# Verl > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Verl > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Verl.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verl > Source revision: 1330333236 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Infobox German location |type = Stadt |image_photo = Verl - St. Anna Kirche - Blick auf den Turm.jpg |image_caption = St. Anna Church in Verl |image_flag = Flagge der Stadt Verl.svg |image_coa = Wappen der Stadt Verl.svg |coordinates = {{coord|51|52|59|N|08|31|00|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |image_plan = Verl in GT.svg |state = North Rhine-Westphalia |region = Detmold |district = Gütersloh |elevation = 85 |area = 71.37 |postal_code = 33415 |area_code = 05246 |licence = GT |Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 7 54 044 |divisions = 5 |website = [http://www.verl.de www.verl.de] |mayor = Robin Rieksneuwöhner[https://www.die-glocke.de/lokalnachrichten/die-buergermeisterwahl-in-verl-ist-in-vollem-gange-1705837090 Die Glocke: Verls neuer Bürgermeister heißt Robin Rieksneuwöhner] |leader_term = 2020–25 |party = CDU }} '''Verl''' ({{IPA|de|fɛʁl|lang|De-Verl.ogg}}) is a town in the [district of Gütersloh](/source/G%C3%BCtersloh_(district)) in the state of [North Rhine-Westphalia](/source/North_Rhine-Westphalia), [Germany](/source/Germany). It is approximately 15 km south of [Bielefeld](/source/Bielefeld) and 10 km east of [Gütersloh](/source/G%C3%BCtersloh). == Geography == Verl is located in [Ostwestfalen-Lippe](/source/Ostwestfalen-Lippe) in a triangle formed by [Gütersloh](/source/G%C3%BCtersloh) (9.2 km), [Bielefeld](/source/Bielefeld) (15.4 km), and [Paderborn](/source/Paderborn) (25.1 km). The administrative region for the town is Detmold. The urban area for the town is located in the large landscape area of the [North German Plain](/source/North_German_Plain), in a subarea of the [Westphalian Lowland](/source/Westphalian_Lowland). The rivers that cross through the town are the [Dalke](/source/Dalke), [Menkebach](/source/Menkebach), [Ellbach](/source/Ellbach_(Rot)), [Sennebach](/source/Sennebach), [Furlbach](/source/Furlbach), and [Wapelbach](/source/Wapelbach) streams. The Ellbach is joined by the [Landerbach](/source/Landerbach) while the Wapelbach is joined by the [Rodenbach](/source/Rodenbach_(Wapelbach)). The Sennebach drains directly into the [Ems](/source/Ems_(river)), into which all the streams that cross through Verl flow northeast/southwest from the [Teutoburg Forest](/source/Teutoburg_Forest). To protect nearby towns from flooding, a flood basin called ''Wapelbecken I'' was established in 2011, followed by ''Wapelbecken II'' in 2023. The town covers an area of 71.36 km². The majority of the town's area consists of agricultural land, buildings, and open spaces, together accounting for approximately 86%, followed by forest and traffic areas, accounting for approximately 8.5%. Verl is sparsely forested compared to the rest of the Gütersloh district, with a forest cover of only around 6.4%. ==History== The name Verl was first mentioned in the expression 'Henricus de Verlo', which can be found in a charter from 1264.{{Cite web |title=Stadtgeschichte |url=http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221145244/http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=23 |archive-date=21 December 2015 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Stadt Verl |language=German |publication-place=[Verl](/source/Verl)}} The designation probably relates to the farm estate Meier zu Verl, which belonged to a group of four estates that presumably came into existence around the turn of the first millennium. Some earlier documented references to estates in this area can be dated back to the year 1188. In 1512, a chapel was built in the farming community. This chapel was turned into a parish church in 1577 and, since then, has marked the social center for the communities of Verl, Sende and Bornholte. Count [Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz-Rietberg](/source/Wenzel_Anton_von_Kaunitz-Rietberg) sponsored the building of the church of St. Anna at the location of the former chapel in 1792. The construction of this classical hall church was completed in 1801. thumb|left|County of Rietberg showing Latin "Verle" at upper middle Until the establishment of the [Kingdom of Westphalia](/source/Kingdom_of_Westphalia) in 1807 during the Napoleonic period, Verl belonged to the County of [Rietberg](/source/Rietberg). From 1807 on, the county was divided into two administrative districts (called cantons) -- Rietberg and [Neuenkirchen](/source/Neuenkirchen%2C_Westphalia)—comprising the now independent municipalities of Verl, Bornholte, Sende, Liemke, and Österwiehe. After the [Congress of Vienna](/source/Congress_of_Vienna) in 1815, the districts where incorporated into the newly created district of Wiedenbrück. On July 1, 1838, the canton administration was moved from Neuenkirchen to Verl and, in addition to the aforementioned municipalities, the village of Kaunitz was added to the newly created canton of Verl. With the introduction of a new local government code in the Kingdom of Prussia on October 31, 1841, the canton's name was changed to Amt Verl (meaning department). By this time, Verl already had 6,786 inhabitants. During [World War I](/source/World_War_I), more than 350 citizens fell victim to the conflict, and the ensuing aftermath left the district in economic struggle.