Untergriesbach

Untergriesbach is a municipality in the district of Passau in Bavaria in Germany.GeographyUntergriesbach is located in the southern Bavarian Forest and extends high above the deep valley of the Danube. The height of the market town is 565 meters above sea level. Via the Bundesstraße 388 it is connected to Passau (22 km) and in the opposite direction to the Upper Austrian Haslach (32 km).HistoryThe name comes from the nobles of Griesbach. These were a rich noble family with numerous possessions in the "land of the Abbey" (Passauer Abbey Country). Nothing remains from the former castle.Originally it was named "Griespach", then "Griesbach on high market" (to distinguish it from "Griesbach in the cell" = Obernzell) and finally renamed in 1806 to Untergriesbach (to distinguish it from Bad Griesbach in the Rott Valley).The nobles of Griesbach died out in the early 13th century. Their successors were the Wessenberger who possessed an extended property as a fief of the Bishopric Passau. The castle was probably destroyed after the death of the last Wessenberger around 1240.1260 Bishop Otto of Lonsdorf (approx. 1200-1265) gave the rights to hold a market and other privileges. During the Passau citizens revolt against Bishop Albert III. von Winkel (died 1380) Untergriesbach was burned down 1367 by insurgents from Passau. In 1456 Bishop Ulrich of Nussdorf confirmed and extended the rights and freedoms of the market.