Senftenberg () is a town in Lower Lusatia, Brandenburg, Germany, capital of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district. Geography Senftenberg is located in the southwest of the historic Lower Lusatia region at the border with Saxony. Its town centre is situated north of the river Black Elster and the artificial Senftenberger Lake, part of the Lusatian Lake District chain, approximately northwest of Hoyerswerda, and southwest of Cottbus. Senftenberg station is north of the centre and a major railway freight yard is located to its north-east, with a locomotive depot. History Senftenberg was first mentioned in a 1279 deed issued by Henry III the Illustrious of Wettin, then margrave of Lusatia. With Lower Lusatia, the settlement was acquired by the Kingdom of Bohemia under Charles IV of Luxembourg in 1368. Elector Frederick II of Saxony acquired Senftenberg in 1448, whereafter the area as a border stronghold of the House of Wettin was separated from Bohemian Lusatia, until in 1635 all Lusatian territories fell to Saxony by the Peace of Prague. According to the 1815 Congress of Vienna, Lower Lusatia was annexed by Prussia and incorporated into the Province of Brandenburg. From 1952 to 1990, it was part of the Bezirk Cottbus of East Germany. Names Lake Senftenberg Lake Senftenberg is a popular tourist destination. In 1973, the former open cast mine, was officially opened to the public. Today, the lake is known for its excellent water quality. It is part of the so-called Lusatian Lakeland, a group of 23 artificial lakes. Demography After the second half of the 19th century the inhabitants increased because of workers coming to Senftenberg to work in the coal mines. After the German Reunion, many inhabitants moved to the western part of Germany. Sports In Senftenberg is the soccer club FSV Glückauf Brieske-Senftenberg. Twin towns – sister cities Senftenberg is twinned with: Fresagrandinaria, Italy Nowa Sól, Poland Püttlingen, Germany Saint-Michel-sur-Orge, France Senftenberg, Austria Veszprém, Hungary Žamberk, Czech Republic Notable people Hermann Kuhnt (1850–1925), ophthalmologist Herbert Windt (1894–1965), composer Joachim Sauer (born 1949), chemist and professor Gallery References External links Populated places in Oberspreewald-Lausitz