Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, sometimes just short Garmisch, is a market town in Bavaria (population in 2023: 29,686), in the extreme south-west of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the junction of the deep Loisach and Partnach valleys. Garmisch is considered the more fashionable section, while Partenkirchen's cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel. The two towns united in 1935.
History
It is 2300 feet above sea level in the Bavarian Alps, at the foot of the Eckenburg, as well as the Zugspitze (9,721 feet or 2,963 metres high), the highest mountain in the FRG accessed by cogwheel train and cable car. Originally two ancient villages of Garmisch and Partenkirchen which became united, the union was finally chartered in 1935. The area retains much of its rural character. It is a health and winter sports resort, with rack and cable railways, and summer mountain-climbing facilities.[1]
Having ski facilities, it was the scene of the 1936 Winter Olympics, which left the town with greatly improved winter sports facilities and an Olympic skating rink. The Games here were covered in book format.[2]
The famous composer Richard Strauss had his home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and died there on 8 September 1949, following surgery in Switzerland the previous May. His house is kept exactly as he left it and is open to the public.[3]
Notable people born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (excerpt)
- Georg Bruchmüller (1863–1948), artillery officer
- Hanns Kilian (1905–1981), bobsledder
- Joseph Wackerle (1880–1959), sculptor
References
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, vol.5, Chicago, 1990, p.127.
- ↑ Die Olympischen Spiele 1936, Band 1 (volume 1), Germany, 1936.
- ↑ http://www.chambermusicians.org.uk/villa_strauss.htm
