Ettal Tourist Attractions
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Situation and characteristicsThe winter sports resort of Ettal, situated in a high valley in the Ammergebirge, at the foot of the Ettaler Mandl (1,634 m/5,361ft), is famed for its Benedictine abbey. The monks produce a fragrant herb beverage (Ettaler Klosterlikör), made according to an ancient recipe.
Ettal Abbey
The Benedictine abbey of Ettal was founded in 1330 by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian. The church, originally a Gothic structure on a centralized plan, was converted into a domed Baroque church by Enrico Zuccali between 1710 and 1726 and restored after a fire by Josef Schmuzer in 1744-52.Features of the sumptuous interior are the fine fresco in the dome (1752), the masterpiece of J. J. Zeiller of Reutte (Tirol); six beautiful side altars by J. B. Straub (1757-62); and a famous 14th century image of the Virgin by Pisano in the tabernacle on the high altar.In front of the church are the abbey's boarding school (until 1744 the Knights' Academy) and a grammar school.
Ettaler Mandl
3km/2mi north of Ettal rises the Ettaler Mandl (1,634 m/5,361ft; 2.5-3 hours' climb from Ettal, or by cableway from Oberammergau to the Laberjoch, then 15minutes on foot).
Linderhof Palace and Park
11km/7mi west of Ettal in magnificent mountain scenery, is Schloss Linderhof, built by G. Dollmann for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, following Roccoco models (1874-78). Park, with fountains.
