in Wilnsdorf. They were at this time the Vögte ( ≈ reeves) of the Princes of Nassau-Siegen over broad parts of the Siegerland. In Napoleonic Times, Wilnsdorf, like the rest of the Siegerland, lay under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Berg.

In the early 19th century, the communities of Eisern, Obersdorf-Rödgen, Rinsdorf, Wilgersdorf, Wilnsdorf, Niederdielfen and Oberdielfen, by now all in Prussia, were united under the Amt of Wilnsdorf. Later, the community of Wilden, formerly part of the Amt of Burbach, was also included in the Amt of Wilnsdorf.