{{Cite web |last=Thöring |first=Von Roland |title=Als der Erste Weltkrieg nach Verl kam |url=https://www.nw.de/lokal/kreis_guetersloh/verl/verl/11121930_Als-der-Erste-Weltkrieg-nach-Verl-kam.html |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Neue Westfälische |language=de}} After the [Nazi seizure of power](/source/Nazi_seizure_of_power), the town square was renamed to "Hindenburg-Hitler-Platz" as part of a [campaign](/source/List_of_streets_named_after_Adolf_Hitler) of name changes across the country.{{Cite web |title=Verl |url=https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/nstopo/strnam/Kommune_219.html |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=www.lwl.org}} The name remained until the fall of [Nazi Germany](/source/Nazi_Germany). Another adjustment to the local government code was carried out on January 1, 1970, constituting the current city limits. Now simply called Verl, the municipality consists of five administrative units (Verl, Bornholte, Sürenheide, Sende, and Kaunitz) and belongs to the district of Gütersloh. Verl is a [town](/source/Town) as of 1 January 2010. In 2017, the town was declared "culturally significant" by the LWL-Geodaten Kultur organization.{{Cite web |title=Kulturlandschaftlich bedeutsamer Stadt- und Ortskern Verl |url=https://www.lwl.org/geodatenkultur/objekt/264982 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.lwl.org |publisher=Landschaftsverband Westfalen‑Lippe (LWL)}} ==Culture== === Musical festivities === In the town, the Verl Music Association hosts an annual concert every January. At the Verl Comprehensive School's Pedagogical Center, the brass band presents an annual program of [marching band](/source/marching_band), [polka](/source/polka), and [samba](/source/samba) performances, as well as films and musical hits. Since 1970, the Verl Kolping Theater has performed a play annually. Every spring, for two weeks, the school's auditorium is transformed into a small theater. === Places of interest === * St. Anna Church * Timbered houses from the 16th century * Flea market "Hobbymarkt" - one of the largest flea markets in Germany, every first Saturday of the month{{Cite web |title=Ostwestfalenhalle {{!}} Stadt Verl |url=https://www.verl.de/freizeit-kultur/ostwestfalenhalle.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.verl.de |language=de-de}} * Verl Button Museum - founded in a former print building in 2014{{Cite web |last=Glocke |first=Die |date=2014-09-04 |title=Knopfmanufaktur ist mehr als Museum |url=https://www.die-glocke.de/lokalnachrichten/knopfmanufaktur-ist-mehr-als-museum-1623255686 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.die-glocke.de |language=de}} * Village Mill - Oldest mill in the Verl municipal area, listed as an architectural monument since 1991 left|thumb|Verl Village Mill ==Sport== [SC Verl](/source/SC_Verl), an [association football club](/source/Football_in_Germany), was founded on 6 September 1924,Grüne, Hardy (2001). Vereinslexikon. Kassel: AGON Sportverlag {{ISBN|3-89784-147-9}} and since 1970 has consistently played in the [higher echelons](/source/German_football_league_system) of amateur football. The club was promoted to the professional [national third division](/source/3._Liga) in 2020 where it has played ever since. In the town, twelve different [homing pigeon](/source/homing_pigeon) clubs are represented as of 2006.{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Brieftaubenzuchtvereine |url=http://www.verl.de/files/verlinfo.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530120952/http://www.verl.de/files/verlinfo.pdf |archive-date=2009-05-30 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.verl.de |publisher=VERL erleben! |page=64}} In 2021, the town of Verl applied to be a host city for an international program as part of the [2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games](/source/2023_Special_Olympics_World_Summer_Games) in [Berlin](/source/Berlin). For the occasion of the Olympics, the town was selected to host the [Honduran](/source/Honduras) chapter of [Special Olympics International](/source/Special_Olympics).{{Cite web |date=March 2023 |title=Baden-Württemberg |url=https://assets.berlin2023.org/55/e4/a0f44d7c4f55a31e659a85db2a11/230306-zuteilung-delegationen-webseite.pdf |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=assets.berlin2023.org}} The delegation consisted of 25 people and were to stay in the city for four days total.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=25 May 2022 |title=Verl App: Special Olympics: Delegation aus Honduras erwartet |url=https://www.dein-verl.de/news/sport/special-olympics-delegation-aus-honduras-erwartet |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Verl App |language=de}} == Sister cities == Verl has [sister city](/source/sister_city) relationships with the following two cities:{{Cite web |title=Städtepartnerschaften {{!