As it so happens, sometimes I get so excited about what to see that I get all tongue-tied. Wait, how’s that work on when I’m actually typing?
Never mind, I just got all flustered when I found one of the prettiest monastery churches in the town of Schäftlarn.
What amazed me the most, was Kloster Schäftlarn was founded more than twelve hundred years ago — right up until it was “dissolved” in 1803. It reopened again in the 1860s, becoming a school — and remains that way to this very day.
But, it wasn’t the monastery that got me all ga-ga — it was the marvelous Rococo church decorated by Johann Baptist Zimmermann (he worked on the famous Wieskirche in Steingaden), one of the most famous Rococo artists of his day. It’s gardens are also particularly amazing, and it seems like you could lose yourself forever in them.
To make your stay in Schäftlarn even better, six times a year the monastery holds concerts of Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music. And if you get tired after a long day, you’re more than welcome to stay at the Klostergasthof — a minimalist, yet comfortable, accommodation at the Monastery Guesthouse.
I, however, did not join a religious order — so I set out to find something more than just the town’s monastery. What I found was a Weekly Market (on Thursdays at the Bahnhofplatz), and the Heimathaus to learn more of the town’s history. There was also the Forstenrieder Park, a nature preserve area that was once the hunting grounds of the powerful Wittelsbach family.
The best part? I wasn’t but a few towns over from the city of Munich. Who knew you’d find a fabulous forest and a tiny treasure so close to the big city? And for being as small as it is (just over 16 square kilometers), it’s got a fair share of festivals and other cultural events.
Right at the end of August is the best time to come if you like the idea of the town’s Weinfest, and the Kloster plays host to the annual Christkindlmarkt.
Chances are you’ll think Schäftlarn is really wonderful, too. I just hope you don’t get all tongue-tied telling everyone about your trip. ;-)
