Some History of the Town
7th/8th Century:
A precondition for the emergence of a settlement with a water customs station on the Salzach is a castle whose prominence and expansion over the centuries will have a decisive influence on the development of Burghausen.
After Duke Tassilos III is deposed (788), it becomes a sovereign possession of the Carolingians
11th/12th Century:
First documentary mention as imperial property (1025)
Later, Emperor Konrad II names the "Counts of Burghausen" to administer the fiscal assets. Duke Heinrich the Lion takes possession of the castle (1164)
13th Century:
First the castle (1180), and then the now urban-like valley settlement becomes the property of the Wittelsbachs in 1229. It is presumed that the town charter was conferred shortly afterwards
After 1255, with the first partitioning of Bavaria, its political and economic upturn begins as the second residence of the dukes of Lower Bavaria. It is the lifeblood of the town, especially in the trading of salt from Hallein.
14th Century:
Conferral of important privileges on the town by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian
Expansion of the town to the north and south (Zaglau and Spitalvorstadt)
Town fire 1353
Administration centre as sovereign tax/property authority (Rentamt/Viztumamt)
15th/16th Century:
The town flourishes and experiences its heyday under the last three dukes of lower Bavaria, Heinrich, Ludwig and Georg, known as "the Rich" (1393-1503)
Devastating town fire (1504)
After Landshut war of succession, it is one of the four tax authorities (Rentamt) in the newly partitioned Bavaria (1505) Assignment of the magistrate's office (1581)
Loss of the main source of income from the salt trade with the installation of the ducal salt monopoly (1594)
17th/18th Century:
Heavy casualties and encumbrances in the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) and in the wars of succession (1701-1714 and (1740-1745)
Burghausen becomes a border town after the surrender of the Inn quarter and with it the economically ideal hinterland (Peace of Teschen after Bavarian War of Succession 1778-1779)
19th Century:
The town is as though under a curse: hardships of the Napoleonic wars, dissolution of the government (1802)
Deprived (1807) of the title of "capital" bestowed in 1688
River navigation discontinued
Withdrawal of the garrison (1891)
Decline to an insignificant small town
20th Century:
Economic upturn after the establishment of the Wacker plants (1915)
The New Town emerges. The unique, self-contained character of the Old Town is preserved!
Restoration of the Old Town begins with the construction of a flood-control dyke and quay (1969/1971)
The New Town
With the establishment of the Wacker chemical industry in Burghausen, it is a new chapter in the town's history, while the history of the New Town begins at the same time. As the chemical industry blooms, more and more people seek housing near the plant. The New Town develops rapidly. Business and industry settle there. Some "take refuge" from the floodwaters of the Old Town, others are new residents.
The town is at a turning point in its history again and starts out on a "second career" that is, and will continue to be, a success.
Against the background of the Old Town restoration in the 70s and 80s, the New Town becomes the focal point, driven on by Mayor Hans Steindl in the 90s.
The first visible sign is the mult-functional community house with the attractive Stadtplatz before it. With the start of the new millennium, the shopping streets are to be made even more attractive. The town is setting up new, modern and customer-friendly attractions so that Burghausen is more efficient as a shopping town.
With ideal spaces ranging from a small conference rooms to mid-sized lecture halls and large function rooms, Burghausen is on the way to becoming an attractive conference and convention town.