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BLUE BAVARIAN ALPS - ART AND AUGUSTINER
Castle Art Museum in the Blue Land

The Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) region near Oberammergau on the southern Germany border with Austria is a very popular playground in winter at the nearby Zugspitz and in summer for the mountain hikes. Even though it’s only a little over an hour from Munich by the autobahn, tell a German you’re going to there and you get a reverant nod as if you’re visiting the Holy land of vacation spots. The hills and valleys which butt against the jutting peaks and the gingerbread Alpine architecture tell you why. The little town of Murnau near the region's largest city of Garmish-Partenkirchen is a popular day getaway spot for a lunch at the foot of the the Alps. It's noted for its mountain views (when the weather's good) and has been called the Blue Land because of the blue hue the Alps valleys take on when looking into the distance.

In Murnau can be found the Schloss Museum Murnau. It is not a museum of castles, but an art museum in a castle. Originally built at the local manor house in the 13th Century on a promontory over the town, it now houses a collection of 19th Century art depicting the region, including the works of the local "Blue Rider" artists along with artifacts of local history. It rises on a cliff above the little town square a postoffice. Downstairs at the Schloss Museum is a modern re-decorated Café Bar-Restaurant (and work of art all on its own) the Schloss Hof 5. A lovely little stop when visiting the museum for a local brew or wine.

The story Murnau and the Blue Rider period is nearly as "blue" as its style for the love story of two artists with a tragic end. Wasilly Kandinski and Gabriele Münter met in Munich and discovered the landscapes of Murnau in 1908. Kandinski, was foMurnau is also noted rced to move back to Russia with the coming of WWI, but Munter remained behind in Murnau the rest of her life. Münter continued to paint and along with other artists attracted to the area, Franz Marc, August Macke, Alexei Jawlensky and Marianne von Werefkin, became known as the "Blue Rider" school of expressionism painting style. Many of the works of the Blue Rider artists canb be seen at the Lenbach Museum in Munich and in Stuttgart (see Stuttgart Museums), but more can be seen in Murnau where they can be compared to the actual landscapes.

For a more intimate look at the Münter and Kandinski romantic story and a unique look into the lives of artists the Münter Cottage is just outside of town. The walls of the 3 story mountain love nest are covered with frescoes painted by Kandinsky, and the rooms filled with hand painted furniture, swirled with animals and flowers. Priceless art works once part of everyday living, are more a picture of the artists journey than a museum.

2008 marks the Centenial of Kandinsky and Munter's arrival in Murnau and with special exhibits bringing Kandinsky's work from other countries to be on display in Murnau. © Bargain Travel Europe

Murnau Castle Museum
www.schlossmuseum-murnau.de

To Stay in Murnau
Hotel Alpenhof Murnau

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

SEE ALSO:

STRONG BEER - MUNICH'S "FIFTH SEASON"

BAROQUE IN BAVARIA - ETTAL BASILICA

SECRET WAR FACTORIES THEY DON"T WANT YOU TO SEE

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