Landshut
Encyclopedia
Landshut is a city in Bavaria
in the south-east of Germany, belonging to both Eastern and Southern Bavaria. Situated on the banks of the River Isar
, Landshut is the capital of Lower Bavaria
, one of the seven administrative regions of the Free State
of Bavaria. It is also the seat of the surrounding district
. With a population of more than 60,000, Landshut is the largest city in Lower Bavaria, followed by Passau
and Straubing
, as well as Eastern Bavaria's second biggest city after Regensburg
.
Owing to its characteristic coat of arms, the city is also often called "Three Helmets City" .
Due to its proximity and easy access to Munich
and the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport
, situated halfway between Munich and Landshut on the banks of the Isar, the city has East Bavaria's lowest unemployment rate (ca. 4.2% in October 2006), lower than the Bavarian average of ca. 5.8%.
runs through the city centre. Landshut is about 72 kilometres (44.7 mi) northeast of Munich
.
The city of Landshut and Trausnitz castle were founded in 1204 by Duke Louis I. Landshut was already a Wittelsbach
residence by 1231, and in 1255, when the duchy of Bavaria was split in two, Landshut also became the capital of Lower Bavaria. Duke Henry XVI
was the first of the three famous rich dukes who ruled Bayern-Landshut in the 15th century. The wedding of Duke George
with the Polish Princess Royal Jadwiga Jagiellon in 1475 was celebrated in Landshut with one of the most splendid festivals of the Middle Ages (called "Landshuter Hochzeit
"). After his death and the Landshut War of Succession
, Bavaria-Landshut was reunited with Bavaria-Munich
.
Louis X, Duke of Bavaria
built the Landshut Residence 1537–1543 after his visit to Italy. Louis built the first Renaissance
palace constructed north of the Alps after the Palazzo Te in Mantua
. William V, Duke of Bavaria
ordered to upgrade Trausnitz Castle
from a gothic fortification into a renaissance complex when he lived in Landshut as crown prince for ten years until 1579. Afterwards Landshut lost most of its importance until the University of Ingolstadt
was moved to Landshut in 1800. But already in 1826 the university was transferred to Munich.
During World War II
, a subcamp of Dachau concentration camp was located in the city to provide slave labour for local industry.
The U.S. Army maintained facilities in Landshut, including Pinder Kaserne and a dependent housing area, until 1965.
Since the opening of Munich airport close to Landshut in 1992 the city has become an attractive business location.
The city is of national importance because of its predominantly Gothic architecture
within the historic city centre, especially Trausnitz Castle
and the Church of Saint Martin featuring the world's tallest brick tower. Among other Gothic architecture are the churches of St. Jodok and Holy Spirit, but also the Town Hall and the Ländtor, the only still existing gate of the medieval fortification.
Landshut is also known for a festival celebrated every four years called the Landshuter Hochzeit
, commemorating the 1475 marriage of George of Bavaria and Jadwiga Jagiellon.
The renaissance era produced in particular the decorated inner courtyard of the Trausnitz Castle and the ducal Landshut Residence
in the inner city. Baroque churches are represented by the Jesuit church St. Ignatius, the Dominican church St. Blasius and the church of St. Joseph. Also the medieval churches of the Seligenthal Monastery and of the Cistercians were redesigned in baroque style. Many old middle-class houses of the past in the Old Town still represent the history of the city from the Gothic times to the Neo-Classicism.
There are also two nuclear power plants located 14 km away from Landshut, Isar I (Inactive) and Isar II (Active until 2022).
, United Kingdom
, since 1956 Compiègne
, France
, since 1962 Ried im Innkreis
, Austria
, since 1974 Schio
, Italy
, since 1981 Sibiu
, Romania
, since 2002
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
in the south-east of Germany, belonging to both Eastern and Southern Bavaria. Situated on the banks of the River Isar
Isar
The Isar is a river in Tyrol, Austria and Bavaria, Germany. Its source is in the Karwendel range of the Alps in Tyrol; it enters Germany near Mittenwald, and flows through Bad Tölz, Munich, and Landshut before reaching the Danube near Deggendorf. At 295 km in length, it is the fourth largest river...
, Landshut is the capital of Lower Bavaria
Lower Bavaria
Lower Bavaria is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of the state.- Geography :Lower Bavaria is subdivided into two regions - Landshut and Donau-Wald. Recent election results mark it as the most conservative part of Germany, generally giving huge...
