Festive partnership: Rohrbach and Mattersburg celebrate 750 years

Festive partnership: Rohrbach and Mattersburg celebrate 750 years

Members of the house in Hallertau recently took an exciting trip to the Austrian partner community of Rohrbach near Mattersburg. The 750th anniversary of the partnership since its founding in 1995 was celebrated there. The ceremony took place in the “Fürstenkeller”, a locally valued event location that is rich in history. Mayor Christian Keck led the delegation, which consisted of other community members, former mayors and local musicians. The brass band provided the musical accompaniment by presenting traditional Bohemian-Bavarian sounds.

The trip was not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to deepen existing relationships. “Regular visits promote cohesion and help carry the partnership into the next generation,” emphasized Keck. The village festival following a tour of the town was recognized by State Governor Hans Peter Doskozil as exemplary of the positive development of the region. With a proud population of 2,625, Rohrbach has developed into a thriving community with a long settlement history that dates back to 1274.

Connection to history and university statue

Particular attention was paid to the historical connection between Rohrbach and the nearby community of Pitten. The first documented mention of Pitten comes from the year 869, when the nun Peretkund transferred her goods to the bishop in Freising. To properly honor this event, both communities celebrated large anniversaries in 2019. This has led to the erection of a bronze statue of the Peretkund in both communities, which now represents a symbolic connection between Rohrbach and Pitten.

The statue in Pitten is already in place, while the one in Rohrbach will be erected in the fall. Interestingly, both sculptures were designed by local pharmacist Reinhard Adam. While the financing of the Pitten statue was secured through an Austrian funding program, the municipality of Rohrbach secured support through a Leader project to finance its own statue.

Future plans and further collaboration

Despite the flood situation, which prevented the originally planned inauguration ceremony for the Pitten statue, Mayor Helmut Berger was optimistic. “We look forward to recreating the event and further deepening the relationship between our communities through projects like this,” said Berger. The Rohrbach delegation also expressed their desire to return next year.

In addition, an important event for the fire department in Pitten will take place next year: the community will be invited to the inauguration of a new fire engine. These mutual visits and invitations help ensure that the partnership between the two Rohrbachs remains alive. A return visit to Rohrbach in Bavaria in 2025 is also being discussed and offers new perspectives for future collaborations.

In summary, the celebrations and initiatives that help strengthen the relationship between Rohrbach and Pitten not only plumb historical depths, but also create a strong foundation for future joint projects. These connections demonstrate the importance of regional partnerships and how they help us preserve and celebrate our cultural and historical roots.