Berching

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coat of arms Germany map
Coat of arms of the city of Berching
Berching
Map of Germany, position of the city of Berching highlighted

Coordinates: 49 ° 6 '  N , 11 ° 26'  E

Basic data
State : Bavaria
Administrative region : Upper Palatinate
County : Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate
Height : 385 m above sea level NHN
Area : 131.18 km 2
Residents: 8745 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density : 67 inhabitants per km 2
Postal code : 92334
Area code : 08462
License plate : NM, PAR
Community key : 09 3 73 112
LOCODE : DE BCG
City structure: 46 districts

City administration address : 		Pettenkoferplatz 12
92334 Berching
Website : www.berching.de
First Mayor : Ludwig Eisenreich ( CSU )
Location of the city of Berching in the Neumarkt district in the Upper Palatinate
Pilsach Velburg Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz Seubersdorf in der Oberpfalz Sengenthal Pyrbaum Postbauer-Heng Parsberg Mühlhausen (Oberpfalz) Lupburg Lauterhofen Hohenfels (Oberpfalz) Freystadt Dietfurt an der Altmühl Deining Breitenbrunn (Oberpfalz) Berngau Berg bei Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz Berching Nürnberg Nürnberg Landkreis Nürnberger Land Landkreis Roth Landkreis Schwandorf Landkreis Regensburg Landkreis Amberg-Sulzbach Landkreis Kelheim Landkreis Eichstättmap
About this picture
City wall of Berching

Berching ( Bavarian Bacham ) is a Bavarian town in the Neumarkt district in the Upper Palatinate .

geography

Geographical location

The city is mainly characterized by its location in the Franconian Alb , combined with the predominantly agricultural use of this area. Since the opening of the Main-Danube Canal in 1992, the place has grown in tourist importance.

geology

The White Jura (Malm) is the defining geological unit in the spacious municipality of Berching. Formations of marl, limestone and dolomite stone shape the hill country. In addition, Dogger ( Brown Jura ) comes to the surface with iron sandstone formation on the slopes along the Sulz . The floodplains along the river have Quaternary valley fillings.

Community structure

Berching has 46 districts:

Neighboring communities

In the west, the municipality of Berching is flanked by the border with Upper Bavaria and the municipality of Beilngries as well as with Middle Franconia and Greding .

Other neighboring communities are Mühlhausen , Freystadt , Deining , Seubersdorf , Breitenbrunn and Dietfurt .

and display information about the image
Berching seen from Hagenberg

history

Oldest testimonies

The oldest evidence of human settlement in the region goes back to the Neolithic Age (5000 BC). Settlement remains from the Urnfield period, finds from the Hallstatt and Latène periods , the late Celtic settlement in Berching / Pollanten and a Germanic burial ground from the 2nd century AD, also uncovered in Pollanten, also demonstrate the continuity of settlement in this area.

First mention

Berching was first mentioned as "Pirihinga" in a document from Emperor Karl III. in the year 883. The name indicates a Bavarian foundation in the period from the 6th to the 8th century. Before 912 the settlement came into the possession of the Eichstätt bishops. Under their rule, Berching soon developed into an important administrative center. In 1296 Berching was first referred to as "oppidum" (fortified place) and only a few years later (1314) called "civitas" (city). Under Bishop Wilhelm von Reichenau (1464–1496) the fortifications were renewed and the city wall with its 13 towers and 4 gates expanded in its completely preserved form.

Market rights had already been granted to the place before 1245 . Charitable foundations, the two large churches and numerous imposing town houses bear witness to the city's wealth. The Pettenkofer and Rumpf families, in particular, who achieved prosperity in the wine trade, were generous patrons of their hometown in the 17th and 18th centuries .

During the witch hunt in the Eichstätt abbey , at least two women from Berching were accused of being alleged witches and sentenced to death in 1618.

Former station in Berching

Berching becomes Bavarian

Berching had been under the rule of the Eichstätt bishops for almost 900 years when, in 1802/03, after the Napoleonic wars, the Eichstätt monastery was secularized and the secular rule of the bishops ended. After a brief membership in the Electorate of Salzburg , Berching became Bavarian in 1806 . With the takeover of administration by the Bavarian authorities, Berching lost its previous position as an important administrative center. Only after years of persistent efforts were the councilors able to bring a regular cattle market to Berching in 1822 and a weekly grain bin in 1842. The construction of the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal from 1835 to 1846 and the Neumarkt - Berching - Beilngries (1888) local railway line, which was closed in 1987, brought economic impetus, but the complete lack of authorities and facilities with a central function led to continued stagnation in Berchings Development. In 1902/03 the foundation hospital was built in the Rachental.

There was a loading point (annex) on the Ludwig Canal for cargo handling . In 1950 the Ludwig Canal was opened again, but the land and the three locks 23-25 in the municipality have been preserved as architectural monuments .

