HISTORY & NATURE
660 YEARS: GRAFENWOEHR STEEPED IN HISTORY
The town hall from 1462 is located in the center of the historic old town.
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - On June 5th, the city of Grafenwoehr turned 660 years old. This would be an occasion to celebrate. But in "Corona" times you have to be careful. "There is no festival this year," said Mayor Edgar Knobloch. Celebrating the 666th anniversary would be conceivable for him. History: On June 5, 1361, Emperor Karl IV (1355-1378), issued a document to his feudal men Ulrich II and Johann I von Leuchtenberg, with which he gave the landgraves permission to make Grafenwoehr a town. However, the origins of Grafenwoehr are a mystery. Before 1361 there are no records in which Grafenwoehr is mentioned. But there is speculation: Hermann Schenkl, later a chronicler of the city, suspected that the place was originally only called "Woerth" and that it was built around the year 1000.
Photo Credit: Renate Gradl
Grafenwoehr Castle is also shrouded in legend. A small hill rises to the west of the old town of Grafenwoehr which is called "Kalvarienberg" on old maps. The "Annaberg" is better known. A castle is said to have stood on the site of the Maria-Hilf church there. The castle was first mentioned in a letter 600 years ago. The plague column is also celebrating its 525th anniversary. In 1496 its first location was at the entrance to Annaberg. In 1982 the plague column was moved and has stood in the middle of the market square ever since. It is called the "plague column" because it is believed that it was built by survivors of a plague out of gratitude. With the establishment of the military training area, the city has continuously been under the influence of the military since 15 | Bavarian Times
1908. The history of the city of Grafenwoehr and its development due to the military training area can be seen in more detail in the Grafenwoehr Culture and Military Museum. From the founding of the city to World War I, inflation and World War II, the permanent exhibition also paints a comprehensive picture of coexistence with members of the US Army, from the Cold War to the present day. The military department is dedicated to the establishment and construction of the military training area, its development and expansion up to World War II, as well as to various military uniforms and their significance. Since 2021 the museum also features a permanent exhibition dedicated to Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Rare collector's items, such as posters, records, autographs from companions, photos and much more, depict the worldwide career of the most famous GI ever on duty in Grafenwoehr. The museum is also dealing with the "Dream of Martin Luther King" in a special exhibition. The exhibition shows the struggles and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement in a brief but comprehensive overview. On the one hand, King's fight for equality is shown, but at the same time an insight into the life of African-Americans during the civil rights movement is given. With numerous photographs, the exhibition visualizes the development from segregation to the integration of African-Americans into US society. The museum is open on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. | by Renate Gradl
