Falkenstein, Rhineland-Palatinate
Falkenstein is a municipality in the Thunder Mountain district in Rhineland- Palatinate. It belongs to the municipality Winnweiler.
- 3.1 municipal
- 3.2 Mayor
Geography
The place is located in the North Palatine Uplands between the Thunder Mountain in the northeast and the Palatinate Forest in the south.
At Falkenstein also includes the residential places Bornshof, Fuchshof, Merzauerhof and Wambacherhof.
Climate
The annual rainfall is 730 millimeters. The precipitates are in the mid -tenth of the values recorded in Germany. At 47 percent of the stations of the German Weather Service lower values are registered. The driest month is February, the most rainfall comes in July. In July, falling 1.7 times more precipitation than in February. Precipitation varies moderately. At 40 percent of the weather stations, lower seasonal swings are recorded.
History
The first documentary mention as " Falconolai " is detectable in the year 891. Then in 1135 was the first written mention of the castle with an owner Sigebold of Falkenstein. In 1233 the castle was owned by Philip III. of Bolanden, the "Lord of Falkenstein " called for the first time. He was imperial chamberlain and constable on the Trifels and inherited in 1258 the bailiwick in the Wetterau.
1456 were acquired IV of Daun- Oberstein castle and lordship of Wirich. This founded and ran the mines and smelters. 1536 reinforced his grandson Wirich V. von Daun -Falkenstein castle with fortifications, leaving the converted into a Renaissance castle.
1647 there was a siege, bombardment and storming of the castle by the French. General Schoenbeck let the blow it with three mines. 1654 stormed Falkensteiner subjects the building and shot the commander Lorraine Weingart. The last Count of Falkenstein, Wirich Wilhelm von Daun -Falkenstein, sold 1667, the impoverished county to the Duke of Lorraine. Sixty years later, the county came in 1736 through the marriage of Francis Stephen of Lorraine, Maria Theresa with the Imperial House of Habsburg.
1816, the Palatinate, and thus also the castle was ceded to Bavaria as a result of decisions taken at the Congress of Vienna agreements. Gienanth family acquired the castle grounds, which fell to the county Rockhausen and Donnersbergkreis later on the North Palatine Historical Society. Since 1996, the ruins are the property of the municipality.
1978 and 1984 both carried remedial measures at the castle ruins and it was declared a National Monument. After the founding of the " Castle association" an outdoor stage and 1997 Kneipp facilities were opened in 1992. Then in 2007 was still the new building of the Burghütte Falkenstein.
Policy
Parish council
The local council in Falkenstein is composed of six council members, who were elected at the municipal election held on 7 June 2009 by majority vote, and the honorary mayor as chairman.
Mayor
On 7 June 2009 was elected as the new mayor with 51.76 percent of the votes cast Volker Demmerle. He took over for the Office of Andreas Fischer.
Attractions
The Falkenstein Castle is located above the village. It was restored in 1979 in part. It is also where the outdoor theater is located with adjoining castle Stubb.
The Catholic Church of St. Catherine is located in the resort. The modern building was completed in 1976 and replaced a chapel from 1764.
A Kneipp facility was opened in 1997 and is located approximately 200 meters below the cemetery.
See also: List of cultural monuments in Falkenstein
Economy and infrastructure
To the west of Falkenstein B 48, which also leads to the A 63 ( Kaiserslautern Mainz) runs. In Winnweiler is a train station of Alsenztalbahn.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Kuno II of Falkenstein ( ~ 1320-1388 ), Archbishop and Elector of Trier