Bad Kötzting

Bad Kötzting
Coat of arms
Bad Kötzting
Location of Bad Kötzting within Cham district
Coordinates:
Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Admin. region	Oberpfalz
District	Cham
Government
• Mayor	Markus Hofmann (Freie Wähler)
Area
• Total	62.17 km2 (24.00 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)
• Total	7,143
• Density	110/km2 (300/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	93444
Dialling codes	0 99 41
Vehicle registration	CHA, KÖZ, ROD, WÜM
Website	www.bad-koetzting.de

Bad Kötzting (before 2005: Kötzting) is a town in the district of Cham, in Bavaria, Germany, near the Czech border. It is situated in the Bavarian Forest, 15 km (9.3 mi) 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 7 kilometres (4 miles) 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.

Historical events

1085 AD.	First public recording of "Chostingen".
1151	Pope Eugenius III. confirms privileges and rights of possession to Abbey Rott.
1204	A common court ("Schranne") is established in Kötzting.
1260 ~	Grant of Market status.
1344	Emperor Louis IV confirmed the market status.
1425 ~	Continuous attacks by the Hussites.
1583	"Black Death" (plague) strikes the village and surrounding areas.
1614	Ownership of land by Abbey Rott is refuted.
1633	Swedish forces burn down Kötzting (Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648)
1648	Last attack by Swedish forces and repeated outbreak of the plague.
1770	Widespread starvation throughout the Bavarian Forrest.
1805	Kötzting becomes independent parish.
1837	As part of a rezoning measure, Kötzting becomes part of the district Lower Bavaria.
1867	Much of the village burns down in a fire covering large parts of the town.
1953	Kötzting is granted the status of a town.
1965	A military garrison is established in Kötzting.
1972	The 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.
1986	Recognition as Climatic Spa.
1990	Laureate in competition "Gastliches Bayern" (guest friendly Bavaria).
1992	Opening of the Spa Gardens "Auwiesen".
1994	Title of "recreational locality" for all parts of the town.
1995	Recognition as "Garden Spa" in the tradition of Father Sebastian Kneipp.
2000	Grand Opening of the Casino in Kötzting.
2002	Expansion of the Spa Gardens "Auwiesen".
2004	Closure of the Garrison "Hohenbogen".
2005	Opening of the Open-Air and Adventure Bath ("Bathing world") AQACUR, title of Kneipp-Therapeutic Spa, and change of name to Bad Kötzting.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

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 (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

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