}} Stadt Verl |url=https://www.verl.de/stadt-zukunft/stadtportraet/staedtepartnerschaften.html |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.verl.de |language=de-de}} {{div col}} * {{flagdeco|DEU}}[Annaburg](/source/Annaburg), [Saxony-Anhalt](/source/Saxony-Anhalt), Germany (1990){{cite web|title=Städtepartnerschaften|url=http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=28|website=www.verl.de|access-date=4 June 2025|archive-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221150012/http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=28|url-status=dead}} * {{flagdeco|USA}}[Delphos](/source/Delphos%2C_Ohio), [Ohio](/source/Ohio), United States (1999) {{div col end}} The sister relationship with Annaburg was established in 1990, shortly after the [Fall of the Berlin Wall](/source/Fall_of_the_Berlin_Wall). In the first few years of the relationship, Verl assisted Annaburg in finding a new administration, which would eventually help create new connections between the two cities. The sister relationship was Delphos was founded in 1999. The town was founded in the 1800s by pastor Johannes Otto Bredeick, a native of Verl, after a period of famine had struck North Rhine-Westphalia.{{Cite web |last=Meißner |first=Frithjof |title=Ursprung und Geschichte der Partnerschaft Verl - Delphos |url=http://www.amerikanetz.de/beitraege/frithjof-meissner/ursprung-und-geschichte-der-partnerschaft-verl-delphos/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919165044/http://www.amerikanetz.de/beitraege/frithjof-meissner/ursprung-und-geschichte-der-partnerschaft-verl-delphos/ |archive-date=19 September 2011 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Amerikanetz |language=German}} Periodic visits and a student exchange happen between the two towns every year since the sister relationship went into effect. {{Historical populations|1849|7144|1871|7245|1890|7633|1910|9811|1930|12566|1938|14324|1948|18432|1956|20396|1969|26497|footnote=Population for Amt Verl}} == Demographics == After the recognition of the Verl Municipality in the 1970s, parts of Amt Verl were incorporated into [Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock](/source/Schlo%C3%9F_Holte-Stukenbrock) or Bielefeld, drastically reducing its area and population size.{{Cite web |date=24 October 1972 |title=Gesetz zur Neugliederung der Gemeinden und Kreise des Neugliederungsraumes Bielefeld (Bielefeld-Gesetz) |url=http://www.bielefeld.de/ftp/dokumente/ortsrecht/1_03.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320182518/http://www.bielefeld.de/ftp/dokumente/ortsrecht/1_03.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-20 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.bielefeld.de}} From 1975 onwards, demographic data for the town is compiled by the State Office for Information and Technology (NRW).{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=Federal Statistical Office Germany - GENESIS-Online |url=https://www.landesdatenbank.nrw.de/ldbnrw/online/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.landesdatenbank.nrw.de |language=en}} === Religion === In the town, the St. Anna [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church) merged with the St. Maria Immaculata of Kaunitz and the Church of St. Judas Thaddäus in 2001. As of the most recent 2022 census, 44.7% of the town's population was [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic) while 17.1% were [Protestant](/source/Protestantism); the remaining 38.2% declared other religious affiliations or none.{{Cite web |title=Zensusdatenbank: Ergebnisse des Zensus |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2022.de/datenbank/online/statistic/1000A/table/1000A-1018/search/s/VmVybA== |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=ergebnisse.zensus2022.de}} Verl is also a stronghold of Germany's [Assyrian](/source/German_Assyrians) community, the majority of whom belong to the [Syriac Orthodox Church](/source/Syriac_Orthodox_Church). Several associations, such as Suryoye Verl, operate to represent the town's [Assyrian](/source/Assyrian_people) community.{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-06-25 |title=30 Jahre Assyrischer Mesopotamien Verein Gütersloh |url=https://bethnahrin.de/2012/06/25/30-jahre-assyrischer-mesopotamien-verein-guetersloh/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Bethnahrin |language=de}} The town also has a [New Apostolic Church](/source/New_Apostolic_Church) and a [Baptist](/source/Baptists) house for worship. {{Historical populations|1970|15,077|1980|18,799|1990|19,778|1995|21,266|2000|23,573|2004|24,403|2010|25,084|2015|25,533|2020|25,976|2023|26,201|source={{Cite web | url = http://www.it.nrw.de/statistik/a/daten/amtlichebevoelkerungszahlen/index.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928045301/http://www.it.nrw.de/statistik/a/daten/amtlichebevoelkerungszahlen/index.html |archive-date = 28 September 2011 | title = Amtliche Bevölkerungszahlen | date = 2010 | publisher = IT.NRW | language = German | url-status = dead }}{{Cite web | url = http://www.verl.de/conf/download.php?file=2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208060742/http://www.verl.de/conf/download.php?file=2012 |archive-date = 8 December 2015 | title = Entwicklungskonzept Fortschreibung: Verl 2020 | date = December 2008 | publisher = City of Verl | language = German | url-status = dead }}|footnote=Population for Verl Municipality}} == Politics == === Coat of arms === In 1970, the council of the newly formed municipality of Verl decided to enact a [coat of arms](/source/coat_of_arms) and banner.