Tegernsee

Tegernsee: In the Lap of Bavarian Alps

The gorgeous coasts of Tegernsee are truly one of kind. The place offers peace and tranquility for not just the body but to the soul. The coasts of Tegernsee is one of the most luxurious properties in all of Germany. It was Maximilian the first’s attraction that led many important people and artists to come and live here. Today the magic has still not faded.

What makes the town of Tegernsee stand out, is that it has something to offer everyone. From its wooded shores to its peaking mountains, Tegernsee is the perfect holiday destination. Beer lovers are drawn to this place as they have some of the best breweries in the whole of Europe.

Tegernsee can be easily accessed by the road, on the Bundesstraße 307. The 9559 bus links almost all the places surrounding Lake Tegernsee. There is also a railway station that is linked to Munich. Many pleasure boat services operated by the Bayerische Seenschiffahrt, holds Tegernsee as one of their principal stops.

History

The oldest immigrants in the area of Tegernsee dates back to the early stone age. These settlers lived in the area around the lake and were known as Illyrians. However, the presence of the recorded history came forward with the coming of the Bavarians. The Bavarians came to this place in the sixth century AD. This region along with the entire Duchy of Bavaria was ruled by the family of Agilofings.

In 746, Tegernsee’s Benedictine Abbey was instituted. This was done by the two brothers of the noble family of Huosi, Ottokar, and Adalbert. The abbey’s name has been derived from the Old High German term which translates into English as ‘enormous lake’. Due to the Magyar invasions, much of the place’s history still remains unidentified. However, it is known for sure that the relics of St. Quirinus were the first to be positioned in the Church. These relics were obtained by the brothers from Pope Paul the first in the eighth century and were relocated here from Rome.

The monastery had a lot of power under its wings and during the middle ages, it was responsible for some of the major progresses that were undertaken in the Southern Bavarian region. However, the monastery fell into deterioration following a series of routs incurred due to the Magyars. The monastery was secularized in 921 and re-established in 979 by Duke Otto the first of Bavaria and Emperor Otto the second. The emperor soon appointed a new head and granted election rights of the head, imperial protection, and tax freedom. The abbey regained its affluence once it was removed from the powerful clutches of the Bavarian rulers. The abbey soon grew artistically and culturally.

Ruodlieb, a German Romance portraying knightly adventures, was most certainly written in this very abbey in 1030. Friedrich the first, the Holy Roman Emperor, had once visited the abbey in 1165. During the fifteenth century, the world renowned Nicolas of Cusa had agreed with the abbey for the study of issues such as mystical theology.

Unlike the other Bavarian regions, Tegernsee suffered less from the hardships of war due to its naturally protected position. However, during the Thirty Years’ War, the abbey did suffer due to the Black Death. The Wittelsbachs, the royal family of Bavaria, acquired this property and had made this as their summer residence. It is said that this procurement resulted in an upsurge of tourism in the area as the court life would fascinate many tourists to the place.

The war of Australian Succession, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Second World War did amount to create a considerable damage to the town’s peace and beauty. During the Second World War, the buildings in the abbey served the purpose of a military hospital.

During the last weeks of the Second World War, the SS division advanced towards the valley in order to protect it against the American forces. However in a fierce gun battle, the Major of the SS army swayed his forces to withdraw. He himself, wearing his uniform and unarmed, carrying a white flag, convinced the commanding officer of the American forces to spare the town.

Geography

Tegernsee lies on the eastern side of the Tegernsee Lake. It falls in the Bavarian Alps under the Miesbach district. The neighboring places would include Gmund am Tegernsee to the northern side along with Hausham. To the east lies the Schliersee, while to the south is Rottach Egern. The capital state of Bavaria, Munich, is about 31 miles or 50 kilometers away from the town. Tyrol, the Austrian state is about 12 miles or 20 kilometers to the south.

The water body that runs through the town of Tegernsee include the Alpbach stream. The Rotach River partially flows along the boundaries of both Tegernsee and Rottach Egern. The Baumgartenschneid, a thousand meters long mountain, is located close to the town.

According to the census, Tegernsee has a population of just about four thousand people.

Tourist Attractions

•  Benedictine Monastery

Look towards the eastern shore of the Lake Tegernsee and you can spot Tegernsee town the home of the large Benedictine Monastery. This monastery was founded in the eighth century AD. This served as one of the most fecund cultural centers in the South of Germany. One of the most famous lyric poet, Walther von der Vogelweide, was a steady guest to the monastery.

