In Munich, we have many impressive places of worship, such as the Asam Church or the Frauenkirche. Both attract countless tourists every day who are captivated by their architecture. If you’re already quite familiar with both of these buildings and would like to discover something new, then you should become a tourist yourself and take a day trip to Baumburg Monastery. Its former monastery church, St. Margareta, makes a powerful impression both inside and out and is definitely worth a visit, along with the rest of the complex.
A History of Many Churches
Baumburg Abbey was founded at the beginning of the 12th century by Count Berengar I of Sulzbach at the request of his ailing wife. Previously, there had already been a monastery on the hill above Altenmarkt for a short time, which also had a church. With the founding of the new monastery, St. Nicholas Church was built first, before construction began on the Romanesque Basilica of St. Margaretha. It was consecrated in 1156 and was one of the largest of its kind in the region at that time. In the 17th century, onion domes were added to the basilica’s two towers, which still stand today.
To mark its 600th anniversary, the decision was made to rebuild the Baumburg monastery church in the Baroque style. The old building was demolished, and its successor was built from the ground up. Only the towers were spared, and they continue to define the silhouette of St. Margaret to this day. Thus, the Romanesque basilica was transformed into a Rococo gem that remains a major attraction in the Chiemgau region to this day.
St. Margaret Today
Since secularization, St. Margaret’s Church is no longer a monastery church but the parish church of Altenmarkt an der Alz. You can visit it on an outing and admire the building’s imposing onion domes for yourself. You can look into the interior of the church through a grille, from where you can view the magnificent stucco decorations. The ceiling is adorned with several detailed frescoes, depicting, among other things, the Assumption of Saint Augustine into Heaven. Above the choir, you’ll discover another fresco depicting Saint Margaret, after whom the church is named. Her image also hangs above the church’s entrance.
Baumburg Monastery itself is now privately owned and houses a seminar hotel. Some of the old buildings were demolished. However, the Baumburg Monastery Brewery still exists and continues to serve its beer to this day. Don’t miss the chance to try this traditional brew while you’re there. And here’s a fun fact to wrap things up: The 48th parallel runs right through the monastery grounds.
