# Dudweiler

Dudweiler is a district (Stadtteil) of **Saarbrücken**, the capital of the Saarland state in southwestern Germany. Here is a comprehensive overview of what is known about it:

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## Geography and Location

- Dudweiler is located in the **northeastern part of Saarbrücken**, situated in the Saar region near the French border.
- It lies in the valley of the **Sulzbach stream**, a tributary of the Saar River.
- The area is surrounded by forested hills typical of the Saarland landscape.

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## History

### Early History
- The area has evidence of settlement going back to Celtic and Roman times, as is common in the broader Saar region.
- The name "Dudweiler" likely has medieval Germanic origins.

### Coal Mining Era
- Dudweiler became highly significant during the **coal mining boom** of the 18th and 19th centuries.
- It is home to one of the **oldest documented coal mines in the Saar coalfield**.
- The **Dudweiler colliery** was among the earliest systematically exploited mines in the region, with records going back to the early 18th century.
- Coal mining shaped the social and economic character of the town for over two centuries.

### The Burning Mountain (Brennender Berg)
- One of Dudweiler's most famous historical curiosities is the **Brennender Berg** ("Burning Mountain").
- This is a **coal seam that has been burning underground** for centuries — one of the longest-burning coal fires in the world.
- Historical records suggest it has been burning since at least the **mid-18th century** (around 1688 or thereabouts by some accounts, with others suggesting the fire may be even older).
- The fire was famously visited and described by **Johann Wolfgang von Goethe** during his travels to the region.
- It remains a local landmark and point of geological and historical interest.

### Political History
- Like the rest of Saarland, Dudweiler has a complex political history, having been under **French**, **German**, and **League of Nations / Saar Protectorate** administration at various points.
- After World War II, the Saar was under **French administration** as a protectorate until the **Saar Statute referendum of 1955**, after which it was reintegrated into West Germany in **1957**.
- Dudweiler was an **independent municipality** for much of its history before being incorporated into Saarbrücken as part of municipal reforms in **1974**.

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## Demographics and Character

- Dudweiler is one of the larger districts of Saarbrücken by population.
- It has a character typical of former **industrial working-class communities** in the Ruhr/Saar regions.
- Like much of Saarland, it experienced population decline and economic challenges following the **collapse of the coal and steel industries** in the latter 20th century.

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## Economy

- Historically dominated by **coal mining**, which has since ceased.
- The post-industrial transition has brought **retail, services, and small businesses** to the area.
- Its proximity to central Saarbrücken means many residents commute or are connected to the broader urban economy.

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## Culture and Landmarks

- **Brennender Berg (Burning Mountain)** – The smoldering underground coal seam, a unique geological and historical site, accessible via hiking trails.
- Local churches, including older Catholic and Protestant congregations reflecting the mixed religious heritage of the region.
- The area has typical Saarland architecture, including workers' housing (Bergmannshäuser) from the mining era.
- There are local **sports clubs**, cultural associations, and community organizations typical of German Stadtteile.

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## Transportation

- Dudweiler is connected to Saarbrücken and the wider region via **road and public transportation**.
- It has historically been served by regional **rail connections**.
- The **Saarbrücken tram/light rail (Saarbahn)** network provides connections to the city center.

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## Notable Associations

- **Goethe's visit** to the Brennender Berg is perhaps the most famous cultural connection, as he mentioned it in his writings about the region.
- The area is associated with the broader history of **Saar coal mining**, which is a major theme in regional identity and heritage.

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## Summary

Dudweiler is a historically significant former mining community that is now a district of Saarbrücken. Its most distinctive feature is the **Brennender Berg**, a centuries-old underground coal fire. It reflects the industrial heritage of the Saarland region and has undergone the post-industrial transitions typical of former coal-mining communities in Western Europe.

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*Note: Some specific details, such as exact dates regarding the Burning Mountain, vary across sources, and I would recommend consulting local historical archives or regional sources for precise figures.*
