Waldkirchen

Infobox German Location
type = Stadt
Wappen = Wappen Waldkirchen.pnglat_deg = 48 |lat_min = 43|lat_sec = 49.72
lon_deg = 13 |lon_min = 36|lon_sec = 4.1
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Bayern
Regierungsbezirk = Niederbayern
Landkreis = Freyung-Grafenau
Höhe = 573
Fläche = 80.06
Einwohner = 10516
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 94065
Vorwahl = 08581
Kfz = FRG
Gemeindeschlüssel = 09 2 72 151
Straße = Rathausplatz 1
Website = [http://www.waldkirchen.de/ www.waldkirchen.de]
Bürgermeister = Josef Höppler
Partei = CSU/"Junge Wähler Union"

Waldkirchen is the biggest city in the district of Freyung-Grafenau in Germany.

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 Ages. 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 Bavaria in 1806 and in 1871 of the German Kaiserreich.

Waldkirchen burned down 6 times (1492- 1945).

The last time was on 26th April 1945, when Waldkirchen was destroyed by advancing American troops because of a misunderstanding. A dozen people lost their lives in the barrage. (mainly women and old people)

The totally devastated city was rebuilt during the 1950's and became a "Stadt" (City) in 1972.

Waldkirchen is 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

Religion

*Roman-Catholics: 89%
*Protestant: 6%
*others: 5%

Sights

-City Wall

-St.Peter and St.Paul Church

-Schratzlgaenge (hidden labyrinth under the city)

- Marketplace

Tourism

Waldkirchen's main "industry" is tourism. Embedded in the Bavarian Forest, Waldkirchen is close to Prague, Munich and Vienna.

External links

* http://www.waldkirchen.de/