Bad Kötzting

Bad Kötzting

Coat of arms
Bad Kötzting

Coordinates: 49°10′37″N 12°51′18″E / 49.17694°N 12.85500°E / 49.17694; 12.85500Coordinates: 49°10′37″N 12°51′18″E / 49.17694°N 12.85500°E / 49.17694; 12.85500
Country Germany
State Bavaria
Admin. region Oberpfalz
District Cham
Government
  Mayor Markus Hofmann (Freie Wähler)
Area
  Total 62.17 km2 (24.00 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)[1]
  Total 7,143
  Density 110/km2 (300/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 93444
Dialling codes 0 99 41
Vehicle registration CHA, KÖZ, ROD, WÜM
Website www.bad-koetzting.de

Bad Kötzting (before 2005: Kötzting) is a town in the district of Cham, in Bavaria, Germany, near the Czech border. It is situated in the Bavarian Forest, 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Cham.

Overview

Bad Kötzting has the charming character of a small town and offers quite a variety of attractions for tourists. The locals pride themselves with having one of the largest mounted religious processions in the world, the "Kötztinger Pfingstritt". Legend has it that in the year 1412, a man who got injured during forestry was asking for the last rites before dying in a village approximately 7 kilometres (4 miles) away from Kötzting. The local priest was unable to comply with the wishes of the man because he needed protection from bears, wolves, and other dangers luring along the way. After asking the young men of the village to protect him, they accompanied the priest to the dying man. After a safe journey, the participants vowed to repeat the ride every year. That is how it remained ever since. Every Whit Monday, the ride of over 900 horses and riders is repeated. The horses wear ornaments and the riders wear traditional Bavarian clothes. The ride starts in Kötzting and goes to the village "Steinbühl", where according to the legend, the man asking for anointment, was dying. Only men from the region are allowed to participate in the procession, the participating horses, however, come from all over Bavaria.[2] The annual fair is also in town when the procession takes place. A local "Bierzelt" and numerous rides invite the public.

Historical events

1085 AD.First public recording of "Chostingen".
1151Pope Eugenius III. confirms privileges and rights of possession to Abbey Rott.
1204A common court ("Schranne") is established in Kötzting.
1260 ~Grant of Market status.
1344Emperor Louis IV confirmed the market status.
1425 ~Continuous attacks by the Hussites.
1583"Black Death" (plague) strikes the village and surrounding areas.
1614Ownership of land by Abbey Rott is refuted.
1633Swedish forces burn down Kötzting (Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648)
1648Last attack by Swedish forces and repeated outbreak of the plague.
1770Widespread starvation throughout the Bavarian Forrest.
1805Kötzting becomes independent parish.
1837As part of a rezoning measure, Kötzting becomes part of the district Lower Bavaria.
1867Much of the village burns down in a fire covering large parts of the town.
1953Kötzting is granted the status of a town.
1965A military garrison is established in Kötzting.
1972The county of Kötzting is dissolved and the county becomes part of the county of Cham. Hence, Kötzting becomes part of the district of Upper Palatinate.
1986Recognition as Climatic Spa.
1990Laureate in competition "Gastliches Bayern" (guest friendly Bavaria).
1992Opening of the Spa Gardens "Auwiesen".
1994Title of "recreational locality" for all parts of the town.
1995Recognition as "Garden Spa" in the tradition of Father Sebastian Kneipp.
2000Grand Opening of the Casino in Kötzting.
2002Expansion of the Spa Gardens "Auwiesen".
2004Closure of the Garrison "Hohenbogen".
2005Opening of the Open-Air and Adventure Bath ("Bathing world") AQACUR, title of Kneipp-Therapeutic Spa, and change of name to Bad Kötzting.

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Bad Kötzting is a founding member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals.[3][4] Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

Spain Altea, Spain - 1991
Germany Bad Kötzting, Germany - 1991
Italy Bellagio, Italy - 1991
Republic of Ireland Bundoran, Ireland - 1991
France Granville, France - 1991
Denmark Holstebro, Denmark - 1991
Belgium Houffalize, Belgium - 1991
Netherlands Meerssen, the Netherlands - 1991
Luxembourg Niederanven, Luxembourg - 1991
Greece Preveza, Greece - 1991
Portugal Sesimbra, Portugal - 1991
United Kingdom Sherborne, United Kingdom - 1991
Finland Karkkila, Finland - 1997
Sweden Oxelösund, Sweden - 1998
Austria Judenburg, Austria - 1999
Poland Chojna, Poland - 2004
Hungary Kőszeg, Hungary - 2004
Latvia Sigulda, Latvia - 2004
Czech Republic Sušice, Czech Republic - 2004
Estonia Türi, Estonia - 2004
Slovakia Zvolen, Slovakia - 2007
Lithuania Prienai, Lithuania - 2008
Malta Marsaskala, Malta - 2009
Romania Siret, Romania - 2010

References

Notes
  1. "Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes". Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik und Datenverarbeitung (in German). 31 December 2013.
  2. "deutschland-tourismus.de".
  3. "Douzelage.org: Home". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  4. "Douzelage.org: Member Towns". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
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