Editing Iserlohn

{{For|steamships named ''Iserlohn''|SS Iserlohn{{!}}SS ''Iserlohn''}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox German place
|type              = Stadt
|name              = Iserlohn
|image_photo       = Iserlohn-Bauernkirche1-Asio.jpg
|imagesize         = 250px
|image_caption     = ''Bauernkirche''
|image_coa         = DEU Iserlohn COA.svg
|coordinates       = {{Coord|51|23|N|07|40|E|type:city_region:DE-NRW|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan        = Iserlohn in MK.svg
|state             = Nordrhein-Westfalen
|region            = Arnsberg
|district          = Märkischer Kreis
|elevation         = 494
|area              = 125.5
|postal_code       = 58636–58644
|area_code         = {{Plain list|
* 02371 <small>(Iserlohn)</small>
* 02374 <small>(Iserlohn-Letmathe)</small>
* 02304 <small>(Schwerte, Iserlohn-Hennen)</small>
* 02352 <small>([[Altena]], parts of Iserlohn-Kesbern)</small>
* 02378 <small>([[Fröndenberg/Ruhr|Fröndenberg]]- Langschede, Iserlohn-Drüpplingsen</small>)
}}
|licence           = {{Plain list|
* MK
* IS ''until 1974''
* LS ''until 1979''
}}
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 9 62 024
|divisions         = 5
|website           = [https://www.iserlohn.de/ www.iserlohn.de]
|mayor             = Michael Joithe<ref>[https://www.wahlergebnisse.nrw/kommunalwahlen/2020/index_bm.shtml Wahlergebnisse in NRW Kommunalwahlen 2020], Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, accessed 21 June 2021.</ref>
|leader_term       = 2020–25
|party             = Die Iserlohner
}}
[[Image:Iserlohn-Seilersee1-Asio.jpg|''Seilersee''|thumb]]
[[Image:Iserlohn-Rathaus1-Bubo.JPG|thumb|''Town hall'']]
[[Image:Iserlohn-Danzturm1-Asio.jpg|thumb|upright|''Danzturm'']]
[[File:Iserlohn-VillaWessel1-Asio.JPG|thumb|''Villa Wessel'']]

'''Iserlohn''' ({{IPA|de|iːzɐˈloːn|lang|De-Iserlohn.ogg}}; [[Westphalian language|Westphalian]]: ''Iserlaun'') is a city in the [[Märkischer Kreis]] district, in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany. It is the largest city by population and area within the district and the [[Sauerland]] region.

==Geography==
Iserlohn is located at the north end of the [[Sauerland]] near the [[Ruhr (river)|Ruhr]] river, in West-Central Germany.

==History==
The Pancratius church (also called Bauernkirche) is believed to have been founded in around 985, but the first written document mentioning ''lon'' dates only from 1150.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} In 1237 the [[Mark (earldom)|Count of the Mark]] gave Iserlohn municipal rights. In 1975 the city, which had been an [[Urban districts of Germany|urban district]] before, incorporated the surrounding ex-municipalities of [[Letmathe]], [[Hennen]], [[Sümmern]] and Kesbern, and became part of the district "[[Märkischer Kreis]]". As a larger mid-sized city, Iserlohn, however, still has a special status compared to most other municipalities in the district. This means that the city takes on tasks more usually performed by the district, such as social and youth affairs, hence it is comparable to an urban district.

