Bad Kötzting


Bad Kötzting is a town in the district of Cham, in Bavaria, Germany, near the Czech border. It is situated in the Bavarian Forest, 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 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.
The annual fair is also in town when the procession takes place. A local "Bierzelt" and numerous rides invite the public.

Gallery

Impressions from the Kötztinger Pfingstritt, 2001

Administrative division

Bad Kötzting is divided into 51 districts:
There are nine Gemarkungen within the municipality area: Arndorf, Bad Kötzting, Gehstorf, Haus, Liebenstein, Sackenried, Traidersdorf, Weißenregen und Wettzell.

Historical events

1085 AD.First public recording of "Chostingen".
1151Pope Eugenius III. confirms privileges and rights of possession to Abbey Rott.
1204A common court 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" strikes the village and surrounding areas.
1614Ownership of land by Abbey Rott is refuted.
1633Swedish forces burn down Kötzting
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".
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 AQACUR, title of Kneipp-Therapeutic Spa, and change of name to Bad Kötzting.

Mayor

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. Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns.

Sons and daughters of the town