ETTAL ABBEY
Baroque Monastery Basilica in Bavarian Alps
Situated in a narrow mountain valley of the Alpine Oberbayern foothills, on the road from Garmish to Oberammergau, one comes upon the Abbey of Ettal, a still active monastery and a magnificent example of Southern Bavarian Baroque style art and architecture (see Munich's Baroque
Churches) set against the jutting, rocky tree brushed slopes of the Alps. The Ettal Abbey and monastery was originally established in 1330 as a Benedictine Abbey by the German Emperor Louis IV, Duke of Bavaria, who was at odds with the Pope in Rome and his northern Italian city-state neighbors. The site was founded along the strategic route over the mountains between Italy and Augsburg. The castle-like church remained rather secluded until the 1700s when pilgrims brought more economy and a school, when the “Knights Academy” was established.
A devastating fire destroyed much of the earlier Gothic style abbey in 1744 and the façades and interiors of the Basilica were reconstructed in the ornate baroque style popular in Southern Germany at the time (see Cathedral
St Gallen). The 12 sided, double shell domed main hall is a glitter with gold and marble, with a spectacular dome ceiling and a near all gold gilt Pulpit, surrounded by 18th Century masterwork art.
The Ettal Madonna, with an honored place on the high altar, was brought from Italy, most probably from Pisa, by the emperor. It was said to be of miraculous nature and was the source of the 14th Century German Kaiser’s claim to Holy status. The Madonna was also the source of the pilgrims which supported the wealth of the area. The medieval abbey monastery housed the first monks and a community of knights similar in structure to the Teutonic Knights, and was constructed by artisans from a community of stone masons from the lodge at the Cathedral of Regensburg. The earlier Gothic style can still be found in the portal and the flying buttresses which support the main dome. The ornate confessionals of carved wood are a unique feature.
Visiting Ettal Abbey
Ettal is about an hour drive south from Munich in the heart of the largest nature reserve in Germany and on the route which takes you to Oberammergau or onward toward the castles palaces of “Mad” King Ludwig, Schloss Linderhof (see Mad Ludwig's Pleasure Palace) and Neuschwanstein (see German
King's Fantasy Castle). There is no cost to visit Ettal Abbey, though a donation is welcome. There is a shop of Ettal themed items and the monastery also has its own brewery and distillery, though in separate location from the Abbey. The region offers a variety of beautiful Alpine style hotels and bed & breakfasts. The Abbey has its own associated hotel, the Abbey Hotel Ludwig von Bayer across the street (see Kloster Hotel Ludwig Von Bayer), with many other small villages to discover in this popular touring area.. © Bargain
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SEE ALSO:
CASTLE ART MUSEUM IN BAVARIAN ALPS
MUNICH ENGLISCHERGARTEN
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TOUR WALK AROUND MUNICH'S MARIENPLATZ
BACH MUSEUM BAROQUE MASTER LEIPZIG
