What I learned about the Upper Bavarian town of Wartenberg is there’s also a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft of the same name — thus tripling its population, and its awesomeness. All this goes to show is whether you want the town, or the Collective Municipality, you’re truly in for a treat.
I’d say your eyes are in for the most delight, as the views from atop where the old Jagdschloss Wittelsbach once stood, are outstanding. Scattered around the old castle grounds are a bunch of Memorial Columns; even if you can’t read them they’re still beautiful.
As is the stunning medieval Chapel of St. Nicholas, that’s also up on the mountainside. Fantastic, yes? I’d say so. Which is also the word I’d use to describe the Church of St. Ulrich, another medieval gem built some time in the late 12th century — making it over 800 years old.
For the rest of Wartenberg (this time the Collective Municipality), Langenpreising is a must-see. Located just 20km east of the Munich Airport, this village couldn’t be any further from urban sprawl. It’s a town of small hamlets, and home to a pretty late Gothic Pfarrkirche (Parish Church) dedicated to St. Martin.
You really should come see its three other churches, by the way. One built in the late 17th century (St. Peter’s), while the Church of St. Exaltation came along in the 1750s, but it’s the Church of St. Stephen that’s the oldest — constructed way back when Romanesque architecture was all the rage in Europe.
Between you and me, I think Berlern is my favorite of Wartenberg’s villages. What? Nothing personal to the other towns — I’m sure you’ll have yours — perhaps it’s Berglern’s Old World vibe that made me love it so much.
Nah, I’m pretty sure it’s all its old churches, although there wasn’t a medieval one amongst them.
Wait, I take that back… The Church of St. Andrew’s modern day building (1678) was built around its medieval core. And over at Kirchplatz 2 is the Pfarrkirche of Sts. Peter & Paul, an onion domed church from the 1730s, that does have Gothic architecture beginnings.
Would you rather hike off into the wilderness? That can be arranged, ya know. A good bit of Wartenberg is wooded, and parts of Berglern lies within a nature reserve area.
Ahhh, maybe this was why Berglern was my favorite. Looking forward to hearing which town of Wartenberg is yours…
