Haltern am See

Haltern am See (Haltern at the lake, before December 2001 only Haltern) is a town and a municipality in the district of Recklinghausen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the Lippe and the Wesel–Datteln Canal, approx. 15 km north of Recklinghausen.

The town is about 80 km north of Düsseldorf.

Geography and Nature
Haltern am See is a picturesque city in western Germany with an abundance of natural beauty in its surroundings. The city is situated on the shores of the Halterner Stausee, which is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and hiking.

The area around the lake is characterized by lush green forests, rolling hills, and sprawling meadows. The town is surrounded by several nature reserves, including the Hohe Mark Nature Park, which is known for its diverse flora and fauna. Here, visitors can hike through dense forests and spot rare birds and other wildlife.

During winter, tourists can experience traditional German Christmas markets. These markets are held in the city's historic old town and offer visitors a unique shopping experience. Visitors can explore the markets and browse through the many stalls that offer traditional German crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. The markets also offer a wide variety of German foods and drinks, such as roasted chestnuts, gingerbread cookies, hot mulled wine, and other seasonal specialties. The markets are usually open from late November to the end of December.

In the summer months, Haltern am See offers visitors the opportunity to explore the beautiful rural areas of Germany. The city is surrounded by vast fields and rolling countryside, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. Visitors can explore the scenic landscapes by hiking, cycling, or even horseback riding.

For those who enjoy outdoor sports, Haltern am See has plenty to offer. The city boasts several bike trails and hiking paths that wind their way through the surrounding countryside, providing visitors with a chance to explore the area's natural beauty up close. There are also several golf courses in the area for those who prefer a more relaxed outdoor activity.

History
In the place was the Roman castle Aliso, abandoned some time after the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Nowadays the LWL-Römermuseum Haltern am See informs about the Roman living here.

Former Halteren was founded on February 3 in 1289. They received the town charter by the prince-bishop of Münster, Everhard von Dienstag.

During Kristallnacht (1938), the town's synagogue, Jewish cemetery and the houses and shops belonging to the town's Jews were vandalised. Jews were deported to concentration camps, the last five of whom were deported in January 1942. Only one of the town's Jews survived the Holocaust: Alexander Lebenstein, after whom a school is named.

In March 2015, the town received international attention when 16 students and two teachers from the Joseph-König-Gymnasium in Haltern, were killed in the Germanwings Flight 9525 crash in the French Alps. They were on their way home from a student exchange with the Giola Institute in Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain. Haltern's then mayor, Bodo Klimpel, described it as "the darkest day in the history of our city."

Notable people

 * Benedikt Höwedes, former footballer for Juventus FC and Germany, was born in the city
 * Joseph König (1843–1930), chemist, after whom the Joseph-König-Gymnasium is named, was born in Lavesum in Haltern
 * Alexander Lebenstein, Holocaust survivor, after whom the Alexander-Lebenstein-Realschule is named, was born in Haltern
 * Christoph Metzelder, former footballer for Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, was born in the city
 * Bodo Klimpel, mayor of Haltern am See between 2004 and 2020, was born in Rourkela, State of Odisha, India
 * Luba Goy, German-Canadian actress and comedian, was born in Haltern in 1945 and emigrated to Canada with her parents in 1951

Twin towns – sister cities
Haltern am See is twinned with:
 * 🇫🇷 Roost-Warendin, France
 * 🇦🇹 Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria