Stade is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Metropolregion Hamburg). It is the seat of the district named after it. The city was first mentioned in a document from 994. Stade is located on the German Timber-Frame Road.
The German Timber-Frame Road, which covers Germany from north to south, joins unique landscapes, historic sites and carefully restored monuments. Health resorts and festival locations alternate with nature parks and romantic nooks. Cider and Bock beer were invented here and hardly any other tourist route can offer such a variety of German culinary delights. Germany’s northernmost vineyard, the biggest Christmas candle in the world and Germany’s only Ivory Museum are all located on this historical trail. There are many events, festivals and markets throughout the year, which can be explored by car, bicycle, train, or motor-home.
In past decades, Stade has economically benefited significantly from the presence of chemical and aerospace industry at the Elbe river, most notably Dow Chemical and Airbus. Also by the Elbe at Stade is the decommissioned Stade Nuclear Power Plant, which was connected to the power grid from 1972 to 2003. By the time the plant was brought offline, it was Germany’s second oldest reactor. Following Germany’s 2002 decision to phase out nuclear power generation, Stade was the first German plant to be affected; it was closed down permanently on November 14, 2003. The process of dismantling the facility is supposed to be completed by 2015. Close to the former nuclear plant there is an inactive oil-fired power station, the Schilling Power Station.
In medieval times (from the 13th century to the late 17th century), Stade was a prominent member of the Hanseatic League, but was later eclipsed by Hamburg. Since 2008 the city is again allowed to name itself officially Hanseatic City.
