Kaiserslautern, Germany and Davenport, Iowa became sister cities on June 10, 1960. Kaiserslautern was chosen as Davenport’s sister city because of its close resemblance to Davenport in demographics, economics and geography. Kaiserslautern’s name came, in part, from the wealth of water and forest which are very much a part of the city. The emperor Federick I (Kaiser) built a palace in this corner of his realm in 1140 because of the beauty of the forests which meant plentiful game, and the clear water stream (lauter) which comes from the forest flowing north, which is known as the Waldlauter. The region protects its forest, and its water is still clear to this day. It is a modern city with many remnants of the past. But, as those who have been there can attest, its greatest asset is its people. Click here for more information on Kaiserslautern. (Link to Visitor’s Guide at end of doc.) The Kaiserslautern partnership includes:

• Community development projects like, K-Square and Lady Germania in downtown Davenport and the Davenport Plaza on Kaiserslautern’s university campus
• High school youth exchange hosting international experiences for hundreds of Davenport and Kaiserslautern youth since the late 1970s
• Saint Ambrose University professional exchange with Kaiserslautern University of Technology
• Upcoming Kaiserslautern exhibit at the German American Heritage Center in partnership with the Kaiserslautern Municipal Museum
• Faith-based exchange between Davenport First Presbyterian Church and Dietrich Bonhoeffer Kirche in Kaiserslautern