However, the monastery did suffer a lot of damage at the hands of the Magyar invaders during the tenth century. It was during the Middle Ages that the monastery prospered in art and culture. The place during the middle ages produced stained glass windows which became an active business. During the sixteenth century, this place was a major center of printing.

Two important events occurred in the monastery during the eighteenth century. Firstly, the place was redesigned from its late Gothic architecture to Italian Baroque style. Secondly, it was here that the Wittelsbach dynasty’s heirs got married.

Look carefully at the walls and one can notice the beautiful frescoes painted. These frescoes were made by Hans Georg Asam. His works can also be seen in the Bavarian monastery of Benediktbeuren.

Secularization of the monastery played an important part in preserving its heritage. Secularization meant that the monastery would be protected from the devastations that many wars brought to the lands of Germany and Bavaria. However, during the nineteenth century, the monastery did undergo a considerable amount of destruction. To its aid came Maximilian the first, who bought the surviving parts. He then commanded Leo von Klenze to revamp the entire monastery so that he could use it as a summer sanctuary.

Today the monastery is still used by the Wittelsbach family and thus most of the parts are closed to the general public. However, there is a high school within the premises of the Benedictine Monastery. The Church, a brewery, and a beer hall are the only places in the monastery that are open to the public. If you are here do try a liter-size mug of the famous Tergernseer Helles, or the Spezial beer.

• Hiking Path of Grosses Paraplui

When the Czar Alexander the first of Russia along with Emperor Franz the first were on a journey to the Congress of Verona in 1821, they stopped at Tegernsee. Maximilian the first then showed off this portion of the land to the two. A small plaque during the hike would inform you the very same spot where the three stood admiring the beauty of Tegernsee and its mountains.

What makes this hike interesting is that you can follow the footsteps of these great men. It is a well-marked hike and is only one and a half mile or two and a half kilometers long. The starting point of the hike is opposite to Schlossplatz in Tegernsee. You can walk through the forests of Grosses Paraplui. This is one of the most beautiful vantage points to look the majestic Bavaria.

• The Olaf Gulbransson Museum

This museum in Tegernsee is dedicated to Olaf Gulbrannson, the famous Norwegian painter. Olaf had gone to Munich and functioned as a caricaturist. He then worked for Simplicissimus, a satirical magazine. His famous caricatures and various satirical works depict politicians and snobbish upper-class people, to name a few. The building is set back from the main lake side road and is placed in a rather discreet location.

• Tegernseer Golfclub

Swimming, skiing, and hiking are the famous sports associated with Tegernsee. However, golfing too finds a place within the town. The Tegernseer Golfclub has an eighteen-hole course in the Bad Wiessee valley. This place appears stunning as it overlooks the lake with the majestic mountains behind.

• Wallberg Hiking

For the best panoramic view of the valley, one can climb up the Wallberg Mountain. This five thousand seven hundred foot mountain lies at the southern end of Tegernsee. Mind you, this is not an easy hike. It takes almost four hours to reach the summit. However, if you feel tired or lazy, there is always the option of taking a fifteen-minute long cable car up.

At the top of this mountain, you can relish the gorgeous view of the valley in a restaurant or a sun terrace. During winters, this place is best suited for skiing.

Around the Tegernsee town

 Tegernsee Lake

The Tegernsee Lake is situated in South Germany in the Bavarian region. This is a Zungenbecken lake which means that it has a tongue basin. About thirty-one miles of the area around the lake is used for recreational activities.

The lake is about four miles in length and .87 miles in width. It encompasses an area of almost nine square kilometers. The depth of the lake is about 238 ft. The lake flows into the River Mangfall. This river is the tributary of the Inn River.

The famous places on and around the lake include Tegernsee, Bad Wiesse, Rottach-Egern, Kreuth, and Gmund.

• Bad Wiesse

Bad Wiesse is placed in the Upper Bavaria in the district of Miesbach. It has been a spa town since 1922. It is situated on the west shore of the Tegernsee Lake. The word ‘bad’ stands for ‘baths’. ‘Wiessee’ is translated as ‘western part of the lake’.

• Kreuth

Kreuth is a place in the Miesbach district of Bavaria, Germany. If you are here don’t miss out on the Schloss Ringberg or the Castle Ringberg and the Wildbad Kreuth.

• Gumund am Tegernsee

Gumund am Tegernsee is a place in the Miesbach district in Bavaria, Germany. This place is located on the northern shore of the Lake Tegernsee. If you are here don’t miss out on the Town Hall, St. Aegidius Church and the Kaltenbrunn Estate.

• Rottach Egern

This is a place in the Miesbach district of Bavaria, Germany. This place has a lot of opportunity for the hiker in you.