Incorporations

In the 1970s, 19 municipalities were incorporated into Berching as part of the municipal reform. On January 1, 1972 these were Oening, Raitenbuch, Wallnsdorf and Wattenberg. On July 1, 1972, Ernersdorf, Fribertshofen, Pollanten, Rudertshofen, Sollngriesbach, Staufersbuch, Stierbaum, Thann, Weidenwang and Winterzhofen were added. On January 1, 1976, parts of the dissolved community of Hermannsberg were reclassified to Berching. The series of incorporations was completed on May 1, 1978 with the incorporation of the previously independent municipalities of Erasbach, Holnstein (with Altmannsberg, which was incorporated on January 1, 1971) and Plankstetten.

Population development

Between 1988 and 2018 the city grew from 7,518 to 8,702 inhabitants or by 15.8%.

Newer development

Landscape near Berching

Developments since then include, in particular, the renovation of the city center, the construction of the St. Franziskus retirement home, the conversion of the former Franciscan monastery into a parish and youth center (Pettenkofer House), the renovation of the historic town hall, the construction of the Europahalle, the designation of new ones To name building areas in almost all districts and the development of a commercial area in the district of Erasbach. Furthermore, the new year-round adventure pool BERLE cameHELIOS clinic for geriatric rehabilitation and the Berching secondary school.

In March 2013 Berching was awarded the title Citta Slow and the city was accepted into the International Association of Livable Cities.

politics

City council

The city council consists of the first mayor and 20 members. Since the local elections on March 15, 2020 , the members have been made up of the following groups:

mayor

The professional first mayor is Ludwig Eisenreich ( CSU ). He has been in office since May 1, 2008 and was elected for a further six years in the first ballot on March 15, 2020 with 66.6% of the votes. His deputies are 2nd Mayor Christian Meissner (CSU) and 3rd Mayor Erich Steindl (CSU).

former mayor

coat of arms

Blazon: Divided by blue and silver; below a growing, red-clad bishop with miter, on the left a golden crosier turned towards it

The coat of arms has been known since the 14th century and was renewed in the 19th century.

Town twinning

  • AustriaAustria Obernberg am Inn in Austria has been a twin town since 1973.
  • FranceFranceSince May 13, 1994 Savigny (Rhône) in France is the twin town of Berching. The origin of the partnership is a friendship between the two parishes of Berching and Savigny that has existed since 1972. Since then, regular exchanges and encounters between young people and adults from both communities have taken place. The 25th anniversary of the official town twinning will be celebrated in August 2019.

Culture and sights

City parish church of the Assumption
Romanesque monastery church Plankstetten ⊙

Buildings

  • The town of Berching calls itself the “Gem of the Middle Ages” and is known for its very well-preserved old town wall with four town gates and thirteen towers. The Chinesenturm, the Powder Tower and the Neumarkt Gate Tower in the oldest part, the so-called suburb, are worth seeing.
  • The Plankstetten monastery in the town of the same name. The local abbey church of the Assumption is built in the Romanesque style.
  • Birthplace of Christoph Willibald Gluck in the Erasbach district. However, it is controversial whether Gluck was born in Weidenwang or Erasbach. There is a birthplace in both places.
  • historical town hall
  • Zehentstadel
  • City parish church of the Assumption within the medieval city wall
  • "Old" parish church St. Lorenz in the suburb of Berching
  • Pilgrimage church Maria Hilf on the southern outskirts of Berching
  • The city is located on the historic Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, which connected the Main with the Danube. Some buildings are still intact in the area and are part of the cycle path network. In the summer months there is the possibility of navigating the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal with the towing ship Alma Viktoria like 150 years ago.
  • The Berching im Daumhaus museum from the beginning of the 19th century has existed since 1979 and shows a regional collection of handicrafts, ceramics, handicraft and agricultural equipment. Since December 2006 there has been a modern multimedia exhibition on the life and work of the composer and opera reformer Christoph Willibald Gluck (address: An der Johannesbrücke).
  • Berching wind farm
  • Plankstetten Monastery
  • In the district of Staufersbuch : Parish Church of St. Martin, ceiling painting Glory of St. Martin (around 1769) by Johann Michael Franz
Stone gutter

Protected areas

Near Pollanten is the approximately 24 hectare Albtrauf nature reserve near Pollanten .

Natural monuments

These rare geotopes are formed when lime separates from the water under certain conditions and builds up at the edge of a trickle

Regular events

  • February: The well-known Rossmarkt takes place on the Wednesday after Candlemas .
  • Lent: During the Easter penance period, an oil mountain prayer is put on display in Berching, a play with liturgical and ecclesiastical elements.
  • July: The events Berchinale des Lichts and Kanal im Feuerzauber have been part of the Berching Summer for several years. Over 10,000 visitors are expected every year at this light art weekend, with fireworks over the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal as the highlight.
  • October: Europaball
  • In 2007, a Georgi ride with a horse blessing took place in Pollanten for the first time .

Culinary

  • Berching has almost a dozen restaurants and pubs in the city center, two of which are connected to local breweries, of which there used to be 14 in Berching.
  • Every year special events such as fish weeks and Mediterranean spring weeks take place in Berching.

