Gummersbach

Gummersbach is a district town in Oberbergischer Kreis, roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Cologne, with a population close to 51,000. Streets run through several valleys separated by wooded hills, creating a varied townscape.

A document from 1109 mentions the place for the first time when Archbishop Frederick I recorded a church tax. Later, the area belonged to the County of Gimborn until it passed to Prussia in 1815 and became a district seat.

The name comes from Gumbracht, an old word referring to the stream that runs through the center. Traces of the textile trade still shape how streets and old factory buildings appear throughout the area.

Regional trains run regularly to Cologne and Lüdenscheid, making arrival by public transport straightforward. Visitors driving can reach the town via the A4 and A45 motorways, which pass nearby.

In Lieberhausen, a district, stands the Bunte Kerke, a small church with wall paintings from medieval times. These images show biblical scenes and are among the oldest surviving artworks in the region.

Location: Oberbergischer Kreis

Location: Kreis Gimborn

Location: Kreis Gummersbach

Location: Grevskapet Gimborn

Elevation above the sea: 250 m

Shares border with: Marienheide, Drolshagen, Bergneustadt

Website: https://gummersbach.de

GPS coordinates: 51.03333,7.56667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:36