Teisnach

Teisnach is a municipality in the district of Regen in Lower Bavaria, part of the Bavarian Forest region. The town is situated on the river Teisnach, a tributary of the Regen, and lies approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the district town of Regen. Historically shaped by glassmaking and later by precision engineering, it serves as a commercial and cultural hub within the Bayerischer Wald nature park.

Geography

Teisnach is located in the heart of the Bavarian Forest, near the border with the Czech Republic. The municipality encompasses several villages, including Kötzing, Riedham, and Wetzelsdorf. The landscape is characterized by forested hills and the valleys of the Teisnach and its tributaries, part of the Danube river system. It lies within the Bayerischer Wald National Park region, offering extensive hiking trails and natural attractions like the nearby Großer Arber mountain.

History

The area around Teisnach was likely settled during the Middle Ages, with the parish church first mentioned in a 1145 document from Pope Eugene III. For centuries, the local economy was dominated by the glass industry, with numerous glass huts operating in the surrounding forests. The community later passed under the rule of the Electorate of Bavaria. A significant transformation began in 1877 with the opening of the Bavarian Forest Railway line from Plattling to Bayerisch Eisenstein, connecting Teisnach to major trade routes. The 20th century saw the rise of the precision engineering firm Rohde & Schwarz, founded in 1933 in Munich, which established a major production plant here after World War II, fundamentally shaping the modern town.

Economy

The industrial presence of Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in electronic test equipment and secure communications, dominates the local economy, providing significant employment. Traditional sectors like forestry and wood processing remain important, leveraging resources from the Bavarian Forest. Tourism also contributes, with the town acting as a base for visitors exploring the Bayerischer Wald National Park, the Großer Arber ski region, and the Glass Trail. Several small and medium-sized enterprises in manufacturing and trade complete the economic structure.

Culture and sights

The central landmark is the Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. George, a Baroque hall church rebuilt in the 18th century. The local Heimatmuseum (local history museum) documents the region's glassmaking heritage and industrial history. Cultural events include the annual Volksfest (folk festival) and a traditional Christmas market. The surrounding area offers attractions like the Bayerwald Tierpark Lohberg wildlife park, the historic Fürsteneck Castle ruins, and the Pfahl quartz ridge, a designated geotope.

Notable people

* **Maximilian Schmidt** (1832–1919), known as "Waldschmidt," a popular Bavarian writer and folklorist who chronicled life in the Bavarian Forest. * **Hermann Schwarz** (1908–1995), co-founder of the electronics company Rohde & Schwarz, instrumental in establishing its plant in Teisnach. * **Ludwig Bschorr** (1909–1995), a Roman Catholic monsignor and cathedral chapter in Regensburg, born in the district of Kötzing.

Category:Municipalities in Bavaria Category:Regen (district)