Birkenau, municipality in Kreis Bergstraße, Germany
Birkenau is a small municipality in Hesse, located in the Bergstraße district in the Odenwald region. The town has historic buildings including a town hall from 1552 and a Baroque palace, along with traditional houses spread across quiet streets.
The town was first mentioned in records in 795 when it was given to Lorsch Abbey, and later passed to the Mainz archbishopric. A town hall was built in the 1500s and a Baroque palace was constructed in the 1700s for local rulers.
The town is known for its many sundials scattered across buildings and gardens throughout the area. These old time-keeping devices shape the character of the place and show how residents connect with history and traditional craftsmanship.
The town is accessible by the Weschnitztalbahn train line, which runs regularly to larger cities. There are kindergartens, a primary school, and small shops for daily needs, along with hiking trails and cycling routes into the surrounding countryside.
The local handball team TSV Birkenau won the last official German field handball championship in 1970 and remains proud of this achievement. Sports continue to shape community life in the town today.
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