HILDEN

city, North Rhine-Westphalia Land (state), northwestern Germany, situated on the Itter, an east-bank tributary of the Rhine, just southeast of Dsseldorf. The city grew out of an estate of the archbishops of Cologne, first mentioned in 1169, and it was chartered in 1861. Historical landmarks include the early town fortifications (Holterhfchen), the parish church (1136), and the birthplace of Wilhelm Fabry (Fabricius Hildanus), the Renaissance doctor and "father of German surgery." Hilden's industry is diversified; the major traditional products are metals and textiles. The nearby Hilden Heide (heath) is a nature preserve with unusual flora. Pop. (1989 est.) 53,725.