Munich itself does not have its own World Heritage Site, but you don’t have to travel far to marvel at some. Bavaria is home to 14 such sites, including Regensburg’s old town and Augsburg’s water management system. But even away from the big cities, you’ll find UNESCO gems just waiting to be discovered. One of them has been located in a small resort in the Pfaffenwinkel region on the border with the Allgäu for more than 270 years.
Enchanting Rococo church
Photo: Christel/Pixabay
Steingaden probably doesn’t mean anything to most of you. This state-recognized resort is located about 90 minutes by car from Munich and has less than 3,000 inhabitants. The Wieskirche church is located in the village of Wies, which is part of the municipality of Steingaden. It was built between 1746 and 1754 as a result of a pilgrimage during which the statue of the Scourged Savior was venerated in the local monastery. Later, this statue became the property of a farmer whose wife believed she saw tears in the Savior’s eyes. This marked the beginning of the pilgrimage, which received the blessing of the Church.
The Wieskirche therefore bears the official name Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Savior on the Wies andis considered the magnum opus of the brothers Johann Baptist and Dominikus Zimmermann from Wessobrunn. They built the church in the Rococo style and created a true work of art. This came at a price: the construction cost was originally estimated at 39,000 guilders, but ultimately exceeded this by a multiple, reaching 180,000 guilders.
In return, Steingaden can now call a magnificent Rococo church its own, which was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. It is richly decorated with stucco and cornices, has several impressive altars and detailed paintings. From the outside, it is white and pink, while the interior is colorful with rich gold decorations. Concerts are held regularly in the Wieskirche, which you can visit.
Other architectural gems in Steingaden
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In addition to the Wieskirche, there are other beautiful buildings in Steingaden. At first glance, the Welfenmünster seems less impressive than the Wieskirche, but inside it is just as richly decorated and painted. The Romanesque basilica is part of the Steingaden monastery and underwent Baroqueization in the 17th and 18th centuries. Together with the Wieskirche, the Welfenmünster is considered one of the most important sights in the entire Pfaffenwinkel region.
Steingaden also has two other pilgrimage churches where you can admire ornate stucco work and detailed paintings. In addition, the Wieskirche is home to the Pilgrimage Museum, which tells you more about the Brotherhood of the Scourged Savior and pilgrimage in Steingaden. You can learn more about the history of the church in general at the monastery museum in the parish courtyard. If, after visiting all the churches, you long for a change of scenery and some nature, you can take a detour to the Upper Lindegger Lake. It is located about one kilometer from the Wieskirche in a popular hiking area and nestles picturesquely in the green landscape.