Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a twin town in southern Germany with a population of 26,351. Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies within the state of Bavaria, and is the primary city of the administrative district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch-Partenkirchen's most notable natural landmark is the Zugspitze, although many others, such as the Partnach Gorge and the Alpspitze exist as well.

Geography

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located in the Bavarian Alps, just below the Zugspitze which at 2962 meters is Germany's highest point. The city lies within the Loisach river valley between three mountain ranges, the Wetterstein Alps to the south, the Estergebirge, also known as the Bavarian Pre-Alps in the west, and the Ammergau Alps to the north. Following the Loisach river leads to the Ehrwald valley in Austria.

History

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, commonly known as Garmisch, often to the chagrin of residents of the Partenkirchen half of the city, is well known as a sport and resort town, and a member of the Best of the Alps organization. Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate towns, separated by the Partnach River, until 1935, when they were joined (against the will of the people) by Adolf Hitler to create a single economy large enough to host the 4th Winter Olympics in 1936. Garmisch-Partenkirchen was also slated to host the 5th Winter Olympics in 1940, but these games were cancelled due to World War II. To this day the residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen carry on a friendly rivalry, maintaining separate ski clubs, yodel clubs, fire brigades, and festival weeks. The position of mayor is held jointly by a resident of Garmisch and a resident of Partenkirchen.

Culture

The primary industrys of the region are dairy farming and recreation. Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosts one of the four jumps in the Four Hills Tournament every year on New Years Day at the Olympic Ski Stadium, and FIS ski races on the Kandahar ski trail. Other Olympic sites remain, including the Ice Stadium, the natural bobsled track, and Reissersee, upon which the speed-skating and ice hockey events were held. Although the bobsled track is overgrown, an effort is underway to reclaim the track from years of growth. Garmisch-Partenkirchen will host the 2011 FIS Ski Championships.

Tourism and Sightseeing

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is used by many tourists as a base for their travels in and around the Bavarian Alps. Locations within an hours travel include Munich, Innsbruck, the ski areas, both at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and at Lermoos, Ehrwald, Bieberwier, Seefeld, and Bichlbach, the royal castles of Ludwig II at Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, The Wieskirche, The Kloister at Ettal, and the village of Oberammergau and it's famous Passion Play. To meet the needs of visitors to the area, over 1,000 lodging areas exist within the city limits.

Archetecture

Populated since the roman times, there are examples of many different styles of art, city layout, and archetectural design in both halves of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Old Parish Church

The Altekirche was the original parish church in Garmisch. The first documentation of the church is of its reconstruction in 1280. It assumed its present gothic style in 1522. In present times the church is used only for important gatherings and holidays, although before the construction of St. Martin's Church the people from the surrounding communitys were required by the Bishop of Freising to make the pilgramage to Garmisch a minimum of 10 times a year. The church is decorated in the gothic style, and is noted for many 15th century works of art. The church cemetary holds the remains of the wife of Caspar Poysl, the "judge" at the witch trials that were held at the Werdenfelser Castle on the mountain above town.

Parish Church of Ascended Mary

The first documentation of the Parish Church Maria Himmelfahrt dates to 1347, and describes a gothic church at this location on Ludwigstrasse in Partenkirchen. The church, and 76 nearby houses, burned to the ground in 1865, after having been rebuilt in the baroque style. Reopened in 1871, this time as a neo-gothic building, the church still houses relics dating from the early 15th century which were saved from the fire. The interior of the parish church is currently under renovation.

Saint Anton's Church

Antonskirche is a pilgramage church, and Fransiscian cloister located on the side of The Wank, overlooking Partenkirchen. Originally constructed in 1708 after the survival of Partenkirchen in the War of Spanish Succession, the church was enlarged in 1734, when the cloister was constructed. Access to the church is only through hiking The Wank, a short climb of 40 meters.

Saint Martin's Church

Martinskirche, the parish church of Garmisch, was built to replace the Saint Nikolaus Chapel, which had gotten too small for the community. The community of Garmisch volunteered many workers and materials for the construction of the church, including stone from the abandoned Werdenfelser Castle, above town on the Kramerspitze. The church was consecrated 23 September 1734, by the Bishop of Freising, who was also the secular ruler of the area. Located in downtown Garmisch, with it's pink spire easily visible from anywhere in town, Martinskirche is often used as a landmark when giving directions.

Saint Sebastians Chapel

Sebastians-Kapelle is a small chapel located in the center of Partenkirchen on the main street of town, Ludwigstrasse. The chapel was built in 1637 at a plague victims cemetary on what was then the edge of town. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Sebastian, and Saint Roch, both well known patron saints of plague sufferers. The cemetary has since been converted to the Partenkirchen World War I memorial.

Demographics

The September, 2007, population of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is currently 26,351 residents. The United States Army also maintains a garrison, recreation center, and school in town, increasing the population on any given day by 5-10%. Because of the large American presence, most of the population of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is fluent in English, although when asked if they speak English, most residents will reply "A little bit".

Famous Residents

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been the home of composer Richard Strauss, and author Michael Ende. Strauss' villa is located on the north edge of town and at the foot of Kramerspitze, and is the official residence of the co-mayors of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Michael Ende, the author of The Neverending Story was also from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and is honored by Michael Ende Platz, a plaza in the pedestrian zone in downtown Garmisch which allows access to the casino.