, one of the seven administrative regions of the Free State
Free state (government)
Free state is a term occasionally used in the official titles of some states.In principle the title asserts and emphasises the freedom of the state in question, but what this actually means varies greatly in different contexts:...
of Bavaria. It is also the seat of the surrounding district
Landshut (district)
Landshut is a district in Bavaria, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Kelheim, Straubing-Bogen, Dingolfing-Landau, Rottal-Inn, Mühldorf, Erding and Freising. The city of Landshut is enclosed by, but does not belong to the district...
. With a population of more than 60,000, Landshut is the largest city in Lower Bavaria, followed by Passau
Passau
Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the Dreiflüssestadt or "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north....
and Straubing
Straubing
Straubing is an independent city in Lower Bavaria, southern Germany. It is seat of the district of Straubing-Bogen. Annually in August the Gäubodenvolksfest, the second largest fair in Bavaria, is held....
, as well as Eastern Bavaria's second biggest city after Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
.
Owing to its characteristic coat of arms, the city is also often called "Three Helmets City" .
Due to its proximity and easy access to Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
and the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport
Munich International Airport
Munich Airport , is located northeast of Munich, Germany, and is a hub for Lufthansa and Star Alliance partner airlines. It lies nearby the old city of Freising and is named in memory of politician Franz Josef Strauss...
, situated halfway between Munich and Landshut on the banks of the Isar, the city has East Bavaria's lowest unemployment rate (ca. 4.2% in October 2006), lower than the Bavarian average of ca. 5.8%.
Settings
Landshut lies in the centre of Lower Bavaria, and is part of the Alpine foothills. The River IsarIsar
The Isar is a river in Tyrol, Austria and Bavaria, Germany. Its source is in the Karwendel range of the Alps in Tyrol; it enters Germany near Mittenwald, and flows through Bad Tölz, Munich, and Landshut before reaching the Danube near Deggendorf. At 295 km in length, it is the fourth largest river...
runs through the city centre. Landshut is about 72 kilometres (44.7 mi) northeast of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
.
Climate
History
Wittelsbach
The Wittelsbach family is a European royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria.Members of the family served as Dukes, Electors and Kings of Bavaria , Counts Palatine of the Rhine , Margraves of Brandenburg , Counts of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland , Elector-Archbishops of Cologne , Dukes of...
residence by 1231, and in 1255, when the duchy of Bavaria was split in two, Landshut also became the capital of Lower Bavaria. Duke Henry XVI
Henry XVI of Bavaria
Henry XVI of Bavaria , , since 1393 Duke of Bavaria-Landshut. He was a son of duke Frederick and his wife Maddalena Visconti, a daughter of Bernabò Visconti.-Life:...
was the first of the three famous rich dukes who ruled Bayern-Landshut in the 15th century. The wedding of Duke George
George of Bavaria
George of Bavaria referred to as the Rich , was the last Duke of Bavaria-Landshut...
with the Polish Princess Royal Jadwiga Jagiellon in 1475 was celebrated in Landshut with one of the most splendid festivals of the Middle Ages (called "Landshuter Hochzeit
Landshuter hochzeit
The Landshut Wedding is one of the largest historical pageants in Europe. Countless visitors from all over the world have taken part, or have been spectators of the "Landshuter Hochzeit 1475", a pageant held in Landshut, Bavaria . More than 2,000 participants in mediaeval costumes bring the...
"). After his death and the Landshut War of Succession
Landshut War of Succession
The Landshut War of Succession resulted from an agreement between the duchies of Bavaria-Munich and Bavaria-Landshut . The agreement concerned the law of succession when one of the two Dukes should die without a male heir...
, Bavaria-Landshut was reunited with Bavaria-Munich
Bavaria-Munich
-History:After the death of Stephen II in 1375, his sons Stephen III, Frederick, and John II jointly ruled Bavaria-Landshut. After seventeen years, the brothers decided to formally divide their inheritance. John received Bavaria-Munich, Stephen received Bavaria-Ingolstadt, while Frederick kept...
.