==Politics==
===Mayor===
The current mayor of Iserlohn is Michael Joithe, a member of the voter group ''Die Iserlohner''. The most recent mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, with a runoff held on 27 September, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
! rowspan=2 colspan=2| Candidate
! rowspan=2| Party
! colspan=2| First round
! colspan=2| Second round
|-
! Votes
! %
! Votes
! %
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}| 
| align=left| Eva-Barbara Kirchhoff
| align=left| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]]
| '''13,275'''
| '''39.8'''
| 11,912
| 49.8
|-
| bgcolor=#648C5A| 
| align=left| Michael Joithe
| align=left| Die Iserlohner
| 5,273
| 15.8
| '''12,007'''
| '''50.2'''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}| 
| align=left| Martin Luckert
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]]
| 5,015
| 15.0
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| Manuel Huff
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]]
| 2,864
| 8.6
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}| 
| align=left| Martin Isbruch
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]]
| 2,692
| 8.1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alternative for Germany}}| 
| align=left| Daniel Bläsing
| align=left| [[Alternative for Germany]]
| 1,608
| 4.8
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Claudio Vurro
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 1,521
| 4.6
|-
| 
| align=left| Hans Herbers
| align=left| Independent Voters' Association
| 592
| 1.8
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Martin Radojcic
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 233
| 0.7
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Robert Gustävel
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 194
| 0.6
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Michael Klammt
| align=left| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 129
| 0.4
|-
! colspan=3| Valid votes
! 33,396
! 99.2
! 23,919
! 98.3
|-
! colspan=3| Invalid votes
! 279
! 0.8
! 419
! 1.7
|-
! colspan=3| Total
! 33,675
! 100.0
! 24,338
! 100.0
|-
! colspan=3| Electorate/voter turnout
! 72,958
! 46.2
! 72,849
! 33.4
|-
| colspan=7| Source: City of Iserlohn ([https://wahlen.citkomm.de/KW2020/05962024/html5/Buergermeisterwahl_NRW_133_Gemeinde_Stadt_Iserlohn.html 1st round], [https://wahlen.citkomm.de/KW2020/05962024/html5/Buergermeisterstichwahl_NRW_149_Gemeinde_Stadt_Iserlohn.html 2nd round])
|}

===City council===
The Iserlohn city council governs the city alongside the Mayor. The most recent city council election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
! colspan=2| Party
! Votes
! %
! +/-
! Seats
! +/-
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU)
| 11,817
| 35.6
| {{decrease}} 3.6
| 24
| {{increase}} 4
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD)
| 6,337
| 19.1
| {{decrease}} 13.3
| 13
| {{decrease}} 3
|-
| bgcolor=#648C5A| 
| align=left| Die Iserlohner
| 4,397
| 13.2
| New
| 9
| New
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}| 
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]] (Grüne)
| 3,713
| 11.2
| {{increase}} 4.3
| 8
| {{increase}} 5
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]] (Die Linke)
| 2,498
| 7.5
| {{increase}} 0.5
| 5
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alternative for Germany}}| 
| align=left| [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD)
| 1,985
| 6.0
| {{decrease}} 0.2
| 4
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Free Democratic Party (Germany)}}| 
| align=left| [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] (FDP)
| 1,483
| 4.5
| {{increase}} 0.4
| 3
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| 
| align=left| Independent Voters' Association (UWG)
| 960
| 2.9
| {{increase}} 0.7
| 2
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}| 
| align=left| Independent Radojcic
| 43
| 0.1
| New
| 0
| New
|-
! colspan=2| Valid votes
! 33,233
! 98.8
! 
! 
! 
|-
! colspan=2| Invalid votes
! 420
! 1.2
! 
! 
! 
|-
! colspan=2| Total
! 33,653
! 100.0
! 
! 68
! {{increase}} 18
|-
! colspan=2| Electorate/voter turnout
! 72,958
! 46.1
! 
! 
! 
|-
| colspan=7| Source: [https://wahlen.citkomm.de/KW2020/05962024/html5/Ratswahl_NRW_137_Gemeinde_Stadt_Iserlohn.html City of Iserlohn]
|}

==Points of interest==
The [[Dechenhöhle]] caves were discovered in 1868 during the construction of the railway line [[Hagen]]-Iserlohn. 360 metres are accessible for visitors, and there are many [[stalactite]]s and [[stalagmite]]s in the cave.

The Danzturm, located on the southern hill overlooking the old city, is a landmark and featured on the logo of the local brewery (Iserlohner). The tower has views of the valley and surrounding hills and is open to the public with a small inn at the base.