Economy and Infrastructure

traffic

Berching is located directly on the B 299 . A bus line connects Berching with the district town of Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate, 20 km away. Dietfurt an der Altmühl can also be reached with it. In the immediate vicinity there is the Berching airfield, which has been officially approved since 2001. The station Berching was on the railway line Neumarkt-Dietfurt , on September 25, 1987, the last passenger train wrong. The railway line is closed . In July 2020, the Neumarkt-Beilngries-Kinding railway lines (connection to the high-speed railway line) were included in the VDV's position paper as railway lines to be reactivated. With this, Berching could also get a rail connection again. The A 9 can be reached via the Greding or Hilpoltstein exits, approx. 13 or 18 kilometers away . The closest exit on the A3 is that of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz.

Established businesses

The largest company in Berching is the environmental technology company Huber SE .

media

Both the Neumarkter Nachrichten and the Neumarkter Tagblatt report on Berching. Since Berching is very close to the district border with Upper Bavaria , the Donaukurier from Ingolstadt also reports regularly about Berching in its B-issue for Beilngries and the north-eastern district of Eichstätt . The intersection of the city of Berching is also noticeable in the area of ​​broadcasting. The Regensburg regional broadcaster Charivari ( to be received in Berching over 94.0 MHz ) reports as well as the regional broadcaster Radio IN coming from Ingolstadt ( to be received in Berching over 105.4 MHz ). Also Franken TV , intv and the Bavarian television report from Berching.

Public facilities

Berching is a town with facilities that are typical of a small town. A library and a few playgrounds are available. Berching was the seat of the deanery of the Eichstätt diocese .

The Protestant Church is represented by a pastor's office.

Berching has a Catholic youth office together with Neumarkt and Velburg. It is located next to the Schneemühle youth center.

Because of the settlement of many elderly people, a geriatric ward was built, which is operated together with a rehabilitation clinic by the clinic chain Helios Kliniken AG. Next to it is the operations center of the BRK Neumarkt for the southern and southwestern district of Neumarkt.

In addition to the Berching adventure pool, called "Berle", there is a cinema, several restaurants and various shops that are located within the historic city walls, but also in the three industrial areas of An der B 299, in the Sollngriesbach industrial area and in the new building area.

education

In addition to a primary and secondary school, Berching has had a secondary school since the late 1990s.

Instead of Berching, Beilngries was awarded the bid by the Bavarian Ministry of Culture for a grammar school. In return, Berching was given a secondary school, which is mainly attended by students from the Berching area. Schoolchildren from Dietfurt can also come to the secondary school in Berching by bus shuttle. Berching students have the opportunity to attend high school in Beilngries. In addition, the grammar schools in Neumarkt can also be considered for attending school, especially if a certain grammar school branch of education is not offered in Beilngries. A FOS / BOS is also available in Neumarkt .

A branch of the Neumarkt adult education center is located in Berching .

There used to be a church secondary school for children from the area in the Benedictine Abbey of Plankstetten . In the course of the reorientation of the former abbot and current bishop of Eichstätt, Gregor Maria Hanke OSB , this was lifted and converted into a meeting center. In this meeting center, called "Haus Gregor", many events of the monastery or of larger companies from the region (e.g. Audi ) take place. There are also many youth meeting days, so that the monastery has retained an educational character.

With the Schneemühle house, a youth center was built that is also rented by schools and can be used for leisure purposes.

Personalities

  • Neumarkter Tor

  • Walkable defensive wall

  • St. Lorenz Church

literature

Web links

Commons : Berching  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wikisource: Berching in the Topographia Franconiae (Mathäus Merian)  - sources and full texts

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ "Data 2" sheet, Statistical Report A1200C 202041 Population of the municipalities, districts and administrative districts 1st quarter 2020 (population based on the 2011 census) ( help ).
  2. ↑ BayernAtlas: Geological map of Bavaria M 1: 500,000. Bavarian State Office for the Environment, accessed on May 5, 2018 .
  3. ^ City of Berching in the local database of the Bavarian State Library Online . Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, accessed on December 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Wilhelm Volkert (ed.): Handbook of Bavarian offices, communities and courts 1799–1980 . CH Beck, Munich 1983, ISBN 3-406-09669-7 , p. 433 .
  5. ^ Federal Statistical Office (ed.): Historical municipality directory for the Federal Republic of Germany. Name, border and key number changes in municipalities, counties and administrative districts from May 27, 1970 to December 31, 1982 . W. Kohlhammer GmbH, Stuttgart and Mainz 1983, ISBN 3-17-003263-1 , p. 649 and 650 .
  6. ↑ SessionNet | City council. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
  7. ↑ Mayor / Lord Mayor in municipalities belonging to the district (as of May 1st, 2020). (xlsx) Bavarian State Office for Statistics, accessed on June 20, 2020 .
  8. ↑ Mayor and deputies , accessed on August 26, 2020
  9. ^ Entry on the Berching coat of arms  in the database of the House of Bavarian History
  10. ^ Savigny-Freunde Berching - Partnership Committee of the City of Berching. Retrieved on July 28, 2019 (German).
  11. ^ VDV: reactivation of railway lines. Retrieved August 5, 2020 .