Welcome to the Bavarian Millitary Community2021/2022

28 Welcome to the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. Dear American guests, Let me tell you something about your “Home far away from Home” Grafen- woehr. Through its 660-year history the city of Grafenwoehr has provided its residents and visitors with a plethora of enter- tainment and activities. This tradition continues today. Visitors can explore historical docu- ments in the Altstadt (historical town center), starting with the late Gothic Rathaus (town hall), which was con- structed in 1462, and is therefore older than Columbus’ famous voyage to the Americas. Currently, the city’s administration con- ducts business in the Rathaus. The City Council meets there and residents hold wedding ceremonies in the building’s historical rooms. In the past, the build- ing also functioned as a school, a bank, fire department, police station, night-watchman quarters and as a prison. The Rathaus is a single building in the center of the market square, which is typical for a 14th century town. In front of the Rathaus is the Mariensaeu- le (Saint Mary column), which was con- structed in 1922 in memory of the Grafenwoehr residents who died in World War I. It also honors the victims of World War II and the allied bomb- ings on April 5 and April 8, 1945. The plague column located at the lower market square dates back to 1496. It is assumed that it was constructed in ap- preciation by the survivors of the plague. Not only history buffs will be interested in the Kultur- und Militaermuseum (Cultural and Military Museum), which is located next to the city pond and city park. The newly designed exhibition at the Culture and Military Museum in 2015 considers in addition to the long-last- ing history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area, the development of the city and shows the many facets of coexistence of the local population with the sta- tioned soldiers of the US Army. Com- plex groups of visitors, also members of the allied forces stationed, can thus discover an interesting and unique ex- hibition on one’s own or with guided tours. They even will meet Elvis Presley! Grafenwoehr’s churches and small cha- pels provide another opportunity for exploration. For example, the 15 th cen- tury “Alte Pfarrkirche” with its rich Ba- roque interior, provides a sharp con- trast to the modern Friedenskirche (Peace Church) which boasts a 114-square meter altarpiece. Grafenwoehr – Your Home away from Home Concert at Natural Stage am Schönberg.