Dingolfing is a town in Southern Bavaria, Germany. It is the seat of the Landkreis (district) Dingolfing-Landau.

History

The area now called Dingolfing was first mentioned in Tinguluinga in the year 833.

In the year 1251 the Duke of Bavaria, Otto II awarded municipal rights to the town.

Dingolfing's large growth took place during the years of about 1315 to 1600. During this time the city prospered mostly through trade, fishing, leather craft and the production of wool cloths. The duke promoted these works, causing Dingolfing to prosper even more.

The war of Austrian succession caused very heavy damage to the city and decimated the population by epidemics. The city became nothing more than debris and ash on May 16, 1743 after being fired upon by Austrian troops. Greater parts of the city were burnt in a large fire. Many of the town's records were destroyed in this fire.

Between 1802 and 1803 the local courts were dissolved. Between 1816 and 1817 there were many economic and harvest failures. There was also a period of large price increases. This period is thought to be the lowest point in the long history of the city.

A railroad track leading from Munich to Prague and many new roads were built in the mid 1800s, which began a major turn-around for the city. Many new industries formed in Dingolfing around this time too. The region began to paint a new picture of itself.

In 1905 a new machine shop opened to repair broken farming equipment. After the Second World War this shop changed its business and began producing scooters and automobiles. In the 1950s this plant began producing automobiles under the Glas car company. Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), from which the city prospers greatly today, bought this plant in 1967.

After 1945 and especially since the 1970s Dingolfing intensified its investments in its urban infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and housing for the elderly.

Geography

Dingolfing is located on the Isar river. Dingolfing is about 100 km northeast of Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria, and about 30 km east of Landshut and 25 km south of Straubing. The Isar divides the city into the older historical section of the city and the newer section.

There are three main parts of the historical city, Upper, Middle, and Lower Dingolfing.

Important buildings

• Parish church St. Josef, a monumental hall church planned by Robert Vorhoelzer, 1954-1956

Economy

The most important industry in this town and the region Dingolfing-Landau depends on the automobile industry. In Dingolfing, you can find the largest BMW Plant in the world. Every year about 270,000 cars (BMW 5, 6, 7 series and also the M5 and M6) leave this plant.

Celebrities & athletes from Dingolfing

Marco Sturm, current forward for the NHL's Boston Bruins, was born in Dingolfing on September 8, 1978.1