37. Beautiful Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden [bear ch tess garden] lies at the eastern foot of the German Alps and is one of the most panoramic towns in Germany. I was fortunate to spend 6 months there in 1975-76 and have revisited the town twice since. Little has changed over the years.
Berchtesgaden itself lies in the heart of the Berchtesgadener Land and has a population of approximately 7800 people. There are many scenic villages lying on the outskirts of the town and the main ones are Schönau, Unterau, Oberau, Markt Schellenberg, Ramsau and Maria Gern.
Perhaps the most striking geographic aspect of the area is the majestic Watzmann Mountain towering over the town at 2713 metres and as such, is Germany's third highest mountain peak. The town is in effect squeezed between numerous mountain tops which all add to its beauty. The Obersalzberg [oh ber zults bear k ... lit. upper salt mountain], once the site of numerous Nazi chiefs' holiday retreats including Hitler's as well, looms over the town. In these mountains further to the east on the road to nearby Salzburg is the famous Kehlsteinhaus (referred to as the Eagles Nest) which may be visited in summer months. From here the tourist gets a dramatic view over the town with the Watzmann in the background. At the foot of the Obersalzberg is the old salt mine which is open to tourists. This is certainly worth a trip that takes you down into the mine on a railway track, across a salt lake on a barge and at one point down a large and steep wooden slippery slide, all the while dressed in your miners' clothing. Photos are taken at the bottom of the slide and testify to the thrill of the ride.
Skiing attracts numerous tourists to the region (try a trip from the Rossfeld down through farms to Unterau and catch the Postbus back up to the ski field or the more challenging Jenner), but without doubt the most important tourist attraction is the Königssee [kern ich zay = king's lake]. From the village wharf on this incredibly beautiful lake at the foot of the Watzmann, the tourist can take a boat ride (electric powered only) across the lake to the Sankt Bartholomä church. If you are lucky, one of the local musicians will play the Königssee Echo for you on his trumpet providing you with an unforgettable memory. The Rodelbahn [roh dell barn] (bobsled track) lies not too far from the village where many German winter Olympians train. The lake freezes over in winter as do many of the lakes in the area. The lake is about 320 mts. at its deepest point.
One of the highlights for me is the Christmas / New Year festivity. The township is decked out in traditional white lights and the local shooting clubs 'hold a meeting' on both occasions that a friend once described as 'World war Three". The Weihnachtsschützen [vie nar chts sh ooh teen] = christmas shooters trot out their Böller (guns loaded with powder only) and fire off numerous rounds in patterns determined by their leader. All through the afternoon well into the night, the hills are alive with the sounds of the guns from many different vantage points assumed by the clubs.
One last memory ... I never thought I would spend midnight in a cemetery. In the heart of the town, the cemetery lies right next to the local church and the graves are bedecked with candles and all manner Christmas decorations. Spending midnight in a cemetery in a light snowfall left an indelible mark in my mind. The local Oktoberfest had a different but also memorable effect. Give Berchtesgaden a try some time - you will thank me for it. My wife at the start of a month long trip didn't want to leave!
Perhaps the most striking geographic aspect of the area is the majestic Watzmann Mountain towering over the town at 2713 metres and as such, is Germany's third highest mountain peak. The town is in effect squeezed between numerous mountain tops which all add to its beauty. The Obersalzberg [oh ber zults bear k ... lit. upper salt mountain], once the site of numerous Nazi chiefs' holiday retreats including Hitler's as well, looms over the town. In these mountains further to the east on the road to nearby Salzburg is the famous Kehlsteinhaus (referred to as the Eagles Nest) which may be visited in summer months. From here the tourist gets a dramatic view over the town with the Watzmann in the background. At the foot of the Obersalzberg is the old salt mine which is open to tourists. This is certainly worth a trip that takes you down into the mine on a railway track, across a salt lake on a barge and at one point down a large and steep wooden slippery slide, all the while dressed in your miners' clothing. Photos are taken at the bottom of the slide and testify to the thrill of the ride.
Skiing attracts numerous tourists to the region (try a trip from the Rossfeld down through farms to Unterau and catch the Postbus back up to the ski field or the more challenging Jenner), but without doubt the most important tourist attraction is the Königssee [kern ich zay = king's lake]. From the village wharf on this incredibly beautiful lake at the foot of the Watzmann, the tourist can take a boat ride (electric powered only) across the lake to the Sankt Bartholomä church. If you are lucky, one of the local musicians will play the Königssee Echo for you on his trumpet providing you with an unforgettable memory. The Rodelbahn [roh dell barn] (bobsled track) lies not too far from the village where many German winter Olympians train. The lake freezes over in winter as do many of the lakes in the area. The lake is about 320 mts. at its deepest point.
One last memory ... I never thought I would spend midnight in a cemetery. In the heart of the town, the cemetery lies right next to the local church and the graves are bedecked with candles and all manner Christmas decorations. Spending midnight in a cemetery in a light snowfall left an indelible mark in my mind. The local Oktoberfest had a different but also memorable effect. Give Berchtesgaden a try some time - you will thank me for it. My wife at the start of a month long trip didn't want to leave!
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| Pension overlooking Berchtesgaden & Alps |
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