Bergisch Gladbach
city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Bergisch Gladbach (German pronunciation: [ˌbɛʁɡɪʃ ˈɡlatbax] ) is a city in the Cologne/Bonn Region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and capital of the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (district).
Geography
Bergisch Gladbach is east of the Rhine and about 10 km east of Cologne.
City structure
The urban area of Bergisch Gladbach is not divided into city districts (Stadtbezirke) with their own district representation. For statistical purposes, there are six statistical districts (statistische Bezirke), which are numbered consecutively and are divided into several districts (de: Stadtteile) with their own names. These are mainly name of former smaller settlements from which today's urban area developed, or new development areas whose names have been memorized over time for better orientation. Bensberg was an independent town until 1975. Before 1975, Schildgen belonged to the municipality of Odenthal.
Statistical District 1: Schildgen (11), Katterbach (12), Nussbaum (13), Paffrath (14), Hand (15)
Statistical District 2: City Center (21), Hebborn (22), Heidkamp (23), Gronau (24)
Statistical District 3: Romaney (31), Herrenstrunden (32), Sand (33)
Statistical District 4: Herkenrath (41), Asselborn (42), Bärbroich (43)
Statistical District 5: Lückerath (51), Bensberg (52), Bockenberg (53), Kaule (54), Moitzfeld (55)
Statistical District 6: Refrath (61), Alt Refrath (62), Kippekausen (63), Frankenforst (64), Lustheide (65)
Neighbouring municipalities
Beginning in the north, the neighbouring municipalities and neighbouring towns are clockwise Odenthal, Kürten, Overath, Rösrath, Cologne, and Leverkusen.
History
Early settlements existed in the 13th century, but the town was officially founded only in 1856.
The word Bergisch in the name does not originate from its location in the county of Berg, and it was not added to distinguish it from Mönchengladbach, as is believed by many people, but from the counts who gave their name to the region.
The public source identifies “Bergisch Gladbach” as city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Bergisch, Gladbach and city.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Bergisch Gladbach”, the useful work is to connect “city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Maps, plans, fabric surveys and administrative records can establish how the site’s name, extent and function changed over time. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 5, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q3117. VIAF identifies the subject as 127841320. The Library of Congress control number is n80097454. Authority coordinates are 50.992, 7.137. 3 of 4 selected statements include explicit references; 1 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1975 and 1856.
A single description cannot reconcile every naming convention, rebuilding phase or administrative transfer associated with a place. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Bergisch Gladbach”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Bergisch Gladbach primary sources, Bergisch Gladbach archive and Bergisch research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Bergisch Gladbach”?
- Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
- What physical evidence or contemporary plan supports the description?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Bergisch Gladbach” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.