Rottenbuch Things to Do Tips by globetrott

Wies-kirche, just about 20 Km from Rottenbuch

Once that you are in Rottenbuch, and in case you like that kind of " Bavarian Baroque " - churches, why not making a short stop in WIES ??

Wies - Kirche is one of the most famous examples of Baroque Churches in Bavaria...
...and there are also just a very few houses around the church, some meadows and sheep and a lot of great landscape....

Directions: First take road 23 to the south and turn to the right, direction Steingaden. Follow the plenty of signs for " Wies "

watch out for the side-altars

Also have a look for the many side-altars and niches all over the church.

It is amazing to see that such a big and fully ornamented church was built into such a remote and small village.

But in Bavaria many churches of that kind exist, some even totally outside of any village, and thousends of pilgrims get there each month.

Directions: Inside the church on the right

How to get to Rottenbuch

Rottenbuch is just a rather small village between Schongau and Oberammergau.
Simply follow road Nr. 23 from Schongau and you will pass by the church, that you may see already from far away by it's funny spire.

From OUTside the church looks just like any other church of a small village, BUT have a look INside as well !!!

Click on the pic, in order to see the little MAP, that I have made !

Directions: Take raod Nr. 23 from Schongau or Oberammergau

the organ

Take also a closer look for the great organ and it's surrounding sculptures.

In the back of the church you will find some brochures, explaining all the details about the artists and architects of this great church.

They also have an "audiophone", where you get some spoken infos after putting in some coins.

Directions: Inside the church

No entrance-fee, open untill 07.00 p.m.

It is so convenient to stop by and have a short break in Rottenbuch, as the church will be open all day untill around 07.00 p.m. or even later in summertime.
No entrancefee or other restrictions except the ropes of the alarm.

Have a look for the great ornaments on the staircase up to the pulpit.

Directions: Inside the church, on the back of the pulpit

the pulpit

The pulpit shows great sculptures of the 4 evangelists, made by Franz Xaver Schmädl, who also made the sculptures around the organ and the main altar.

He finished in 1760.

Directions: Inside the church on the left

the alarm might get nervous

Inside the church you will quickly see all the ropes, restricting visitors into certain areas only, otherwise there will be an alarm.

That alarm is a bit nervous, or maybe a bird was flying inside the church, while I was there togeather with some other visitors, who obviously also did not go beyond the security lines...

It made quite some noise all over the village, BUT nobody seemed to care at all, nobody showed up and the alarm was running for a very long time.

Directions: Inside the church

The sidewalls

also the sidewalls have great ornaments and paintings.

Franz Xaver Schmädl built the main altar, but it was not easy to get a close picture of it, as the security-bars of the alarm made it impossible to get any closer.

Directions: Inside the church

the church is overloaded with paintings

This church is overloaded with ornaments and paintings on all the walls and ceilings, and the gothic elements are to be seen only at a few places now.

Johann Schmuzer and his son Franz-Xaver rebuilt the church in Baroque style from 1737-1745

Directions: the ceiling of the church

the Augustinian monastery

The monastery was founded in 1073 A.D. and the church was rebuilt in the 15th century.

During the 17th century all the signs of the gothic architecture were rebuilt and changed into a Baroque interior.

That's the way it still looks today.

Directions: Inside the church