Riesa


Riesa is a town in the district of Meißen in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is located on the Elbe River, approximately northwest of Dresden.

History

The name Riesa is derived from Slavic Riezowe. This name, romanised as "Rezoa", appears first in October 1119 in a document from Pope Callixtus II.
The world's first 110 kV power line was installed between Riesa and Lauchhammer in 1912. Between 1952 and 1994, Riesa was the seat of a district.
During the 1980s, Riesa was the headquarters of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany's 9th Tank Division.

Population history

The city grew from the start of the 20th century due to industrialisation. The population declined after German Reunification in 1989. The local steel works shut and the population fell from 52,000 to 31,000.

Sons and daughters of the city

Riesa has a 25 m tall, 234 tonne, cast-iron sculpture of an oak trunk, named Elbquelle, which means source of the Elbe, by Jörg Immendorff, erected in 1999. Local folk call the sculpture by many other names, most notably "Rostige Eiche", which means "rusty oak".
In the city of Riesa there are two famous churches. The minster St. Marien was built in 1261 as an addition to the Benedictine Abbey. The Trinitatis Church was completed in 1897.
Riesa is known locally for the SACHSENarena, a large hall which hosted the European Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2003 and the World Sumo Wrestling Championship in October 2004.

Culture

Riesa is well known locally for its pasta, which is produced at Teigwaren Riesa GmbH. Another symbol of Riesa are the Riesaer Zündhölzer, the matches which were traditionally manufactured there.
Very famous is also the steel production in Riesa.
Notable people from Riesa include the former footballer Ulf Kirsten.
Riesa has a football club, BSG Stahl Riesa. The club's crest is blue and white, as are the club colours. They play now in the Landesliga Sachsen.

Twin towns - sister cities

Riesa is twinned with:
is located north of the town's centre, it offers both regional and long-distance services.
Riesa is located on Bundesstraße 169, which ensures access to federal motorways A 14 and A 13.