Our suggestion of a car ride to magnificent Baroque Churches and monastaries starting at our b&b in Diessen.

Bavaria would be highly deprived culturally today if the Baroque period had not originated from the building craze which had infected worldly architects and ecclesiastic rulers in the 18th century.
This one-day tour will only allow a glimpse at few of these marvels: The Gnadenkapelle in Hohenpeissenberg, the Pilgrimage Church in the Wies, the mighty monastery of Ettal and the 8th century monastery in Benediktbeuren
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Heading south of Diessen towards the Alps, passing lonely meadows and wooden farm houses, we soon reach Hohenpeissenberg, from where we have a gigantic view over the Lechtaler Alps and the Karwendel. The Gnadenkapelle (chapel of mercy) with frescos of Mathew Guenther painted in 1747 is not very large. A jewel in a quiet alpine surrounding.

Our next stop: The pilgrimage church in the Wies, a creation of the famous architect Dominikus Zimmermann, built around 1750. The light-flooded interior was decorated by the most famous south-German stuccoworkers and painters. The church in the middle of nowhere is incencevable without the piety and pilgrimages of the 18th century.

Not far from here an other demonstration of christian faith: The monastery of Ettal This church is one of the finest examples of Bavarian rococo architecture. Gold and silver gleam in every direction, and jewels encrust several of the main altars. Exquisite statues and paintings will take our breath away as we look around the walls and up at the high vaulted ceiling. The most priceless icon is a statue of the Madonna and Child above the main altar.


 

On the way back but still in the midst of the Alps lays the monastery of Benediktbeuren, dating back to the 8th century and thus the oldest Benedictine site north of the Alps. It was a flourishing cultural center in the Middle Ages. Most famous are the frescos painted by the father of the famous Asam brothers. It was here, in this ecclesiastical enclave, that the 12th century secular musical work, the Carmina Burana first appeared, later to become a popular 20th century work in a setting by Bavarian composer Carl Orff.

En route from one church to an other we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Alps, but we will also take a rest here, to buy some souvenirs or to taste regional food or drinks (beer and Enzian). This out-of- the-ordinary tour will let us forget the hectic of our everyday life.