Picturesque locations, dreamy castles, lush green covers, vintage streets—this is how one could describe Bavaria. Located in the south-east of Germany, this land-locked state has much more to offer than one can think of. The state is known for its unique culture, cuisine, traditions, festivals, and of course, architecture. The state offers a fruitful travel experience to every travel enthusiast in general, to an architect in particular.
Here is a list of 15 such places architects must visit in Bavaria:
1. Neuschwanstein Castle
With towers and spires touching the clouds, the fantasy-type, fairytale castle is set amongst the snow-covered alps, playing hide-and-seek in between the coniferous trees. Built by King Ludwig II, is intended to serve as a hideout place for the ‘mad king’, as he is known.
The castle is designed in a romantic eclectic architectural style, the castle is equipped with numerous towers, ornamental turrets, gables, balconies, pinnacles, and sculptures. It is heavily styled both on the exterior and interiors, a trip to Bavaria is incomplete without visiting this picture-perfect castle.
2. Linderhof Palace
Set amidst a huge landscaped garden, the Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three palaces in Bavaria. It has five main chambers- the Hall of mirrors, Eastern and western Tapestry chambers, the audience chamber, the dining room, and the bed-chamber.
The garden surrounding the palace is equally eye-catching as it combines the elements of Renaissance and Baroque landscaping ideologies, while some parts are similar to the English landscaping style.
3. Ettal Abbey
A Benedictine monastery located in the village of Ettal in Bavaria, it is one of the finest
examples of Baroque architecture. The interiors are heavily ornate and the pink-white marble walls add a touch of sophistication to the structure. The ceiling is covered with intricately painted murals and a chandelier hanging down from it completes the look just perfectly.
4. Marienplatz
Marienplatz is the central city square of Munich, the capital city of Bavaria. The main attraction is the sky-rocketing clock tower, the glockenspiel, a Neo-Gothic architectural piece. The city square is flanked by a stair-stepped façade of the Old Town Hall on one side, and the distinctive twin-domed towers of the Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of our Lady on the other. The monumental scale of the Neoclassical buildings is sure to leave one mesmerized, eyes refusing to peel away from the warmth that they offer.
5. Nuremberg Castle
Built on a sandstone ridge, the Nuremberg castle in Bavaria along with the fortified walls is considered one of the most intimidating medieval fortifications in all of Europe. With the huge sloping roofs and the stone courses being the major highlight, the small windows are a characteristic of Medieval European architecture.
6. Asam Church
Also known as St.Johann Nepomuk, Asam Church is a late-baroque architectural structure in Munich, Bavaria. The two-storied structure is built without order and the baroque facade is seamlessly weaved with houses of the Sendlingerstraße (major shopping street in Munich). The interiors are heavily ornate with frescoes and murals, the ceiling fresco by Cosmos being the major eye-catcher.
7. Imperial Regensburg
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Regensburg located at the east of Bavaria is marked by beautiful churches and aristocratic homes belonging to the 13th and 14th centuries. The Cathedral of St. Peter in the city’s central square is considered to be the finest Gothic church in the state. It marks a magnificent west front and exquisite twin spires 105 meters high. The city also has various memorials to combat racism, intolerance towards minorities, and many such social issues.
8. Rothenburg and Romantic Road
One of the only three towns in Germany that still have entirely unscathed city walls, Rothenburg is an old medieval town in Bavaria, and very popular among the tourists. The streets look like paintings, with half-timbered houses, shops, and cafes on either side of the streets, marked by elaborately crafted wrought-iron signs. The cobbled stone streets add the right rustic touch to the country-side feel.
9. Königssee and Kehlsteinhaus
A lake, emerald green in color as it reflects the surrounding lush greenery, the alps of Bavaria in the background, flanked by a church on its edge is a sight to behold. St.Bartholomew is marked by its three distinctive red-colored domes, with beautiful stucco work on the interiors.
10. Bamberg Cathedral
On top of a hill in the small, picture-perfect city in Bavaria stands a four towered cathedral, with the towers sarong high into the skies. The cathedral stands as a testimony to three architectural styles—Romanesque, Gothic, and the transitional style. Numerous sculptures adorn the structure, both on the exterior and the interior.
11. Nymphenburg Palace
Designed by the Italian architect Agostino Barelli, the baroque-style palace is surrounded by a huge garden, landscaped in the French style. The Stone Hall in the central pavilion with ceiling frescoes is the major feature.
12. Herrenchiemsee
Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on the largest island, Herreninsel, in the Chiemsee lake, southern Bavaria. Built in new-baroque style, it features the great hall of mirrors, painted with 25 beautiful frescoes. The palace is accessed by small steamboats, offering a scenic view from various angles.
13. Passau and the Danube
A small town in lower Bavaria, Passau is marked by characteristic flat-roofed Italian houses linked by flying buttresses. It merges with the Danube river along its edge, providing picture-perfect frames for the eye.
14. Dinkelsbühl
Once a former free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, Dinkelsbühl town in Bavaria brims with history. It has various gates and cathedrals, with the image of the town typical of any German town in the 15th-17th century.
15. BMW Headquarters
Considered one of the finest examples of modern architecture in Bavaria, the building’s exterior is supposed to mimic the shape of four cylinders in a car engine. Each cylinder is divided horizontally in its center by a mold in the facade. The cylinders do not stand on the ground. Instead, they are suspended from a central support tower. This is a remarkable feat in the history of modern architecture and structural engineering.
