Bavaria consistently does it over and over again. I don’t know how and I’m certainly not going to argue why. But, you know exactly what I’m talking about when you come to Dießen am Ammersee.
Certainly the best place to start off any stay in Dießen would be right at Bahnhofstr. 12, which is where you’ll find the town’s Tourist Information Center. They’ll hook you up with all the information you need for a fishing license or help enroll you in school.
Enroll in school? That’s right! Not only can you rent a sailboat, you can take classes on how to properly sail them. Pretty cool, yes? Hey, this is the Ammersee!
There are also a bazillion other things you could be doing out on the water; like surfing, swimming, fishing (oh yeah, I said that), and just lounging on the water’s edge catching some rays (don’t forget sunscreen).
That’s only the half of it here in Dießen. You have to (read: HAVE TO, HAVE TO) see the Dießener Marienmünster which will send you into sensory overload. Seriously. The interior of this former monastery church will have you utterly amazed with its painted ceilings and gold & marble accents. I don’t think I can ever get over how much detail was put into this church.
The church was once part of the Augustinerchorherrenstift (that was rough typing it — let alone trying to say it), which originated way back in the 9th century. The monastery once housed both men and women; and really came into its own around 1150.
The monastery might be gone but, the church still hold services, it’s also where the annual obligatory Christmas Market is held on the first weekend of Advent.
Other festivals and markets in town include the Dießener Töpfermarkt on Christ Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), the Well Celebration, and a huge Flea Market on the second Sunday in August. Don’t mix that market with Market Sunday that falls on the third Sunday in September. Every two years in mid-September brings on British Week. Blimey, a bit of Britain in the bosom of Bavaria! :-)
