Lüdenscheid, city, North Rhine–Westphalia Land (state), west-central Germany. It is situated in the hilly, wooded Sauerland region between the Lenne and Volme rivers, southeast of Essen. A Frankish settlement in the 9th century and chartered in 1278, it became a centre of the iron industry during the Middle Ages and was a member of the Hanseatic League. It passed with Cleves-Mark to Brandenburg in 1609 and to Prussia in 1815. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1723. An industrial and metalworking centre, Lüdenscheid manufactures aluminum, metal products, machinery, plastics, and synthetics. The city is also a regional administrative and commercial centre. Notable landmarks are the parish church of the Saviour (located in the centre of the old town), with a tower dating from 1072, and the moated castle of Neuenhof. Pop. (2003 est.) 79,829.