Wolfratshausen
Encyclopedia
Wolfratshausen is a town of the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
, located in Bavaria
, Germany
. The town had a population of 17,118 as of 31 December 2003.
where they were used to build the Residenz.
From 1280 the town was designated a market town. In the 15th century, people were using the Loisach
and Isar
rivers for water transport, especially logging. Even today, you can ride a raft from Wolfratshausen into Munich.
During World War II
, a forced-labor subcamp of Dachau concentration camp named Föhrenwald
was located here. Following the war, the labor camp was used as a displaced persons camp by the Allies. In 1957, Föhrenwald was transformed into a suburb of Wolfratshausen and renamed Waldram, to honor the Lord of Münsing
who was one of the founders of the Benediktbeuern Abbey
.
In modern times, Wolfratshausen was formerly the seat of the district government, but this moved to Bad Tölz
in 1972.
Edmund Stoiber
lives in Wolfratshausen. It is the birthplace of actors Saul Rubinek
and Towje Kleiner.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. It is bounded by Austria and the districts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Weilheim-Schongau, Starnberg, Munich and Miesbach.- History :...
, located in Bavaria
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...
, 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...
. The town had a population of 17,118 as of 31 December 2003.
History
The first mention of "Wolveradeshusun" appears in documents from the year 1003. About 100 years later, Otto II, the Graf of Deißen-Andechs, built a castle on a hill overlooking the valley. The castle was destroyed on 7 April 1734 when lightning struck the tower storing black powder. Stones from the ruins were transported to MunichMunich
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...
where they were used to build the Residenz.
From 1280 the town was designated a market town. In the 15th century, people were using the Loisach
Loisach
The Loisach is a river that flows through Tyrol, Austria and Bavaria, Germany. Its name is Celtic in origin, from Proto-Celtic *lawo and *iskā, both of which mean "water."...
and 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...
rivers for water transport, especially logging. Even today, you can ride a raft from Wolfratshausen into 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 forced-labor subcamp of Dachau concentration camp named Föhrenwald
Föhrenwald
The Föhrenwald DP camp was one of the largest in post-World War II Europe and the last to close . It was located in the section now known as Waldram in Wolfratshausen in Bavaria, Germany....
was located here. Following the war, the labor camp was used as a displaced persons camp by the Allies. In 1957, Föhrenwald was transformed into a suburb of Wolfratshausen and renamed Waldram, to honor the Lord of Münsing
Münsing
Münsing is a municipality in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen in Bavaria in Germany....
who was one of the founders of the Benediktbeuern Abbey
Benediktbeuern Abbey
Benediktbeuern Abbey is a monastery of the Salesians of Don Bosco, originally a monastery of the Benedictine Order, in Benediktbeuern in Bavaria, near the Kochelsee, 64 km south-south-west of Munich...
.
In modern times, Wolfratshausen was formerly the seat of the district government, but this moved to Bad Tölz
Bad Tölz
Bad Tölz is a town in Bavaria, Germany, and administrative center of the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.- History :Since the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, archaeology has shown continuous occupation of the site of Bad Tölz...
in 1972.
Geography
Wolfratshausen sits at the confluence of the Isar and Loisach rivers, at 47°55′N 11°25′E. A canal joins the two rivers to return water diverted for power generation at the Isar Amper Werke to the Isar. The town covers 9.13 square kilometres and is 577 meters above sea level.Town Subdivision
The town of Wolfratshausen is split into the following subdivisions:- AltstadtAltstadtAltstadt is the German language word for "old town", meaning "historical city centre within the city wall", in contrast to a Neustadt built outside later....
- Weidach
- Nantwein
- Farchet
- Waldram
Notable residents
Former Bavarian Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Edmund Stoiber
Edmund Stoiber
Edmund Rüdiger Stoiber is a German politician, former minister-president of the state of Bavaria and former chairman of the Christian Social Union...
lives in Wolfratshausen. It is the birthplace of actors Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek is a Canadian actor, director, producer and playwright, known for his work in TV, film and the stage.-Early life:...
and Towje Kleiner.
Buildings of Note
- Parish Church "St.Andreas" (erected 1484)
- The Humplbräu, a hotel and restaurant in the historic city center (first mentioned in a document in 1619)
- Historic city center (since 2005 with traffic reduction by use of on-way streets)
- The gallery Schwankl-Eck
- The Loisachhalle, a community exhibition and multi-use hall.
Recreation and Travel Destinations
- Amusement park "Märchenwald im Isartal" (opened 1968).
- Log raft rides on the Isar and Loisach
- Castle: Even if now only a Commemorative plaqueCommemorative plaqueA commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text in memory of an important figure or event...
and tuffTuffTuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
remnants harken to the memory of this castle, its size can still be imagined. In 1734 the castle was destroyed by an explosion resulting from a lightning strike to the ammunition tower. - A walk through the hillside forest gives rise to picturesque views of the entire city and the peaks of the KarwendelKarwendelThe Karwendel is the largest range of the Northern Limestone Alps. Four chains stretch from west to east; in addition, there are a number of fringe ranges and an extensive promontory in the north....
and WettersteinWettersteinThe Wetterstein, is a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. It is a compact range between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, Seefeld in Tirol and Ehrwald; partially in Bavaria, Germany and partially in Tyrol, Austria...
mountain ranges, from the WendelsteinWendelsteinWendelstein refers to* Wendelstein, a mountain in the Chiemgau * Wendelstein, Bavaria, a town in the district of Roth in Bavaria, Germany...
in the east to the ZugspitzeZugspitzeThe Zugspitze, at 2,962 metres above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the border between Germany and Austria runs over its western summit. South of the mountain is...
in the south. - Bike riding or rollerblading through the wildlife reserve Isarauen/Pupplinger Au.
- The Japanese gardenJapanese garden, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
Yuko Nihon Teien, a gift from the Japanese sister city Iruma. - Bike ride to Lake Starnberg (about 12.5 miles)
- The Via Bavarica Tyrolensis, a 140 mile bike path from MunichMunichMunich 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...
through the AlpsAlpsThe Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
to the Inn river Valley, goes through the Pupplinger Au. - Skiing, especially for children, at the slopes in Peretshofen and Beuerberg. The larger ski areas can be reached within 1 to 2 hours.
- There are around 125 miles of cross-country ski runs in the surrounding area.