Walter Frei presented his new book "Bad Tölz - A City Through the Ages" in the Tölzer Franzmühle.
On 240 pages, he contrasts historical photographs with current views.
Bad Tölz – “A declaration of love to my hometown Bad Tölz” is his new book, Walter Frei explained on Wednesday evening to the numerous guests in the Franzmühle rectory.
At the book presentation of the illustrated book "Bad Tölz - A City Through the Ages", he gave a first glimpse of the 240-page work with almost 300 photos, which was published by Hirmer Verlag and will be available from this Saturday, April 29th, in bookstores in the district will be available.
Photographer Hias Krinner has been on the road with his camera for two years
The photos document how the city has developed and changed over the decades.
To do this, Frei contrasts the historical photographs, most of which date from the period between 1850 and 1950 and mostly from his book “Tölz in alten Bilder”, which was published more than 20 years ago, with current photographs from the same perspective, if possible, “in order to make the change visible ' said Free.
The new photos are from Hias Krinner.
The man from Oberfischbach was out and about with his camera and drone for two years.
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Walter Frei (Wednesday) provided the first insights into the illustrated book on Wednesday evening.
Also in the picture are layouter Josef Müller and photographer Hias Krinner (right).
© arp
The aerial photographs are particularly impressive, documenting exactly how streets have changed, for example.
And they also show how many open meadow areas are now cultivated.
No wonder, "the population of Bad Tölz has increased sixfold in the last 150 years," said Frei.
For example, there is a shot in which – between meadows – only a lonely house can be seen.
Today the tourist information is located there with the densely built Max-Höfler-Platz.
The images also document how prominent buildings have changed.
The transformation of the Isar bridge is clearly visible
For example, one photo shows "the Kahnturm in 1927 - slim and beautiful," said Frei.
Next to it is the picture of the Kahnturm in its current, somewhat stockier form.
Another photo shows the Ludwigsbrunnen in Marktstraße, which was replaced by the Winzerer monument in 1887.
The transformation of the Isar Bridge is also easy to understand - from the last wooden bridge built before 1881 over the stone bridge with wooden pulpits ("it was the most beautiful one we had") to today's sober reinforced concrete design.
The photos also show structural mistakes in Bad Tölz
You can also see some construction sins.
For Frei, this includes the “Haus am Park” on Buchener Strasse.
“This box can be seen from the winemaker.
That doesn't suit us," said Frei.
There was once "a pretty little house that was built in 1911 by a Jewish couple".
Frei's verdict on Wilhelmstrasse, where the Hotel Hiedl was "replaced by a block of condominiums", is similar.
And just like the city pastor Peter Demmelmair, who was among the guests, Frei cannot get used to the large transmission tower on Calvary at all.
By the way: Everything from the region is also available in our regular Bad Tölz newsletter.
The illustrations are supplemented by a chronological table that includes all the important events in the history of Tölz between 1550 and 2023.
"Love of Hometown Put on Paper"
There was a lot of recognition for Frei's work in the greetings.
The book, which the Tölzer dedicated to his wife Christl, who died a few months ago, not only documents the change for future generations.
"The love for our hometown, which we all feel, was also put on paper," said District Administrator Josef Niedermaier.
"I want you to feel most of all the joy that people will have with this volume."
Book as a basis for further urban planning
Thomas Zuhr, Managing Director of Hirmer Verlag, expressed his thanks for the "wonderful cooperation", and he also conveyed the greetings of publisher Dirk Ippen.
"A special kind of contemporary document was created," said Zuhr.
It offers "a journey through the past with a leap into the future" and can also serve as a basis for further urban planning.
So it was fitting that Frei also welcomed the city architect Florian Ernst among the audience.
The book:
"Bad Tölz - A City Through the Ages", 240 pages, published by Hirmer Verlag, will be available in all bookshops in the district from Saturday.
It costs 39.80 euros.
You can find even more current news from the region around at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.