Grafenau, Bavaria

Grafenau
Grafenau Grafenau
Coat of arms of Grafenau Coat of arms
Grafenau
Location of Grafenau within Freyung-Grafenau district 250px
Coordinates:
Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Admin. region	Niederbayern
District	Freyung-Grafenau
Government
• Mayor	Max Niedermeier (CSU)
Area
• Total	63.79 km2 (24.63 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)
• Total	8,255
• Density	130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	94475–94481
Dialling codes	08552
Vehicle registration	FRG, GRA, WOS
Website	www.grafenau.de

Grafenau is a town in the Freyung-Grafenau district, in Bavaria, Germany. 32 km north of Passau, the town is situated in the Bavarian Forest and is the base of the Bavarian Forest National Park Authority. Grafenau is a holiday destination with a variety of kinds of accommodation from self-catering apartments to a "holiday village".

Location and facilities

The town lies in the Bavarian Forest at a height between 600 and 700 meters over sea level, right beside the Bavarian Forest National Park. The Kleine Ohe river flows along the east and south of the town.

In April 1945, Major General Stafford LeRoy Irwin opened his XII Corps Headquarters there.

Since 1976 there has been an artificial lake (surrounded by a park) which is used for sport and recreation.

There are museums about the town and surrounding area, including a museum with a collection of traditional furniture, and also a museum about snuff.

The town has curling and ice skating rinks (which are seasonal), and ski drag lifts in an area which in summer months is used for bobsleds. There is also a golf course.

There is a Catholic church, a railway terminus, and a bus station, in addition to a range of hotels, shops, and garage facilities for motorists.