HOLZKIRCHEN IM HERZEN OBERBAYERNS

Officially designated a Marktgemeinde (market community), the community of over 16,000 inhabitants is comprised of the town of Holzkirchen together with thirty-five villages and 200 farmsteads near the town. Administratively Holzkirchen is part of the Landkreis Miesbach ( County of Miesbach ), in the Regierungsbezirk Oberbayern (Administrative District of Upper Bavaria), in the Freistaat Bayern ( Republic of Bavaria ). Holzkirchen is governed by a mayor or Bürgermeister (Josef Höß elected for a six-year term in 2002) and a city council or Gemeinderat consisting of representatives of several political parties.

Holzkirchen is located about twenty miles south of Munich , the capital of Bavaria with a population of over one million, and is served by an exit on the Munich-Salzburg Autobahn. Immediately to the south of Holzkirchen begin the foothills of the Bavarian Alps ; in the distance one can see the higher mountains along the Austrian border. Holzkirchen is also the junction point for several rail lines coming out of the Alpine region and then continuing on into the metropolitan Munich area. The rail line from the Bahnhof in Holzkirchen to Munich also serves the S-Bahn or rapid transit trains in addition to the regular passenger trains of the Bayerische Oberlandbahn. With the commuter pass or IsarCard provided by the Sommerschule for July, students may travel throughout the Munich area on trains, rapid transit trains, streetcars, subways and busses. Students may also purchase inexpensive weekend tickets for short excursions by rail to many Alpine resorts (Bad Tölz, Schliersee, Tegernsee, and even Salzburg , Austria ).

Holzkirchen is served by Grundschulen (elementary schools), a Hauptschule (secondary school), a Realschule (intermediate high school), a private Gymnasium (college preparatory school), a private business high school or Wirtschaftsschule, and a continuing education center for adults or Volkshochschule. Our institute works together with the Volkshochschule and utilizes classroom facilities provided there by the community of Holzkirchen. Holzkirchner who desire to attend a public Gymnasium must commute to another city. Over 60,000 students are enrolled in the several university-level institutions in Munich proper.

The Holzkirchen community is served by several Catholic churches reflecting the dominant position of the Roman Catholic faith in southern Bavaria : St. Laurentius on the market place in Holzkirchen dates from 1711, although earlier churches were built at that location; St. Josef (1961) is today the principal parish church for Holzkirchen. The oldest church in the area is Maria Heimsuchung (Church of the Visitation) in Großhartpenning the largest of the outlying villages with the church building dating from the 16th century and the parish itself from ca. 795 the era of Charlemagne. Other historical churches include St. Johann Baptist (1664) in the village of Föching and the chapel of St. Margaretha in Roggersdorf which dates from the 12th century. Many prayer chapels (Kapellen) dot the landscape in and around Holzkirchen and complement the numerous Kreuze, crucifixes, along streets and country lanes. In the Stube or dining area of family homes one usually finds a corner decorated with a crucifix the Herrgottswinkl (the Lord's corner). On church festival days one may often see a colorful procession with parishioners in folk costumes and a brass band leading the way. The German Protestant community in Holzkirchen is served by the Segenskirche founded in 1898. One cannot help being impressed by the many reflections of the long religious tradition and its impact on daily life in this region.

Holzkirchen is served by the branches of several major banks, including the Kreissparkasse Miesbach which has handled the Sommerschule account for many years. Die Post (post office) located in the heart of the community will assist you in mailing letters, postcards, and packages. Telefonkarten which will allow you to use public telephones conveniently may be purchased in a number of shops.

Across from the Hauptschule is the community Hallenbad (indoor swimming pool) and there are several lakes, particularly the nearby Hackensee, where members of the community go swimming on warm summer days. There are many opportunities for biking and hiking in the vicinity of Holzkirchen. The Alpine region offers many trails for mountain hiking.

Linguistically, Holzkirchen is located within the Central Bavarian dialect area. This dialect encompasses the area between the Danube River and the Alps from Munich to Vienna . You will definitely notice the distinct local accent and numerous dialect expressions used in everyday speech. Instead of "Guten Tag!" you will be greeted by "Grüß Gott!" and when you depart you will hear "Servus!" or perhaps “Pfiagott!” instead of "Auf Wiedersehen!" But most of all, the friendship and hospitality of the Holzkirchner will overwhelm you!