Traunstein
Traunstein
Location of the town of Traunstein within Traunstein district
Coordinates	47°52′N 12°38′E / 47.86667°N 12.63333°E / 47.86667; 12.63333Coordinates: 47°52′N 12°38′E / 47.86667°N 12.63333°E / 47.86667; 12.63333
Administration
Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Admin. region	Upper Bavaria
District	Traunstein
Mayor	Manfred Kösterke ("UW")
Basic statistics
Area	48.53 km2 (18.74 sq mi)
Elevation	591 m  (1939 ft)
Population	18,845 (31 December 2010)[1]
- Density	388 /km2 (1,006 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate	TS
Postal code	83278
Area code	0861
Website	www.traunstein.de

Traunstein is a town in the south-eastern part of Bavaria, Germany, and is the administrative center of a district by the same name. It is situated at the heart of a region called Chiemgau, approximately 11 km east of Lake Chiemsee between Munich and Salzburg, 15 km north of the Alps, and 30 km west of Salzburg. The town's most famous inhabitant is the current Pope, Benedict XVI, who attended the priest's seminary here before moving to Munich for his university studies.

History of Traunstein[link]

Although in 790, the churchly account already lists possessions "ad Trun" and some medieval defence constructions are known in the surroundings since the 10th century, Trauwenstein itself was firstly mentioned in a scripture of the monastery Baumburg in the year 1245. The name stands for "castle on the Traun", and probably there is also the domicile of the Lord of "de Truna", surrounded by a little settlement.

The Wittelsbacher were the first to expand and fortify this settlement. In that way they controlled the passage over the Traun of the important salt street from Reichenhall to Munich at the border of the "Erzstift Salzburg". In the year 1120 the lords of "Truna" settled down in the today’s urban area because of the favourable strategic position. They built the castle at the border of the city plateau, which is surrounded by the river as well as by the nearly passing route for commerce.

Traunstein has belonged to Bavaria since 1275. Before, it had belonged to Salzburg. At the beginning of the 14th century, Traunstein got the status of a town. By 1493, the town roads were already cobbled. The Oswald church was rebuilt in 1501. In 1526 the Lindlbrunnen was constructed as a completion of the town's water supply.

The salt production as a result of the construction of the brine pipeline from Bad Reichenhall from 1616 to 1619 by the master builder of the court, Hans Reiffenstuel, was for a long time the most important industrial branch and brought an enormous wealth to the town. Traunstein was spared the cruelties of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). On the 25th and 26 July 1704, Austrian troops occupied the town in the course of the Spanish war of succession. A disastrous fire modified the medieval townscape. Despite the occupation by Austrian troops, Traunstein could be reconstructed. The saline, finished in 1786/87, assured the survival of the salt production in Traunstein.

In its history, Traunstein was struck at least twice by town fires: In 1704, when Hungarian "Panduren" set the town on fire in the course of the Spanish War of Succession, and in 1851. However, the "first town fire", which is still familiar to all "real" citizens of Traunstein and is still taught at school today, hasn't been confirmed yet. Only archaeological excavations can show whether Traunstein had really suffered a fire disaster before 1400. Anyway, written documents provide no information about it. They merely report about a fire, which broke out later, in 1851. However, only 10 houses fell victim to the fire and in no case the whole town. Thereupon, in 1587, a fire arrangement was enacted for the first time in the town history. During the night of April 25 to April 26, 1851, a disastrous fire destroyed again almost the whole town. The reason for it has never been discovered. The great fires took over to almost 100 houses including the Town Hall, the County Court, the Main Salt Office, the Pension Office, the Church and several gates and towers except the Upper Tower. Just like in 1704, Traunstein could again be rebuilt in a few years.

