Arnsberg, city, North Rhine–Westphalia Land (state), western Germany. It lies along a loop of the Ruhr River, east of Iserlohn. Situated between wooded mountains and known as the Pearl of the Sauerland (southern land of Westphalia), Arnsberg is a popular spa and summer resort. The city originated in the 11th century around a castle of the counts of Werl and was chartered in 1238. The countship of Arnsberg was under the jurisdiction of the electors of Cologne after the 12th century and was the main seat of the Westphalian fehmic courts (or Vehmgericht; medieval secret tribunals that usurped many functions of government). The ruins of the old castle and the 13th–14th-century church of Wedinghausen Abbey are notable. Industries include paper milling, woodworking, the manufacture of metalware, electrical engineering, printing, and the production of packing materials. Pop. (2003 est.) 76,985.