Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a twin town in southern Germany with a population of 26,351. Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies within the state of Bavaria, and is the primary city of the administrative district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch-Partenkirchen's most notable natural landmark is the Zugspitze, although many others, such as the Partnach Gorge and the Alpspitze exist as well.

Geography

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located in the Bavarian Alps, just below the Zugspitze which at 2962 meters is Germany's highest point. The city lies within the Loisach river valley between three mountain ranges, the Wetterstein Alps to the south, the Estergebirge, also known as the Bavarian Pre-Alps in the west, and the Ammergau Alps to the north. Following the Loisach river leads to the Ehrwald valley in Austria.

History

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, commonly known as Garmisch, often to the chagrin of residents of the Partenkirchen half of the city, is well known as a sport and resort town, and a member of the Best of the Alps organization. Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate towns, separated by the Partnach River, until 1935, when they were joined (against the will of the people) by Adolf Hitler to create a single economy large enough to host the 4th Winter Olympics in 1936. Garmisch-Partenkirchen was also slated to host the 5th Winter Olympics in 1940, but these games were cancelled due to World War II. To this day the residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen carry on a friendly rivalry, maintaining separate ski clubs, yodel clubs, fire brigades, and festival weeks. The position of mayor is held jointly by a resident of Garmisch and a resident of Partenkirchen.

Culture

The primary industrys of the region are dairy farming and recreation. Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosts one of the four jumps in the Four Hills Tournament every year on New Years Day at the Olympic Ski Stadium, and FIS ski races on the Kandahar ski trail. Other Olympic sites remain, including the Ice Stadium, the natural bobsled track, and Reissersee, upon which the speed-skating and ice hockey events were held. Although the bobsled track is overgrown, an effort is underway to reclaim the track from years of growth. Garmisch-Partenkirchen will host the 2011 FIS Ski Championships.

Sightseeing

Archetecture

Saint Sebastians Chapel

Sebastians-Kapelle is a small chapel located in the center of Partenkirchen on the main street of town, Ludwigstrasse. The chapel was built in 1637 at a plague victims cemetary on what was then the edge of town. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Sebastian, and Saint Roch, both well known patron saints of plague sufferers. The cemetary has since been converted to the Partenkirchen World War I memorial.

Demographics

The September, 2007, population of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is currently 26,351 residents. The United States Army also maintains a garrison, recreation center, and school in town, increasing the population on any given day by 5-10%. Because of the large American presence, most of the population of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is fluent in English, although when asked if they speak English, most residents will reply "A little bit".