Biegebene

Biegebene is a fictional rural municipality located in the northern highlands of Nordmark, a hypothetical country used in regional fiction. The community sits in the Biegebäche valley near the Biegebach river at an elevation of about 180 meters. The landscape combines pastures, deciduous forest and small streams, with a temperate maritime climate that supports dairy farming and mixed agriculture.

History and name: The toponym Biegebene is believed to derive from Old Germanic elements referring to a bend or curve in a meadow. The first documented reference dates from the 13th century, and the settlement grew around a parish church and a small mill through the medieval and early modern periods.

Administration: Biegebene is part of the Silberwald district and cooperates with adjacent communities on shared services. The municipal council comprises twelve seats, and the mayor, as of the latest term, is Lene Hoffmann (2021–2025).

Economy and infrastructure: The economy is rural, with dairy farming, crop production and forestry dominating. Small-scale tourism focuses on hiking, rural heritage and the river valley. Transportation includes a regional road and a single stop on the Nordmark Rural Line, plus limited bus service to Silberwald.

Culture and landmarks: Notable sites include the parish church of St. Nikolaus (built in 1764) and the historic Biegebene Watermill. An annual harvest festival, the Biegemarkt, takes place each autumn.

Demographics: The population is around 2,300, primarily native Nordmarkers with a small immigrant community. The local language is Nordmarkian, with a regional dialect used in daily life.

Notable people: The 19th-century poet Claudia Weiss is recorded as having resided in Biegebene for a period.