In the 18th century, the town became known for its [[Iserlohn box]]es, a form of tobacco or [[Snuff (tobacco)|snuff]] box with an engraved or [[Embossing (manufacturing)|embossed]] lid that often featured an image of former [[Prussia]]n King [[Frederick the Great]].<ref name=Fleming>[[John Fleming (art historian)|Fleming, John]] & [[Hugh Honour]]. (1977) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts. '' London: [[Allen Lane]], p. 399. {{ISBN|0713909412}}</ref>

==Sports==
The city is home of the [[Iserlohn Roosters]], a [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga|DEL]] (first-division) ice hockey team. The Roosters joined the DEL in 2000 and developed from a low-budget team to a solid one that regularly competes for a [[Playoff]]-spot. The club plays its home games at the [[Eissporthalle Iserlohn]], which holds 4,967 spectators. The original club, EC Deilinghofen, was founded in 1959 and went bankrupt in 1987. The second club, ECD Sauerland, existed from 1988 to 1994. In 1994, Iserlohner EC was founded.

==Education==
Iserlohn has 15 elementary schools and 12 secondary schools (3 [[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasien]], 1 [[Gesamtschule#Germany|Gesamtschule]], 3 [[Realschule]]n, 5 [[Hauptschule]]n).

Two universities of applied sciences are also located in the city. The headquarters, together with a major branch, of the [[South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences]] (also: Fachhochschule Südwestfalen (FH SWF)) offering engineering and informatics programmes is located in the city centre on Alexanderhöhe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www4.fh-swf.de/de/home/ueber_uns/standorte/is/ |title=FH-SWF Iserlohn |publisher=fh-swf.de |date=28 August 2013}}</ref> The [[Gesamtschule Seilersee]] (BiTS) is a private, state-approved business school with a campus near the Seilersee.<ref>[http://www.bits-iserlohn.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=51] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127085935/http://www.bits-iserlohn.de/content.php?lang=de&folder=51|date=27 January 2010}}</ref>

== Schützenfest ==
[[File:Iserlohn-IBSV-Umzug2024-35-Asio.JPG|thumb|''Schützenfest'' 2024]]
The Schützenfest is a famous festival which takes place every year, and is central to Iserlohner's cultural life – and the town's identity. It is held at the Parkhalle, Alexanderhöhe.

At the same time as the Shooters festival (Schützenfest) the Iserlohn Peace committee (FriedensPlenum) has held a 3-day free benefit music festival around the farmers church (Bauernkirche) since 1991.

==Coat of arms==
Iserlohn's coat of arms features, in the middle, [[Pancras of Rome|Saint Pancras]] (''St. Pancratius''), who is patron of the oldest church in Iserlohn. He is depicted between two towers of the historic [[city wall]]. The checked [[fess]] below the saint is derived from the arms of the [[Mark (earldom)|Counts of the Mark]].