{{Cite web |last=Verl |first=Stadt |title=Stadt Verl · Das Wappen der Stadt Verl |url=http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826185546/http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=24 |archive-date=2015-08-26 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.verl.de |language=de}} The coat of arms of the town of Verl is divided into four areas. In the center of the coat of arms is a golden [shield](/source/shield). The first and fourth areas of the coat of arms contain a green background with silver oak trees with two golden acorns, while the second and third contain the same imagery with opposite coloration. On the coat of arms of the District of Verl are five diamonds that represent the five municipalities belonging to Amt Verl in the Prussian Kingdom; Verl, [Bornholt](/source/Bornholt), [Senden](/source/Senden%2C_North_Rhine-Westphalia), Liemke, and Österwiehe. File:DEU Verl COA.svg|Town of Verl Coat of Arms File:Banner der Stadt Verl.svg|Town banner File:Flagge der Stadt Verl.svg|Town flag File:Wappen Amt Verl.svg|District of Verl Coat of Arms === Logo === Since 2014, the town of Verl has employed a logo to represent itself publicly.{{Cite web |title=Stadt Verl · Das Logo |url=http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=61 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917004223/http://www.verl.de/index.php?id=61 |archive-date=2015-09-17 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.verl.de}} The logo was chosen after a competition took place among several agencies and representatives.{{Cite web |last=THÖRING |first=VON ROLAND |title=Elegant und stark zugleich |url=https://www.nw.de/lokal/kreis_guetersloh/verl/verl/8883938_Elegant-und-stark-zugleich.html |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Neue Westfälische |language=de}} The logo contains five multi-colored lines of differing length and the slogan "City of Verl – A Good Reason" ({{Langx|de|Stadt Verl – Ein guter Grund}}). == Economy == Until the end of the 19th century, Verl consisted of only small craft businesses, mainly engaged in wood and [meat processing](/source/meat_processing) with some [brickworks](/source/brickworks). Today, the town is host to a number of strategically important companies and their headquarters/branches including Beckhoff New Automation Technology,{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Company |url=https://www.beckhoff.com/en-us/company/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Beckhoff Automation |publisher=Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co KG |language=en-US |publication-place=Hülshorstweg 20, 33415 Verl, Germany}} [Bertelsmann](/source/Bertelsmann) Financial Services,{{Cite web |title=Locations – |url=https://arvato.com/about/locations |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=arvato.com |language=en}} Teckentrup,{{Cite web |title=Garage doors, doors and industrial doors from Teckentrup |url=https://www.teckentrup.biz/en |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.teckentrup.biz}} Heroal,{{Cite web |title=Über heroal {{!}} Familienunternehmen mit langer Tradition |url=https://www.heroal.de/de/unternehmen/ueber-heroal/index.php |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.heroal.de |language=de}} and Nobilia.{{Cite web |title=Europe's leading kitchen manufacturer |url=https://www.nobilia.de/en/company/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=nobilia Küchen |language=en-GB}} Verl is one of the strongest municipalities in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia financially, due to consistently high trade tax revenues. In 2018, these revenues totaled [€](/source/%E2%82%AC)54.5 million, and the town's budget's equity amounted to €237.8 million.{{Cite web |last1=Schmidt |first1=Barbara |last2=Schönauer |first2=Heribert |year=2019 |title=Haushaltsplan 2020 |trans-title=Budget 2020 |url=https://www.verl.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Bilder/Rathaus/Haushaltsplan_2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029213247/https://www.verl.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Bilder/Rathaus/Haushaltsplan_2020.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2020 |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=verl.de |publisher=Stadt Verl |place=Verl |language=German}} The town also has the second-lowest trade tax assessment of all state municipalities.{{Cite web |last=Esken |first=Michael |date=8 October 2019 |title=Haushaltsrede 2020: Bürgermeister Michael Esken |url=https://www.verl.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Haushalt/Haushaltsrede_2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027100843/https://www.verl.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Haushalt/Haushaltsrede_2020.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=verl.de |language=German |publication-place=Verl}} == Notable people == * [Joachim Milberg](/source/Joachim_Milberg) * [Elmar Brok](/source/Elmar_Brok) == References == == External links == * [https://www.verl.de/ City website] * [https://heimatverein-verl.de/ Verl Local History Society] {{Commons}}{{Wiktionary|Verl}}{{Cities and towns in Gütersloh (district)}} {{Authority control}} --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Verl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verl) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verl?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.