It was presumed the fire was an act of revenge by the angry Haslachers. There were feelings of rage because the parochial seat was taken away from Haslach and was given to Traunstein. Later rumours came up that the carelessness of a resident had caused the fire. However, there was no evidence to support this idea and therefore the person could not be sentenced. After the town fire 700 citizens were homeless but help immediately reached Traunstein. King Maximilian already visited Traunstein on the 27th of April, contributed consolations and gave several thousands of guilders from his cabinet cash. In return for the quick payment of the fire assurance the inhabitants could soon begin to rebuild their town from ground up. Besides, the medieval plan of the town square was preserved to a great extent, merely the facades received a new face in the style of the current time.

The last saline was shut down in 1912. In 1914, the former independent community "Au" became part of Traunstein. During the First World War, the saline was used as a camp for over 1000 civil prisoners and prisoners of war. After the First World War, the World Economic Crisis in 1923 resulted in the hyperinflation. Like in other towns, token money in billions was widespread.

With the seizure of power of the National Socialists the persecution of political dissidents and Jewish fellow citizens in Germany started. During the Second World War Traunstein was the aim of American bombing four times: on November 11, on January 21, on April 18 and finally on April 25, 1945. In April 1945 the heavy air raids destroyed the railway station area at which over 100 people died. Little time later, on March 2, 1945, a train with Jewish concentration camp detainees crossed Traunstein. The next day 61 of them were shot in Surberg (a memorial reminds of them). The town surrendered without struggle on May 3 in 1945.

During World War II, a subcamp of Dachau concentration camp was located here.^[2] Whereas Traunstein was a district free city from 1948–1972, it became capital of the district denominated by the same name in 1972.

Town fires[link]

In the history of the town, which goes over 750 years back into the past, Traunstein has been struck at least twice by town fires: In 1704, when Hungarian "Panduren" set the town on fire in the course of the Spanish War of Succession, and in 1851. However, the "first town fire", which is still familiar to all "real" citizens of Traunstein and is still taught as school knowledge today, hasn't been confirmed yet. Only archaeological excavations can show whether Traunstein had really suffered a fire disaster before 1400. Anyway, written documents provide no information about it. They merely report about a fire, which broke out later, in 1851. However, only 10 houses fell victim to the fire and in no case the whole town. Thereupon, in 1587 a fire arrangement was enacted for the first time in the town history. During the night from April 25 to April 26, 1851, a desasterous fire destroyed again almost the whole town. The reason for it has never been discovered. The great fires took over to almost 100 houses including the Town Hall, the County Court, the Main Salt Office, the Pension Office, the Church and several gates and towers except the Upper Tower. Just like in 1704, Traunstein could again be rebuilt in a few years.

It was presumed the fire was an act of revenge by the angry Haslacher. There were feelings of rage because the parochial seat was taken away from Haslach and was given to Traunstein. Later rumours came up that the carelessness of a resident had caused the fire. However, there was no evidence to support this idea and therefore the person could not be blamed for the misfortune. After the town fire 700 citizens were homeless but help immediately reached Traunstein. King Maximilian already visited Traunstein on the 27th of April, contributed consolations and gave several thousands of guilders from his cabinet cash. In return for the quick payment of the fire assurance the inhabtitants could soon beginn to build up their town up from the foundations walls. Besides, the medieval plan of the town place was preserved to a great extent, merely the facades received a new face in the style of the current time.

Twinned city[link]

• Gap, France
• Pinerolo, Italy
• Wesseling, NRW, Germany
• Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England^[3]
• Kinross, Scotland

External links[link]

• Municipality of Traunstein
• Traunstein Sword Dance
• Georgi-Ritt Traunstein

References[link]

v t e Towns and municipalities in Traunstein Altenmarkt an der Alz Bergen Chieming Engelsberg Fridolfing Grabenstätt Grassau Inzell Kienberg Kirchanschöring Marquartstein Nußdorf Obing Palling Petting Pittenhart Reit im Winkl Ruhpolding Schleching Schnaitsee Seeon-Seebruck Siegsdorf Staudach-Egerndach Surberg Tacherting Taching am See Tittmoning Traunreut Traunstein Trostberg Übersee Unterwössen Vachendorf Waging am See Wonneberg