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Bad Abbach

Bad Abbach

Bad Abbach, an appealing market town and health resort, is situated in the scenic Danube valley between Kelheim and Regensburg in the Lower Bavarian region of Kelheim, Germany. Although specific population statistics are absent from the text, the town’s extensive history, varied topography, and current facilities illustrate a vibrant community that harmoniously integrates its historical heritage with modern conveniences.

Previously referred to as Abbach until 1934, Bad Abbach holds a crucial location in the region. It is situated in the region of Lower Bavaria, adjacent to the Upper Palatinate border, establishing it as a distinctive nexus of cultural influences. The town’s topography is defined by its closeness to the Danube River, which significantly influences its scenery and identity.

The northeastern edge of the market has the district of Oberndorf, which houses the Bad Abbach lock. This engineering feat is integrated into a broader system comprising a barrage and the Bad Abbach power facility, situated upstream in the Poikam area. The existence of these buildings highlights the town’s significance in regional water management and energy generation. Poikam features two notable bridges: a road bridge over the river near the weir and a Danube bridge facilitating the Regensburg-Ingolstadt railway line, underscoring the region’s significance as a transportation nexus.

A prominent pedestrian bridge serves as a local icon in Bad Abbach. This bridge, prominently visible from a distance, links the main town to the “leisure island,” situated between the Danube and the lock canal. This island functions as a recreational hub for both inhabitants and visitors, featuring the town’s swimming pool and many sports facilities. The bridge, designated as Charbonnières-les-Bains Bridge since 1988 in honor of Bad Abbach’s French twin town, represents the community’s global affiliations and dedication to recreation and wellness.

The terrain around Bad Abbach is varied and enchanting. The Hanselberg area, often referred to as Hanslberg, is situated in the border region of Oberndorf, along the route to Matting and Regensburg. This location features sheer Jura cliffs that ascend sharply from the banks of the Danube, producing a remarkable natural view. The existence of the Hanselberg Hut, managed by the Regensburg branch of the German Alpine Club, underlines the region’s appeal to hikers and environment aficionados.

Upon approaching Bad Abbach from Poikam along the B16 highway, a prominent rock monument becomes visible. This 19th-century edifice exemplifies the substantial rock blasting activities that occurred in the region, altering the terrain and facilitating contemporary development.

The town center of Bad Abbach exemplifies meticulous urban design, organized around a pedestrian area called Am Markt. The center region is characterized by two large hills that define the town’s unique profile. The Schloßberg, ascending to 383 meters above sea level, is topped by the parish church of St. Nicholas and the remnants of Abbach castle, with the notable “Heinrichsturm” or Henry’s Tower. To the south, a second hill ascends to 379 meters above sea level and houses the Kaiser-Therme thermal baths, a contemporary establishment that perpetuates the town’s enduring legacy as a health destination.

The configuration of Bad Abbach demonstrates a harmony between historical conservation and contemporary advancement. The spa gardens continue southwest of the market, providing green places for leisure and entertainment, while various new development zones have been built to the north and east. The recent developments in town provide vital community amenities, including kindergartens and schools, therefore maintaining Bad Abbach as a lively, family-oriented neighborhood.

The architectural legacy of Bad Abbach extends across millennia, with the earliest known construction being the remnants of a villa rustica from the Roman imperial era. Excavations carried out from 1982 to 1984 in the area east of the market uncovered the foundations of a complex comprising a manor house, ancillary structures, and bathing facilities. Although accurate dating is difficult, artifacts indicate an occupied period from 40 to 357 AD, providing insight into the region’s ancient history.

The most emblematic edifice in Bad Abbach is the vestige of Abbach Castle, erected under Duke Ludwig the Kelheimer beginning in 1224. Currently, the circular keep, commonly referred to as the “Henry Tower,” remains as a testimony to this very magnificent fortification. The tower ascends to a height of 27 meters, including walls that are 4.5 meters thick, and is built from local green sandstone and sand-lime brick. The designation “Henry Tower” originates from the conjecture that Emperor Henry II was possibly born at Abbach Castle, but this notion is still a topic of historical contention.

The town’s baroque legacy is manifest in several well-preserved residences along Marktstrasse, with exquisite volutes and gables that evoke a bygone period. These constructions coexist harmoniously with the town’s religious edifices, each narrating a segment of Bad Abbach’s historical narrative through the ages.

The Catholic parish church of St. Christopher, endearingly referred to as the “little church,” was established in 1484 by the residents of Abbach. Following its destruction by an ice blow in 1784, it was reconstructed in the baroque style, with interior furniture from that era. Subsequent enhancements and repairs over the 20th and early 21st centuries have guaranteed that this church continues to be an integral aspect of the community’s spiritual existence.

The Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas, a neo-Gothic masterpiece, is situated on the Schloßberg and was constructed between 1849 and 1852. This brick church, the fourth on this location, is encircled by the parish cemetery, providing a tranquil and reflective environment that overlooks the town.

In reaction to the town’s expansion and evolving requirements, the contemporary Church of the Holy Family was erected in the 1960s adjacent to the market square, offering a more accessible venue for communal prayer. The Protestant Kreuzkirche, characterized by its unique pyramid-shaped bell tower, was constructed in the 1970s, symbolizing the town’s religious plurality.

The character of Bad Abbach as a health resort is primarily represented by the Kaiser-Therme, a contemporary thermal bath facility established in 1993. This hospital, named after Emperor Charles V, who underwent treatment at Abbach in 1532, provides various health and wellness services. The Kaiser-Therme perpetuates the town’s longstanding heritage of health tourism, with both indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, spa treatments, and a salt cave containing salt from the Dead Sea.

The spa park, established in 1872 and considerably refurbished in 2010/2011, functions as the verdant core of Bad Abbach. The park offers a diverse recreational area for inhabitants and tourists, with water elements, a rock grotto, a herb garden honoring Hildegard von Bingen, and a small animal enclosure.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

1007 AD

Founded

+49 9405

Calling code

12,654

Population

55.29 km2 (21.35 sq mi)

Area

German

Official language

371 m (1,217 ft)

Elevation

CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)

Time zone

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