Definition
Listerfehrda is a village (Ortsteil) in the town of Kemberg, situated in the Wittenberg district of the federal state of Saxony‑Anhalt, Germany.
Overview
Listerfehrda lies on the right bank of the Elbe River, approximately 20 km southeast of the district capital, Wittenberg. The settlement is part of the administrative community (Verbandsgemeinde) of Kemberg. As of the most recent statistical data (2021), the village has a population of roughly 300 inhabitants. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and small‑scale tourism, benefiting from its proximity to the Elbe and the surrounding natural landscape. The village is connected by regional roads to nearby towns such as Kemberg and Zahna, and the nearest railway station is located in Kemberg.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Listerfehrda” is of Germanic origin, likely composed of two elements: “Lister,” referring to the nearby Lister River, a tributary of the Elbe, and “Fehrda,” derived from the Old High German word farða meaning “ford” or “crossing.” Thus, the name historically denoted a crossing point on the Lister River. Precise historical documentation of the name’s evolution is limited; therefore, detailed etymological confirmation is not available.
Characteristics
- Geography: The village is set in a floodplain of the Elbe, featuring low‑lying terrain with elevations ranging from 60 to 70 m above sea level. The surrounding area includes mixed farmland, meadows, and riparian woodlands.
- Architecture: Listerfehrda retains several traditional half‑timber (Fachwerk) houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. The village church, St. Martin’s, built in the late 19th century, serves as a focal point for community events.
- Demographics: The population is characterized by an aging demographic profile, common to many rural localities in eastern Germany.
- Infrastructure: Public services are provided by the municipal administration of Kemberg. Educational facilities are located in neighboring villages, while basic retail and postal services operate within Listerfehrda.
- Cultural Life: Annual events include a harvest festival (Erntefest) and a local choir concert, reflecting the village’s cultural traditions.
Related Topics
- Kemberg (municipality)
- Wittenberg district
- Saxony‑Anhalt (state)
- Elbe River floodplain settlements
- Rural development in eastern Germany
Accurate information is not confirmed for the precise historical origins of the place‑name and for population figures that may have changed after the latest available census.