Kröning and Bödldorf

When I went to look up something on Kröning, I learned that there are more layers to the government organization in Bavaria than back home. While we have national, state, county and municipal levels of government, Germany has national, state, government district, county, administrative communities,  municipalities and then districts.

Kröning is a small municipality of about 2000 residents.  The population is spread out over an area of about 40 square kilometers and is divided further into 81 districts. We are staying in the hamlet of Bödldorf - which is one of the 81 districts.  According to my good friend Wikipedia, Bödldorf was originally a pottery-making community.  There are several buildings here on the Bavarian historic register, including this Chapel which is a few meters from where are vans are parked.  If the chapel looks small, it's because it is. One of the sides not seen in this picture is open to the elements and there may be room inside for a dozen people.

  

There were three pottery works in Bödldorf as early as 1474. From what I've read, the Kröning municipality was well known for their pottery made from a blue clay in the hillsides.  It was a predominant industry of the area. By the 18th century, annual production reached about 1 million pottery items.  Apparently the clay is still mined today, although it is now primarily used for roofing tile.

There is a Folk Museum nearby that provides much more information. However almost everything is closed for the Christmas holiday, so we won’t be able to go visit it before heading on to our next stop.

I haven't gone out and taken a head count, but I would guess the current population of Bödldorf is around ten or less. Our hosts Gerd and Silvia live in a large house next to the building we occupy.  There are several other very large structures which collectively make up a "building ensemble."  There is an open courtyard area in the middle.  Opposite Gerd & Silvia's home is a structure that perhaps once housed cows (there are still two on the property).  The building has been converted into an outdoor reception hall complete with a dozen huge picnic tables that could perhaps seat 20 people each.  At one end is a small elevated platform that could be used as a stage or dance floor.

As of this writing, we have mostly been in Bödldorf in the dark.  I hope to be able to explore a little more during daylight hours and meet some of the animals that also call this place home.