Plettenberg, Historical Hanseatic city in Märkischer Kreis, Germany.
Plettenberg is a town in Märkischer Kreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, spreading across four valleys shaped by the rivers Lenne, Else, Oester and Grüne. Elevations range from just under 200 meters to over 660 meters, giving the landscape a rolling topography.
The settlement received town rights in 1397 from the dukes of Mark after they acquired it from Cologne. Schwarzenberg castle was built during this period as a seat of power.
The name comes from a hillside owned by the counts of Mark, whose legacy remains visible in the townscape today. Coats of arms and building facades show motifs that recall the former belonging to this noble family.
The central position in southern Westphalia makes it easy to reach by car or public transport. The valleys and ridges require sturdy footwear, especially when exploring outside the town centers.
The current area of about 96 square kilometers came into being in 1941 through the incorporation of surrounding villages. This administrative reform shaped the modern structure of the town with its many districts.
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