Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourist Attractions
|
|
Situation and characteristicsGarmisch-Partenkirchen, on the Deutsche Alpenstrasse, is one of the busiest tourist and holiday places in the Bavarian Alps, a well known climatic resort and the leading German winter sports resort. The Winter Olympics of 1936 and the International Alpine Skiing Championships of 1978 were staged here.The wide valley of the Loisach is enclosed by mighty mountain massifs - to the north Kramer and the Wank, to the south the towering Wetterstein group, with the Kreuzeck, the jagged Alpspitze and the Dreitorspitze, and, rearing up behind the Grosser Waxenstein, the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain (2,963 m/9,722ft).
Garmisch
Garmisch, with its picturesque old houses (particularly in Frühlingstrasse), lies on the banks of the Loisach, beyond the railroad, and is part of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In Richard-Strauss-Platz is the Kongresshaus, set in the Kurpark.
New Parish Church
The New Parish Church (St Martin's) in Garmisch, built by Josef Schmuzer (1730-33), has a rich Baroque interior (Wessobrunn stucco-work). The Old Parish Church (Alte Pfarrkirche; 15th-16th C) has remains of Gothic wall painting.
Olympic Ice Stadium
Near the Zugspitze station (Zugspitzbahnhof) in Garmisch is the Olympic Ice Stadium and at Zöppritzstrasse 42, beyond the Loisach, the Richard Strauss Villa, home of the composer who died in Garmisch in 1949.
Hausbergbahn Cableway
The Hausbergbahn cableway (large cabins) travels from Garmisch up the Hausberghöhe (1,347 m/4,420ft), from which the Kreuzwanklbahn continues to the Kreuzwankln (1,550 m/5,086ft).
Osterfelderbahn Cableway
The Osterfelderbahn cableway (large cabins) travels from Garmisch up the Osterfelderkopf (2,050m/6,725ft). From the top there is another cableway (large cabins) to the Hochalm (1,700m/5,600ft).
Kreuzeckbahn Cableway
The Kreuzeckbahn cableway (large cabins) travels from Garmisch up the Kreuzeck (1,650 m/5,415ft) and has fine views, particularly of the nearby Alpspitze.
Werdenfelser Regional Museum
The Werdenfelser Regional Museum in Garmisch presents an illustrative history of the last 2000 years of the Werdenfelser region. Located in a 17th century house, the museum highlights folk exhibits based on a private collection that was donated in 1895.
Schachen Hunting Castle
A three hour hike from Elmau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen will take you to Schachen Hunting Castle - the hunting lodge of Ludwig II.
Graseckbahn Cableway
The Graseckbahn cableway goes from the entrance to the Partnachklamm, southeast of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, to the Alpenhotel Forsthaus Graseck (903 m/2,963ft).
Richard Strauss Days
The annual five day Richard Strauss Festival takes place in early June and pays tribute to the composer who died in Garmisch in 1949. The events range from orchestral and chamber concerts, to vocal and piano recitals to lectures on the famous German. There are usually seven performances each year, by highly-acclaimed international musicians. The venues are equally impressive and include Werdenfels Festival Hall, Richard Strauss Hall and the Olympic Ski Stadium.