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}
Iserlohn is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Partnerstädte|url=http://www.iserlohn.de/index.php?id=37|website=iserlohn.de|publisher=Iserlohn|language=de|access-date=2019-11-24}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Almelo]], Netherlands (1954)
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Biel/Bienne]], Switzerland (1959)
*{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Hall in Tirol]], Austria (1967)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Auchel]], France (1975)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Laventie]], France (1975)
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Nyíregyháza]], Hungary (1989)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Novocherkassk]], Russia (1990)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Glauchau]], Germany (1991)
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Chorzów]], Poland (2004)
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
*[[Johann Stephan Pütter]] (1725–1807), Reichspublizist and teacher of state law
*[[Friedrich Soennecken]] (1848–1919), businessman, entrepreneur, inventor and graphic artist
*[[Alexander Pfänder]] (1870–1941), philosopher
*[[Karl Rasche]] (1892–1951), SS honor and rank leader for special use with the rank of [[Obersturmbannführer]] and board member and spokesman of the [[Dresdner Bank]]
*[[Wilhelm Wessel]] (1904–1971), painter
*[[Curt Rechel]] (1902–1973), Navy officer 
*[[Walter Bosse]] (1904–1979), artist, designer, and potter
*[[Richard Friederich Arens]] (1919–2000), mathematician
*[[Gerd Roellecke]] (1927–2011), jurist and legal philosopher
*[[Aloys Kontarsky]] (1931–2017), pianist
*[[Alfons Kontarsky]] (1932–2010), pianist
*[[Bernhard Kontarsky]] (born 1937), conductor and pianist
*[[Jochen Busse]] (born 1941), actor and cabaret artist
*[[Helmut Neuhaus]] (born 1944), historian on Early modern period
*[https://warlegends.co/wiki/heroes/albert-ernst/] Albert Ernst (1912–1986) World War 2 tank ace, who saved the city by peacefully surrendering to US troops
*[[Harm Klueting]] (born 1949), Roman Catholic clergyman, historian, theologian and university lecturer
*[[Volker Fischer]] (born 1950), fencer
*[[Ulrich Walter]] (born 1954), astronaut
*[[Gordon Brown (sculptor)|Gordon Brown]] (1958–2020), sculptor
*[[Timothy Paul Evans]] (born 1962), British general lieutenant and commander of the ARRC
*[[Matthias Mellinghaus]] (born 1965), rowing sportsman, film director and assistant director, Olympiasieger 1988
*[[Brian Glynn]] (born 1967), ice hockey player
*[[Marsha Wattanapanich]] (born 1970), Thai singer and actress
*[[Markus Giesler]] (born 1976), consumer researcher
*{{Interlanguage link|Caput(Rapper){{!}}Caput|de|3=Caput (Rapper)}} (born Soner Duman) (born 1983), rapper
*[[Thore Schölermann]] (born 1984), actor
*[[Dieter Orendorz]] (born 1992), ice hockey player
*[[David Beckmann]] (born 2000), car racing driver
*[[Monty Don]] (born 1955), gardener
*[[Kevin Orendorz]] (born 1995), professional ice hockey player

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Götz Bettge: ''Iserlohn-Lexikon.'' Iserlohn 1987. {{ISBN|3-922885-37-3}}.
* Ernst Dossmann: ''Iserlohner Tabaksdosen erzählen.'' Ein Einblick in die wirtschaftlichen, gesellschaftlichen, politischen und militärischen Verhältnisse und das Aufblühen von Gewerbe, Industrie und Handel im märkisch-westfälischen Wirtschaftsraum während der Regierungszeit Friedrichs des Großen, dargestellt an bekannten Iserlohner Industrieerzeugnissen. 1981. {{ISBN|3-922885-01-2}}.
*Margret Kirchhoff: ''Pulsschläge einer Stadt.'' Die Oberste Stadtkirche Iserlohn – Zeitbilder und Momentaufnahmen. 2003. Eigenverlag Dr. Margret Kirchhoff.
*Fritz Kühn: ''Liebes altes Iserlohn.'' (released about 1956). Westfalenverlag Dortmund
* Peter Müller und Günter Stalp: ''Unsere gute alte Straßenbahn.'' Eine Reise in die Vergangenheit. Iserlohn 1995. {{ISBN|3-922885-78-0}}.
* Hans-Herbert Mönnig Verlag Iserlohn (no author mentioned): ''Iserlohn – unsere lebendige Stadt.'' Ein Bildband von Iserlohnern für Iserlohner. Iserlohn 1997. {{ISBN|3-922885-93-4}}.
* Heinz Stoob (†): ''Westfälischer Städteatlas''; Band: I; 9 Teilband (Stadtmappe Iserlohn). Im Auftrage der Historischen Kommission für Westfalen und mit Unterstützung des Landschaftsverbandes Westfalen-Lippe; edited by Heinz Stoob and Wilfried Ehbrecht. Dortmund-Altenbeken, 1975. {{ISBN|3-89115-336-8}}.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Iserlohn}}
{{commons|Iserlohn}}
*{{Official website}} {{in lang|de}}
*[https://www.ikz-online.de/ Newspaper ''Iserlohner Kreisanzeiger und Zeitung''] {{in lang|de}}

{{Cities and towns in Märkischer Kreis (district)}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Iserlohn| ]]
[[Category:Towns in North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Märkischer Kreis]]
[[Category:Members of the Hanseatic League]]