Waldkirchen
Encyclopedia
Waldkirchen is the biggest town in the district of Freyung-Grafenau
in Germany
.
. In the 13th century the Bishop of Passau
gave Waldkirchen the title of a "Markt" (market
).
After several raids of Bohemian
soldiers during the 15th century the city was surrounded by the "Ringmauer", a big stonewall which is still to be seen in many places of the city.
Belonging to the Bishop of Passau's territory for more than 600 years, the city became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria
in 1806 and in 1871 of the German Empire
.
Waldkirchen burned down 6 times (1492- 1945). The last time was on April 26th 1945, when Waldkirchen was destroyed by advancing American
troops because of a misunderstanding. Thereby died eight persons and 48 houses and also the historical church were destroyed. Thus 120 families became homeless.
The totally devastated city was rebuilt during the 1950s and became a "Stadt" (City) in 1972.
Waldkirchen was host of the 2007 Landesgartenschau.
-St.Peter and St.Paul Church
-Schratzlgaenge (hidden labyrinth under the city)
- Marketplace
Freyung-Grafenau
Freyung-Grafenau is a district in Bavaria, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Passau, Deggendorf, Regen, the Czech Republic and by Austria.-History:...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
History
It was mentioned for the first time in 1203. Soon it became an important trading place along the "Goldener Steig" (Golden Path), a salt-trading route between Bavaria and Bohemia in the late Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. In the 13th century the Bishop of Passau
Bishop of Passau
The Diocese of Passau is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in Germany. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of München und Freising. The diocese covers an area of 5,442 km². The current bishop is Wilhelm Schraml.-History:...
gave Waldkirchen the title of a "Markt" (market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
).
After several raids of Bohemian
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a resident of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, either in a narrow sense as the region of Bohemia proper or in a wider meaning as the whole country, now known as the Czech Republic. The word "Bohemian" was used to denote the Czech people as well as the Czech language before the word...
soldiers during the 15th century the city was surrounded by the "Ringmauer", a big stonewall which is still to be seen in many places of the city.
Belonging to the Bishop of Passau's territory for more than 600 years, the city became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria
Kingdom of Bavaria
The Kingdom of Bavaria was a German state that existed from 1806 to 1918. The Bavarian Elector Maximilian IV Joseph of the House of Wittelsbach became the first King of Bavaria in 1806 as Maximilian I Joseph. The monarchy would remain held by the Wittelsbachs until the kingdom's dissolution in 1918...
in 1806 and in 1871 of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
.
Waldkirchen burned down 6 times (1492- 1945). The last time was on April 26th 1945, when Waldkirchen was destroyed by advancing American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
troops because of a misunderstanding. Thereby died eight persons and 48 houses and also the historical church were destroyed. Thus 120 families became homeless.
The totally devastated city was rebuilt during the 1950s and became a "Stadt" (City) in 1972.
Waldkirchen was host of the 2007 Landesgartenschau.
Inhabitants
- 1979: 8,835
- 1982: 8,882
- 1992: 10,067
- 2005: 10,673 City centre: 3,613 Villages: 7,060
Sights
-City Wall-St.Peter and St.Paul Church
-Schratzlgaenge (hidden labyrinth under the city)
- Marketplace