Overath

Overath is a town in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.GeographyOverath is located about 25 km east of Cologne, in the Bergisches Land. Despite the reclassification as a 'Stadt' (town, though the German understanding leans towards city) years ago due to surpassing the relevant population threshold, the former appellation Gemeinde (parish) seems more appropriate (particularly to the inhabitants) due to the spread-out villages it consists of.The main settlement is in the Agger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. The kleine Heckberg (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the whole Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.Neighbouring cities are Rösrath in the West, Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West, Lindlar in the North-East, Engelskirchen in the East and Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Lohmar in the South.SubdivisionsOverath is divided into 7 parts. Brombach Heiligenhaus Immekeppel Marialinden Steinenbrück Untereschbach VilkerathHistoryWhen first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" . Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing the name changed to "Ouerode", "Ovverode", "Overadt", and finally became "Overath".