There must be something in the water along Lake Starnberg in the Upper Bavarian town of Berg (Starnberg). Maybe it’s the Upper Bavarian sunshine? Whatever it is, it attracts (or did attract) some of the most creative minds in Germany.
Berg is home to many of Germany’s actresses, football players, singers, politicians, and writers. So, if you’re not from around these parts, chances are you could be rubbing elbows with some of Germany’s celebrated folks, and not even know it.
I pay little attention to these things, preferring to see Berg’s historical significance.
One famous resident was none other than mad King Ludwig II. You remember him, don’t you? He built the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
His summer palace, the Schloss Berg, is where his body washed ashore under mysterious circumstances on June 13, 1886.
At the site of where his body was found a small chapel was erected. It’s known as the Votive Chapel; and there’s a wooden cross there as well.
Sorry, you can’t visit the schloss; it’s home to the Duke of Bavaria; and only part of the castle’s park is open to the general public.
Did I mention that it’s King Ludwig III’s grandson that lives here in Berg? Oh, I guess I just did.
Another famous person that came from Berg am Starnberger See was writer Oskar Maria Graf, who was born in the village of Santa Maria (where you can see his house). His books got the attention of the Nazis during the 1930’s, which they tried to burn.
He eventually went on to live in the USA, where he died in 1967. He is interred in a cemetery in Munich.
The mad king and a 20th century writer isn’t why you’re here, is it? No, you want to see Lake Starnberg, don’t you?
You better be staying for a while, because there’s a lot to do. Sailing is the biggest sport on the lake; but there’s also diving, canoeing, water skiing, and fishing. Land lubbers will appreciate the 46km circular hiking (or cycling) trail that rides around the shore.
Come to think of it… Perhaps it’s the tales spun by the curious demise of one of Germany’s most famous kings; or all the fun you can have here in Berg that keeps bringing everyone to this part of Upper Bavaria.