Louis X, Duke of Bavaria
Louis X, Duke of Bavaria
Louis X , was Duke of Bavaria , together with his older brother William IV, Duke of Bavaria...
built the Landshut Residence 1537–1543 after his visit to Italy. Louis built the first Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
palace constructed north of the Alps after the Palazzo Te in Mantua
Mantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
. William V, Duke of Bavaria
William V, Duke of Bavaria
William V, Duke of Bavaria , called the Pious, was Duke of Bavaria from 1579 to 1597.- Education and early life :...
ordered to upgrade Trausnitz Castle
Trausnitz Castle
Trausnitz Castle is a medieval castle situated in Landshut, Bavaria in Germany. It was the home of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and it served as their ducal residence for Lower Bavaria from 1255–1503, and later as hereditary rulers of the whole of Bavaria...
from a gothic fortification into a renaissance complex when he lived in Landshut as crown prince for ten years until 1579. Afterwards Landshut lost most of its importance until the University of Ingolstadt
University of Ingolstadt
The University of Ingolstadt was founded in 1472 by Louis the Rich, the Duke of Bavaria at the time, and its first Chancellor was the Bishop of Eichstätt. It consisted of five faculties: humanities, sciences, theology, law and medicine, all of which were contained in the Hoheschule...
was moved to Landshut in 1800. But already in 1826 the university was transferred to Munich.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a subcamp of Dachau concentration camp was located in the city to provide slave labour for local industry.
The U.S. Army maintained facilities in Landshut, including Pinder Kaserne and a dependent housing area, until 1965.
Since the opening of Munich airport close to Landshut in 1992 the city has become an attractive business location.
Main sights and culture
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
within the historic city centre, especially Trausnitz Castle
Trausnitz Castle
Trausnitz Castle is a medieval castle situated in Landshut, Bavaria in Germany. It was the home of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and it served as their ducal residence for Lower Bavaria from 1255–1503, and later as hereditary rulers of the whole of Bavaria...
and the Church of Saint Martin featuring the world's tallest brick tower. Among other Gothic architecture are the churches of St. Jodok and Holy Spirit, but also the Town Hall and the Ländtor, the only still existing gate of the medieval fortification.
Landshut is also known for a festival celebrated every four years called the Landshuter Hochzeit
Landshuter hochzeit
The Landshut Wedding is one of the largest historical pageants in Europe. Countless visitors from all over the world have taken part, or have been spectators of the "Landshuter Hochzeit 1475", a pageant held in Landshut, Bavaria . More than 2,000 participants in mediaeval costumes bring the...
, commemorating the 1475 marriage of George of Bavaria and Jadwiga Jagiellon.
The renaissance era produced in particular the decorated inner courtyard of the Trausnitz Castle and the ducal Landshut Residence
Landshut Residence
The Landshut Residence is a palace in Landshut, Lower Bavaria.-History:In 1536 Louis X, Duke of Bavaria laid the foundation stone for a new residence in the inner city of Landshut. It was begun in German Renaissance style under the architect Bernhard Zwitzel from Augsburg; this palace is today...
in the inner city. Baroque churches are represented by the Jesuit church St. Ignatius, the Dominican church St. Blasius and the church of St. Joseph. Also the medieval churches of the Seligenthal Monastery and of the Cistercians were redesigned in baroque style. Many old middle-class houses of the past in the Old Town still represent the history of the city from the Gothic times to the Neo-Classicism.
Cinemas
- Kinoptikum – Programmkino http://www.kinoptikum.de
- Kinopolis Landshut – Multiplexkino http://www.kinopolis.de
- Burgtheater/Kühlhauskino
Venues
- Eisstadion am GutenbergwegEisstadion am GutenbergwegThe Eisstadion am Gutenbergweg is an indoor sporting arena located in Landshut, Germany. It is primarily used for ice hockey. The complex of buildings consists of two ice rinks, one generally used for training purposes. The second arena is the home venue of the Landshut Cannibals, a professional...
– Indoor Ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
arena, mainly used by the Landshut CannibalsLandshut CannibalsThe Landshut Cannibals are a professional ice hockey team based in Landshut, Bavaria. Currently they are members of the 2nd Bundesliga. The team was founded in 1948 as Eislaufverein Landshut , but since 2002 the professional team is organised as “Landshut Cannibals”. The EVL is still responsible... - Sparkassen-Arena – Mainly used for concerts and fairs
- Grieserwiese – Giant parking area located between Wittstraße and the bank of the river Isar used for the annual Frühjahrs- und Bartlmädult
Businesses
- BMWBMWBayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
- Cine Project
- Dräxlmaier GroupDräxlmaier GroupDräxlmaier Group based in Vilsbiburg, Germany, is an automotive corporation, one of the biggest in Germany.The company has 51 production sites in 20 countries on 4 different continents:-Germany:*Vilsbiburg *Achim*Böblingen*Bruchsal*Emden...
- Deutsche TelekomDeutsche TelekomDeutsche Telekom AG is a telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. It is the largest telecommunications company in Europe....
- ebmpapst
- Endor AG/Fanatec
- Renesas (formerly HitachiHitachi, Ltd.is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company is the parent of the Hitachi Group as part of the larger DKB Group companies...
