The Basilika St. Mang is a big, Baroque church which is a part of the St. Mang's Abbey. While the abbey is no longer functional and is operated as a museum, the church is still in operation, attracting scores of visitors due to its palace like design.
Located on a mountainside overlooking the Hohenschwangau valley, the Neuschwanstein Castle is a dream-like structure in an idyllic setting. Construction of the castle began in 1869 but was not completed until 1892. King Ludwig II commissioned its construction so that he could stay in a beautiful castle when he wanted to escape the royal courts. However, the king did not live to see the castle's completion. Visitors can explore the castle's Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic-inspired interior, including the third and fourth floors, which were supposed to have been the king’s residences. These floors house opulent murals and spectacular wood carvings. Tours of the castle are available throughout the day. Visitors must visit the nearby Mary's Bridge, from where the view of the castle and its surroundings is stunning.
Standing out amid the dense verdure of Bavaria, the imposing facade of the Hohenschwangau Castle looks nothing short of a castle from a fairytale. Dating back to the 19th Century and credited to Maximilian II of Bavaria, the castle was home to King Ludwig II when he was a child. The architecture and interiors of the castle are simply spectacular. The castle is open to public visitation throughout the year and also offers guided tours in several languages. The castle is one of the prime tourist attractions in the city. The Schloss Hohenschwangau is also one of the few castles in the country that remained unscathed during both World War I and World War II.
The Linderhof Palace, nestled in the western corner of Ettal, is the smallest castle to have been constructed by King Ludwig II. The tour of the palace gives visitors a glimpse into the opulent life that King Ludwig II led. From various chambers, dining rooms, grottos, and the King's favorite Hall of Mirrors, the ornate castle and its breathtaking expanse gives an up and close peek into the royal life. In winter when the castle is covered in snow, it resembles a spectacular, magical snow globe. While the castle is the smallest in size among all three palaces commissioned by King Ludwig II, it is also one of the most beautiful and exquisite royal complexes.
Among the largest of its kind, Ettal Abbey is an active Benedictine abbey. Though it was established by Emperor Ludwig in 1330, it is the Baroque designs of the architect Enrico Zuccalli after 1744 that laid the foundation for the beautiful structure that stands today. Featuring a stunning façade, the monastery is regarded as one of the most prominent sacred destinations in the area. Visitors can visit the bookstore to peruse the titles on display, stroll through the picturesque monastery garden, or explore the distillery that produces the famous Ettaler Kloster Liqueur. Guided tours of the complex are also offered.
Reconstructed in 2000, Hornbahn a popular ariel cableway in Bad Hindelang that connects to the mountain station located on the top of Imberger Horn. Managed by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group today, the gondola lift is 1423 meters (4668) long. Also, visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, both during summer and winter seasons and biking during summer.
A beautiful mountain refuge built by King Ludwig II in the 19th Century, Königshaus am Schachen reflects his interest in oriental culture, particularly Turkish culture. The large hall is opulently decorated in reds, golds and oranges with beautiful Turkish textiles, divans, and an indoor fountain which contrasts with the surprising simplicity of the Swiss chalet. The Königshaus am Schachen is accessible only via foot or mountain bike, and avid hikers traverse this beautiful trek to witness the unique site. Guided tours of the building are available through the day. The nearby botanical gardens, which feature beautiful Alpine flora and fauna, are also worth visiting.
The Franziskanerkloster St. Anton (Pilgrimage Church of St Anthony) was built between the years 1708 and 1738 in the Rococo style. The 1738 addition features a cupola that can be seen from across the town. The cupola or onion dome features a beautiful fresco by Johann Evangelist Holzer. The walk up to the church allows visitors to appreciate the panorama below, and the views of the mountains peeking through the trees is enchanting. The park surrounding the Franziskanerkloster St. Anton is perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll.
With roots dating back to as early as the 12th Century, St. Nikolaus is one of the oldest churches in Unterammergau. Characterized by cream-colored facade and an onion dome tower, it stands out elegantly amidst its neighborhood structures and verdant surroundings. Hidden behind the relatively demure exterior lies a space that is richly adorned with Baroque and Rococo style embellishments. The ceiling is resplendently adorned with colorful frescoes and the nave and organ are quite noteworthy too.
One of the most revered sites in Kaufbeuren and the Bavarian region, the monastery Kaufbeuren or Crescentia Kloster is a significant landmark, founded around the 9th Century BC. The monastery's superior was Maria Crescentia Hoss who was later beatified by Pope John Paul II in the 20th Century. While devout worshipers come here to attend mass services, tourists flock to admire the architecture of this old monastery and church.
Set against the backdrop of Zugspitze, Ammergau Alps and Estergebirge, the Blue Land is an alpine wonderland of Bavaria. The focal point of the expressionist art movement The Blue Rider, the breathtaking beauty of this region has inspired painters and writers for centuries. Dappled with lush green expanses and azure lakes, the place is known for hiking on the famed Royal Route, believed to have been used by the German Emperors. Munter Haus, an art museum and the erstwhile residence of painter Gabriel Munter, is a structure right out of a fairytale book with its flower gardens and vibrant exteriors. Home to the largest alpine edge moors and a major bird breeding area, the blue land's cobbled alleys house significant remnants of history.
Stadtbibliothek Kempten is situated within a 17th century Baroque royal residence in the heart of Kempten. A three-terraced court garden laid out in a formal geometric design complements the ensemble. The northern termination is the orangery built in 1780. The elongated building presently houses the municipal library with over 13,000 options to choose from. Fiction, non-fiction, supplementary magazines, you will find it all here. So if you want to spend an afternoon reading in peace, then this is the place for you.