Neighbouring communities

Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is surrounded by the following villages and towns (clockwise from the north): Grafschaft, Remagen, Sinzig, Königsfeld, Schalkenbach, Heckenbach, Kesseling, Rech and Dernau. The nearest cities are Bonn and Koblenz.

Districts

Bad Neuenahr is divided into Ortsbezirke which consist of one or more districts. The Ortsbezirke are represented by local councils. The largest district, Bad Neuenahr, was originally made up of three communities, which are still seen as districts.

Population statistics as of 31 March 2013 (main and secondary residence):^[3]

Climate

Antiquity

Discoveries dating to the Hallstatt period (1000–500 BC) show farming activity by Celts that dwelled in the area. The Gallic Wars (58–50 BC) resulted in the forced relocation of the indigenous Eburones to the Middle Rhine. Several Roman discoveries date from the 1st to 3rd centuries. Most notable is the Villa Rustica of Bad Neuenahr [de].

Middle Ages

In 893 AD, Ahrweiler was mentioned as Arwilre, Arewilre, Arewilere, and later Areweiller in the Prüm Urbar (register of estates owned by Prüm Abbey). The abbey of Ahrweiler owned a manor with 24 farmsteads; 50 acres of farmland and 76 acres of vineyards. The first mention of a parish church occurred in Neuenahr Castle and surrounding county (Newenare) from 1204 to 1225. In 1246 was founded one of the oldest German inns Gasthaus Sanct Peter.

Modern Times

Close to Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, the national Government bunker was built between 1960 and 1972 inside two abandoned railway tunnels that were built as part of the Strategic Railway. The bunker was maintained and kept in a working condition for about 30 years and decommissioned in 1997. The location is a museum since February 2008.

During the 2021 European floods much of the town was submerged and many died.^[4]

Associated with the town

• Karl Marx (1818–1883), philosopher and economist, stayed in a spa resort in Bad Neuenahr in 1877
• Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827), is said to have visited the town in his youth. The Beethovenhaus is named in his honor.^[6]
• Peter Friedhofen (1819–1860), founder of the Charitable Brethren of Maria Hilf, who practiced his trade first in Ahrweiler
• Wolfgang Müller von Königswinter (1816–1873), novelist and poet, died in Bad Neuenahr
• Blandine Merten (1883–1918), Ursuline nun near Ahrweiler
• Ebba Tesdorpf (1851–1920), illustrator and watercolorist, died in Ahrweiler
• Paul Metternich (1853–1934), diplomat, died in the district of Heppingen
• Max von Schillings (1868–1933), composer and conductor
• Christian Hülsmeyer (1891–1957), inventor, physicist and entrepreneur, died in Ahrweiler