Prüm (German: [ˈpʁʏm] ) is a town in the Westeifel (Rhineland-Palatinate), Germany. Formerly a district capital, today it is the administrative seat of the Verbandsgemeinde ("collective municipality") Prüm.

Prüm
Basilica of the Saviour
Basilica of the Saviour
Coat of arms of Prüm
Location of Prüm within Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm district
Prüm is located in Germany
Prüm
Prüm
Prüm is located in Rhineland-Palatinate
Prüm
Prüm
Coordinates: 50°12′29″N 6°25′28″E / 50.20806°N 6.42444°E / 50.20806; 6.42444
CountryGermany
StateRhineland-Palatinate
DistrictEifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm
Municipal assoc.Prüm
Subdivisions5 Stadtteile
Government
 • Mayor (2019–24) Johannes Reuschen[1] (Ind.)
Area
 • Total
22.86 km2 (8.83 sq mi)
Elevation
460 m (1,510 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total
5,536
 • Density240/km2 (630/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
54595
Dialling codes06551
Vehicle registrationBIT, PRÜ
Websitewww.pruem.de

Geography

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Prüm lies on the river Prüm (a tributary of the Sauer) at the southeastern end of the Schneifel, which is 697 m high. Prüm is eponymous for the Prüm syncline (Ger. Prümer Kalkmulde), the largest of the Eifel-lime-synclines. Here, the only GSSP-point in Germany identifies the geological border between the lower Devonian Emsian and the middle Devonian Eifelian.

History

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See main article on the town's former monastery, Prüm Abbey. In 2005, the Prüm Convention was signed in the city by several European countries.

Ninety-two percent of the town was destroyed by bombing and ground fighting during the Second World War. In 1949, it was wrecked again by an explosion on the Kalvarienberg hill caused by a fire in an underground ammunition bunker. Twelve people were killed, 15 injured and 965 left homeless.

Economy and infrastructure

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Economy

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Among the largest employers in the region are MUH Arla, Stihl, Streif, Prüm-Türenwerk and Tesla Grohmann Automation. MUH Arla has its head office at Pronsfeld, 10 kilometres away.

Transport

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Since 1980 it has not been possible to take the train to Prüm, with the exception of freight trains that operated up to the end of the 1990s. In December 2000 the last train went through Prüm, and this was a special event. Since that time, the rail tracks have been dismantled.

The federal highway B265 and B410 cross in Prüm, the autobahn A60 and B51 also run near the city.

Prüm Air Station is located just outside Prüm and is operated by the United States Air Force.

Prümer Sommer

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In July and August Prüm Summer takes place. It begins with a market and a music competition on the streets on the last Sunday in June. During the next eight Thursdays, various guests meet at the town hall, where there are various competitions, such as a beer jug lift and trunk sawing. There is also a bicycle rally, a fashion show, and dances included in the program.

International relations

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Prüm is twinned with: Bangor, Northern Ireland; Monthermé (France, since 1962); Fort Madison, Iowa (United States, since 1998[3])

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ Direktwahlen 2019, Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm, Landeswahlleiter Rheinland-Pfalz, accessed 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand 2022, Kreise, Gemeinden, Verbandsgemeinden" (PDF) (in German). Statistisches Landesamt Rheinland-Pfalz. 2023.
  3. ^ "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2014.