Rotenburg

Rotenburg may refer to more than one place in Germany. The two principal towns with this name are Rotenburg an der Fulda in Hesse and Rotenburg (Wümme) in Lower Saxony.

Rotenburg an der Fulda is a town in the state of Hesse, located in the district of Hersfeld-Rotenburg in the northeastern part of the state. It lies on the Fulda River and functions as a local center for the surrounding towns and villages. The town has a historic center with timber-framed houses and several religious and cultural landmarks. Its economy includes small and medium-sized enterprises, services, and agricultural activity in the surrounding region.

Rotenburg (Wümme) is a town in Lower Saxony and the administrative seat of the district of Rotenburg (Wümme). It sits on the Wümme River, roughly 60 kilometers south of Hamburg. The town retains a medieval core with notable buildings such as the town hall and local churches. It serves as a local hub for administration, commerce, and transportation in northern Lower Saxony. The district surrounding the town shares the same name.

Etymology-wise, the name Rotenburg combines the elements rot (red) and burg (fortress or castle), a common German toponym indicating a fortified place. There are other places with similar names in Germany, but they are distinct from the Rotenburgs discussed above.