a document from 22 July 1926, the interior minister of the People's State of Hesse granted the community the right to bear these arms. Economy and infrastructure Tourism In the Birkenau constituent community of Schnorrenbach there used to be a winter sport area with a 450 m-long downhill skiing slope and a ski lift. In summer, grass skiing was possible. Floodlights have also been installed. The ski lift has stopped operating in 2020. Transport Birkenau lies in the area served by the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar, a transport authority serving the Rhine Neckar Area. Birkenau railway station is on the Weschnitztalbahn (railway; Weinheim–Fürth (Odenwald)). DB Regio AG's Regionalbahn trains stop there hourly, and half-hourly during weekday peak times. Until 1999, Bundesstraße 38 ran through Birkenau. With the opening of the Saukopftunnel, this road's route has been effectively shifted out of the community; the “old B 38” is now the Landesstraße 3408. Public institutions Freibad Birkenau (outdoor swimming pool) Hallenbad Langenberg (indoor swimming pool) Gemeinde und Bürgerhaus (community centre) Education 7 kindergartens 2 primary schools (Sonnenuhrenschule, Grundschule Nieder-Liebersbach) 1 Hauptschule-Realschule (Langenbergschule) Culture and sightseeing Buildings Historic town hall (1552 – the oldest in Kreis Bergstraße) with pillory and ellwand Schloss Birkenau, a Baroque palatial residence with the palace park of the Baron of Wamboldt Dorf der Sonnenuhren, the “Sundial Village”, with more than 100 sundials Sonnenuhrenschule Birkenau, a primary school Nature Around Birkenau are several nature conservation areas and a considerable number of hiking paths. These are found on the one hand in the woods around Birkenau, but on the other hand, the Höhenweg (“Height Way”, European walking route E1, plateau path between Birkenau and Reisen), for example, is also worth visiting, as there is a striking view over Birkenau and Nieder-Liebersbach. In Birkenau's woods it is not uncommon to see local wildlife, such as deer, various birds, hares, and so on. Here and there, foxholes are also to be found. Sport Nationally known is the TSV Birkenau (gymnastic and sport club) for its team handball division. The team played in the first Bundesliga and in 1974 became the last official German champions in field handball. References External links Sundials in Birkenau Bergstraße (district)