) - Schott GlassSchott GlassSCHOTT AG is a German manufacturer of high-quality industrial glass products, its main markets are household appliances, pharmaceutical industries, solar energy, electronics, optics as well as automotive...
- T.D.T. Transfer Data Test GmbH
- Josef Urzinger GmbH – Textile Mietdienste
- Vishay
There are also two nuclear power plants located 14 km away from Landshut, Isar I (Inactive) and Isar II (Active until 2022).
Twinnings
ElginElgin, Moray
Elgin is a former cathedral city and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher ground above the flood plain. Elgin is first documented in the Cartulary of Moray in 1190...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, since 1956 Compiègne
Compiègne
Compiègne is a city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.The city is located along the Oise River...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, since 1962 Ried im Innkreis
Ried im Innkreis
Ried im Innkreis is a town in the state of Upper Austria in Austria, approximately 70 km west of Linz and 60 km north of Salzburg...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, since 1974 Schio
Schio
Schio is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza situated North of Vicenza and East of the Lake of Garda. It is surrounded by the Little Dolomites and Mount Pasubio.-History:...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, since 1981 Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, since 2002
Famous citizens
- Rudy Ratzinger, the sole musician of ::wumpscut:.
- Martin StoschMartin StoschMartin Stosch is a German singer and the runner-up of the fourth season of the television show Deutschland sucht den Superstar , the German version of Pop Idol.- Personal life :...
– DSDS Season 4Deutschland sucht den Superstar (Season 4)Deutschland sucht den Superstar Season 4 is the fourth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar which aired on RTL network. Mark Medlock, this season's winner, was awarded a contract with Sony-BMG. The judges in this season were Dieter Bohlen, Heinz Henn, Anja Lukaseder. It was hosted by Marco...
contestant was born in Landshut. - Joseph Zoettl, monk and creator of the Ave Maria GrottoAve Maria GrottoAve Maria Grotto, in Cullman, Alabama, is a landscaped, park in an old quarry on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, providing a garden setting for 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world...
in Cullman, AlabamaCullman, AlabamaCullman is a city in Cullman County, State of Alabama. Cullman is located along Interstate 65, about north of Birmingham, and about south of Huntsville. According to the U.S...
Honorary citizens
- Hans Futterer
- Hans Leinberger
- Roman HerzogRoman HerzogRoman Herzog is a German politician as a member of the Christian Democratic Union, and served as President of Germany from 1994 to 1999...
- Erich KühnhacklErich KühnhacklErich Kühnhackl is a retired German ice hockey player born and raised in Czechoslovakia...
- Ludwig Andreas FeuerbachLudwig Andreas FeuerbachLudwig Andreas von Feuerbach was a German philosopher and anthropologist. He was the fourth son of the eminent jurist Paul Johann Anselm Ritter von Feuerbach, brother of mathematician Karl Wilhelm Feuerbach and uncle of painter Anselm Feuerbach...
- Spitzlberger
- Hansjörg Mößmer
See also
- Battle of AbensbergBattle of AbensbergThe Battle of Abensberg took place on 20 April 1809, between a Franco-German force under the command of Emperor Napoleon I of France and a reinforced Austrian corps led by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Archduke Louis of Austria. As the day wore on, Feldmarschall-Leutnant Johann von Hiller arrived with...
occurred April 20, 1809. - Battle of LandshutBattle of Landshut (1809)The Battle of Landshut took place on April 21, 1809, between the French, Württembergers and Bavarians under Napoleon which numbered about 77,000 strong, and 36,000 Austrians under the General Johann von Hiller...
occurred April 21, 1809. - Battle of EckmühlBattle of EckmühlThe Battle of Eckmühl fought on 21 April – 22 April 1809, was the turning point of the 1809 Campaign, also known as the War of the Fifth Coalition...
occurred 21 April–22 April 1809. - AbensbergAbensbergAbensberg is a town in the Lower Bavarian district of Kelheim, in Bavaria, Germany, lying around 30 km southwest of Regensburg, 40 km east of Ingolstadt, 50 northwest of Landshut and 100 km north of Munich...
- EckmühlEckmühlEckmühl is a village of Germany, in Bavaria, on the Große Laaber, 20 km S.E. of Regensburg...
External links
- http://www.landshut.de – Official website http://www.fh-landshut.de/ kleines Theater Landshut Theater Nikola Stadttheater Landshut (City Theatre) EVL bzw. Cannibals traditionsreicher Eishockey Verein