Happy TravellerWelcome to Achim, a charming town located in the district of Verden, Lower Saxony, Germany. Situated on the right bank of the Weser river, Achim is a picturesque town that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities. With a population of over 30,000, Achim is the largest town in the district of Verden and is located just 16 km southeast of Bremen.
Achim lies in the Weser Depression, an Urstromtal, and is surrounded by primarily moorland in its natural state. The town has an elevation between 12 and 40 metres above sea level, and an area of 65.1 km2. The area surrounding Achim is perfect for nature lovers, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the beautiful countryside.
The history of Achim dates back to the 12th century when Christian missionaries erected a baptismal church in the town. The church was the predecessor of St. Laurentius Church in Achim, built in 1257. Achim was a meeting place of old Saxon courts, and the court met three times annually. The first recorded mention of Achim came in 1091 as Arahem. During the War on Lunenburgian Succession (1370–1388), Achim was set on fire in 1381 because of the fights between Duke Albrecht of Saxe-Wittenberg, Duke-designate of Brunswick and Lunenburg, and the Prince-Archbishop of Bremen, Albert II, titular Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg.
From 1626 Achim was controlled alternately by Danes and Swedes. In 1648 the Prince-Archbishopric was transformed into the Duchy of Bremen, which was first ruled in personal union by the Swedish Crown and from 1715 on by the House of Hanover. During the Third Silesian or Seven Years War, it was controlled by France. In 1807 the ephemeric Kingdom of Westphalia annexed the Duchy of Bremen, including Achim, before France annexed it in 1810. Achim became the capital of a homonymous canton within the Département des Bouches-du-Weser. In 1813 the Duchy was restored to the Electorate of Hanover. In 1814 the Electorate was upgraded to the Kingdom of Hanover at the Congress of Vienna. In 1823 Hanover incorporated the Duchy in a real union and the ducal territory, including Achim, became part of the Stade Region, established in 1823.
Achim is home to several international companies including Vitakraft and Desma shoe machines. Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola and Amazon.com, Inc. also have branch offices in the city. The town is well-connected by road and rail, with a train station that has existed in Achim since 1847. Achim lies along the track between Bremen and Hannover.
If you’re looking for a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination in Germany, Achim is the perfect place to visit. With its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and modern amenities, Achim has something to offer every traveler. The town is twinned with Cēsis, Latvia and Nowa Sól, Poland. Notable people that were born or lived in Achim include Friedrich Wilhelm Kleukens, German graphic designer and typographer, Christian Heinrich Kleukens, calligrapher and poet, Carl Huneke, German-American master stained glass artist and craftsman, Karl Ravens, German politician (SPD), former federal minister, Fritz-Heiner Hepke, politician (SPD), 1998-2003 deputy in the state parliament of Lower Saxony, Martin Schmidt, handball player, Matthias Weidenhöfer, German actor, Felix Wiedwald, football player, and Deniz Undav, football player. Come and discover the hidden gem of Achim!
