Mittenwald Things to Do

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This 18th century church was a treat to visit. Designed by architect Josef Schmuzer, the exterior is a feast for the eyes with its painted bell tower; but the tower is a bit deceptive of the stunning Baroque interior of this little parish church! I go into many churches on my travels and it takes a really unique one to stand out in my mind – the Mittenwald Pfarrkirche is just that kind of church.

Upon entering, the signs were clear that they did not want photos taken inside the church, so I refrained (it was hard!). The white with gilded altar and the colored marble columns were beautiful. There were a number of statues and a side altar that you wouldn’t expect in a small parish church.

Be sure to look up at the ceiling frescoes – there are several smaller paintings but the center circular fresco stands out with its portrayal of the crucifixion of St. Peter.

Once outside again, we stopped to admire the statue of Matthias Klotz, the local boy who put Mittenwald on the map with his violin making. His legacy of violin making that gave the town its wealth is demonstrated in the rich interior of the church.

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When I first saw the Pink Catholic Saint Peter and Paul Church, I couldn't help but stand in amazement at the beauty of it. Walking up the street, I could see the Luftlmalerei painted Tower, and then the Church came into sight. Built in the Rococo style, between 1738 – 1740, this church is full of frescoes inside and out.
It was painted by students of Matthaus Gunther, a famous Bavarian church and frescoe painter of the 17th century.
Now, after taking all that in, it was time to go inside. Wow! It was just as beautiful as the outside! Dome frescoes inside, show the church’s patrons Sts. Peter and Paul. .

Guided tours take place every Monday at 5.15 p.m. (1 hour) from the middle of May until the end of September.
It also hosts an organ festival during late summer.

Known as one of the finest Churches in the Bavarian Alp's.

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Mittenwald has often been called "A living, open, picture book"

Once we arrived and starting walking the old town, I could fully understand the saying.
The majority of buildings in the Old Town have Luftlmalerei. Look left, look right, it is everywhere! The building's either had luftlmalerei on the history, religion - often on the torment's of hell, piety and dissolution, fire, floods, and everyday scenes on the area and its people. I just walked and walked, and as I saw a new building, then I headed to it, and so on, and so on. I think I covered most of the old town, I was very happy with what I saw.

It is a must to wander a bit further afield than the main tourist drag.

I wish this was available when I was there, as I would like to know more.
In Summer, special guided tours are offered from the tourist information (2 hours)
Every Thursday at 10.00 a.m. 3.00 euros for owners of a tourist pass.

Kleiner Park in Mittenwald is a very nice, well kept park, located across the road from the Rathaus.
The Rathaus is where the Tourist information centre is located.

We were able to find a car park easily in the street, and from here, it is only a short walk to the old town.
The Park has lawn, flowers, park benches and a Maypole worth having a look at.

When wandering around the historic old towns, I always make sure I look up. Lots of these towns have interesting wrought iron signs advertising their business, and here in Mittenwald, my favorite was the Bootmaker/shoe shop. See the photo.

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The St. Peter and Paul Church is Mittenwald's man-made focal point rising up from the Obermarkt pedestrian area even if paling in comparison to the peaks that ring the town. It is nonetheless a colorful pastel stunner that is best photographed from afar due to the narrow streets that surround it as well as to offset its simple beauty against the jagged peaks that Mittenwald is more renowned for. Its interior is typical Baroque extravagance with lots of gold and statues rising seemingly to the heavens.

Built in the mid-1700s, its tower features a colorful Lüftmalerei by Matthias Günther who also did the church's interior.

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Mittenwald is a story-book alpine mountain village despite it not being in Switzerland. In fact, it's every bit as pretty as any number of similar towns in that more noted alps-laden country. Quite in the same vein, buildings are painted with colorful murals depicting everyday life laced with an undercurrent of Christian overtones. No matter your religious orientation, they make for nice eye candy when strolling the town's quaint streets and set off particularly well against the more inspiring of the divine peaks that rise around Mittenwald higher and more mightily than any man-made fortress walls ever built.

This style of decoration typical of southern Bavaria and is an example of Lüftmalerei from the 17th century. It was derived from Italian trompe l'oeil painting of which Franz Zwinck is the most famous exponent. His house in Oberammergau was named Zum Lüftl, apparently where the style's name comes from.

As it turns out, Mittenwald is not only a Mecca for alpine pleasures but also for violin makers. A recognized by law market town as early as the13th century, it became such an important stop on the route between Venice and Augsburg that an overnight break was made mandatory and thus sprang the production of some popular items of the time, one of which were stringed instruments. Of course, it did not hurt that there was a preponderance of good quality wood in the area and the Klotz family was the first of a line of violin makers to give Mittenwald a lasting name in violin production. There are still quite a few violin artisans in town and a small museum for those interested in learning about their production and a more in depth history of Mittenwald's role in it.

The Geigenbaumuseum is open from 10 till 5 daily except Mondays and cost €4.50. We unfortunately were only in town for about 24 hours and with such great weather we prefered to enjoy the mountains but hopefully we'll get there again one day.