Welcome to the Bavarian Millitary Community

36 Welcome to the U.S.Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. This is our motto and we would like to present our town to you, our American fellow citizens, and to show you what Eschenbach offers to you and your families. With this welcome-brochure we want to invite you to a brief ramble through the Rußweiher town. History Local historians assume that Eschen- bach was founded in the 8th or 9th century. The village of Eschen- bach surrounded the parish church which is still located at the same place. This church was the center of the village Eschenbach, later the market and then the town. In 1285 the village was listed as market town for the first time and on January 11th 1358 Charles IV granted town priviledges to Eschen- bach. The following centuries were marked by several destructions, pillages and lootings as well as devastating town fires that laid big parts in ashes but the inhabitants always kept their chins up. After World War II the town persons responsible had to cope with the enormous task of accommodating and integrating numerous refugees. This also included creating new jobs and improving education offers and health services. New building areas were designated and this led to a steadily increasing population. Nowadays, more than 7,500 people – including the American families – live in the town. The core of the town In 1990 Eschenbach started to rede- velop the town center, a process that is almost finished. The town hall can be seen as the central building, built in 1570. The town core is an attractive residential area but also the perfect location for several retail shops, banks, gastronomy and many health ser- vices. In addition to the characteristic churches at the East and West end of the old town, also the art works of the town hall and rotary fountains and the glass art at Marienplatz show the beauty of this area. Strolling through the alleys pays off as well. Nature and relaxation The Eschenbach “Erholungswald” (forest for relaxation) is just the second forest in Bavaria that received this title. This is a sign for extraordinary relaxation. The forest contains of the natural reserve “Vogelfreistätte Großer Rußweiher” (the lake area of Rußwei- her) and the forest nature trail “Holz- weg” which we would like to inform you briefly about: Natural reserve “Vogelfreistätte Großer Rußweiher” The natural reserve includes a range of fish ponds and is at the same time breeding habit for many bird species, especially mire crows. Designated trails with different watching towers and observation platforms allow the visitors to get an insight in the special flora and fauna of the region. Forest nature trail “Holzweg” A cooperation between Eschenbach, the nature park Nördlicher Oberpfälzer Wald, Waldjugend Eschenbach and the local forest authority fostered the creation of a natural adventure park next to highway B470 (direction Pressath) in 2002 that offers quality time in unspoiled coun- tryside for everyone. English brochures about both sights can be found in the registration office in Eschenbach. Leisure time Circular walk around “kleiner Rußweiher” Walking, bicycling or inline skating, alone or with the family – there are offers for everyone in Eschenbach. Our asphalted circular way invites the visitors to relax when walking the 5.3 kilome- ters around the bathing lake Rußweiher and to enjoy the gastronomy offers of “Hexenhäusel”, the camping and leisure facility, the hotel and restaurant “Glutschaufel” or the “Hotel am See”. Eschenbach i.d. Opf – a livable and loveable town