The beautiful village of Berchtesgaden is often overlooked by tourists, but it has plenty of interesting places to visit. All the main attractions are listed below to help you decide on the most interesting objects to visit. There are plenty of World War II sights and historical sites, breathtaking views and nooks and crannies to make your entire vacation perfect. For a more interesting journey, the sights of the city of Berchtesgaden with photos and descriptions are presented.
The city is located in the area known as Berchtesgaden Land, on a small peninsula in Germany, in the Alps near Salzburg. The remote southeastern town has been a separate country for most of its history. It was ruled by a church priest, and then by a prince, later the country was annexed to the kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century.
Let's take a closer look at the sights of Berchtesgaden.
Eagle's Nest
Along with the best panoramic views inGermany, the Eagle's Nest is the main attraction of Berchtesgaden. It rises to a height of almost 1 km, and on a clear day you can see up to 200 km around you! The entire project of the Eagle's Nest, from the mountain road to the alpine cottage at the top, was to be a gift for Hitler's 50th birthday in 1939. This was no small feat, since the construction of the winding road required the work of 3,000 people around the clock in hazardous conditions. The 6-kilometer road took 13 months to build, and the mountaintop house was completed a year earlier in 1938. Its interior was rich and refined, and the Italian dictator Mussolini made a gift with an expensive fireplace. Photos of Berchtesgaden landmarks are truly amazing.
At the moment there is a cozy restaurant with an impressive view of the Alps. Here you can explore a large number of rooms, drink and eat as Hitler and Eva Braun once did, who often held banquets and invited foreign guests.
The panorama of the Alps is incredible and on a clear day you can even see the City of Salzburg. Even when it's foggy, moving clouds give a strange feeling. The site has a pseudo-medieval feel, with thick granite walls and heavy ceilings, now a modern version of a mountain fortress.
Royal Lake (Königssee)
Royal Lake is an angelic emerald and clear sea bay, which is also called a fjord. It is surrounded by the mighty Alpine mountains, and notceases to amaze its visitors. Located in the valley between the mountains Jenner, Hagen and Watzmann, Königssee is the deepest lake in Bavaria with a depth of 110 meters. Rare species of fish swim in the crystal clear waters of the 8 km long lake, and local restaurants use only fresh and high-quality seafood because of this.
The purity of the water is partly due to the fact that gas engines have been banned on the lake since 1909. Tours of the lake take place on vintage electric passenger ferries that move quietly past lazy boats, roaring waterfalls and towering mountains. Every minute of the journey is scenic and very relaxing. In winter, the sights of Berchtesgaden are especially mesmerizing.
During the excursion program you will find yourself in the peculiar White Church of St. Bartholomew with its red onion-shaped domes, which is the most photographed attraction of Berchtesgaden on Lake Königssee. The church was built in 1134, in 1697 it acquired its present form. After joining Berchtesgaden to Bavaria, the Church of St. Bartholomew immediately became a hunting lodge for the Bavarian kings. The walk will also take you to the ice chapel, which is a year-round glacier with a natural cave. Heading further down the lake, a view of a section of the Obersee Bay opens up. This part of the lake is extremely beautiful with pristine clear waters, neat pasture and a large waterfall.
S alt Mine
Despite the fact that this historic s altthe mine was opened in 1517, s alt mining is still going on in Berchtesgaden! In the Middle Ages, this find helped the city rise to economic power along with other regional s alt centers of Salzburg, Hallein and Hallstatt. The tour will help you learn more about this fishery, show you the beauty of the underground lake and let you know about the unusual possibility of going down the old wooden slides 36 meters long. All this, of course, is complemented by the issuance of a special miner's overalls and travel by train to get unforgettable emotions and indescribable sensations.
The S alt Mine is a landmark in Berchtesgaden, which is the only and largest in the entire region and is open for tourists all year round.
Festivals and holidays
Like many small towns in Germany and Austria, Berchtesgaden is known for its fun and jubilant celebrations. Of course, everyone knows about such an event as Oktoberfest and May Day, but often residents like to spend something intriguing and original. Let's take a closer look at the existing and most common festivals.
May Day celebration
May Day is one of the happiest events of the year as it celebrates the fertility of spring. It begins with the opening of the maypole (maybaum), which can reach 15 meters in height. It is decorated with wreaths and often emblems of local crafts and industries.
From this holiday there are pleasant impressions about dances, music of a brass bandand a garden serving local cuisine and drinks. At this time, the cozy hotel Edelweiss will come in handy - as tourists come and want to feel completely safe and in harmony. Sometimes the main holiday is moved to the first Saturday in May.
Great Bavarian Evenings
On Monday evenings, original bands come to the Market Square in Berchtesgaden from June to September. They perform their songs and entertain guests, then live brass band music is played, people dance folk dances.
Oktoberfest
The first Oktoberfest took place because of the wedding of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and the Saxon Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. In the same year, Berchtesgaden officially joined Bavaria. Initially, people were accustomed to the autumn holiday Volkfest, it was celebrated for several hundred years, but the wedding celebration changed this event forever. Expect folk music, lots of performances in leather pants, lots of food and drink.
In Berchtesgaden, all the celebrations take place around the market square (Marktplatz), the lively beer hall Bräeustüeberl ("Hofbräuhaus"), Berchtesgaden's landmark national park and the huge beer tent at the railway station. The city may not be on par with the fourteen establishments in Munich that open for Oktoberfest, but you will feel more at home in this small village. If you have arrived without a folk costume, why not stop by the famous Lederhosen storeStangassinger at the Market Square, which specializes in handmade traditional Bavarian clothing.
Trachtenfest
On the second Sunday in July, get ready to hear a lot of gunshots at 6 am - this is the beginning of the holiday. The festival is meant to keep traditions alive in Berchtesgaden.
At 10 a.m. the big parade starts in the Finanzamte (next to the documentation center), then people go to the Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. John for the time of church services, and after the mass celebration they go to the largest beer hall "Breustüberl" "("Hofbrühaus").
Beer hall "Breustuberl"
The most fun meals in Germany and Austria take place in local beer halls. Those familiar with Munich's Hofbrühaus will definitely appreciate the beer hall in Berchtesgaden. The best alcoholic drinks and traditional food are served here, and you can always join noisy companies to sing karaoke songs. On Friday evenings, you can even watch folk dances. Tourists leave only positive reviews about the sights of Berchtesgaden.
Mount Jenner
Climbing almost 2 km in height, you can see a truly incredible view from the top of Mount Jenner. Below you will see such a Berchtesgaden landmark as the Royal Lake, and you can even notice hang gliders flying past you. During the summer, incredible mountain hiking trails are open in the mountains, andtourists go skiing in winter.
Be sure to visit the restaurant Berggaststätte Jennerbann, which is one of the most popular in all of Germany and has a large terrace overlooking the sea. The best views of the Königssee are on the main platform, just 400 meters from the restaurant. Another popular spot on the mountain is the spring lake, which does not freeze in winter and provides great photos of reflected mountain peaks.
