- Source: Frechen
Frechen (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁɛçn̩]; Ripuarian: Frechem) is a town in the Rhein-Erft District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Frechen was first mentioned in 877. It is situated at the western Cologne city border.
It is the site of the 1257 Battle of Frechen between Conrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne and the people of the town. In the 16th century it became known for locally produced terra cotta products, especially the "Bartmannskrug" (beardman jug).
In the late 18th century lignite was industrially mined. Digging for lignite dominated the city's economy until the end of the 20th century, and in 1891 the first briquette factory was opened.
On 2 September 1951 Frechen received its city-rights including the villages of Bachem, Hücheln and Buschbell. On 1 January 1975 the nearby villages of Grefrath, Habbelrath, Königsdorf and Neufreimersdorf were also incorporated.
In 1971, the Keramion, a ceramics museum in a distinctive glass-enclosed modern structure designed by architect Peter Neufert, opened to display the extensive historic and contemporary collection of local collector Gottfried Cremer.
From the 1980s onwards an increasing number of industrial, commercial and service enterprises choose Frechen as their location, so that the town changed its features considerably.
Population
As of December 31, 2021 there were 52,155 inhabitants registered.
Local council
Elections were held in September 2020.
CDU: 19 seats
SPD: 11 seats
Alliance 90/The Greens: 9 seats
Perspektive für Frechen: 4 seats
FDP: 3 seats
The Left: 2 seats
Alternative für Deutschland: 2 seats
Notable people
Kirsten Bolm (born 1975), athlete
Wayne Carpendale (born 1977), actor and presenter
Pierre Vogel (born 1978), Islamist preacher
Ayọ (born 1980), soul singer
Sonja Bertram (born 1984), actress
Marcel Heller (born 1986), footballer
Lennart Thy (born 1992), footballer
Hannah Meul (born 2001, Professional Climber
Twin towns – sister cities
Frechen is twinned with:
Kapfenberg, Austria
References
External links
Official website
Website of the Keramion ceramics museum