Garmisch-Partenkirchen Live Cam

There are lots of interesting places to visit in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, including Werdenfels castle ruins, the pilgrimage church of St. Anton, King Ludwig II's Schachen hunting lodge, the Werdenfels Museum, the Olympic ski stadium (1936 Olympic Games), the Richard Strauss Institute, historic Ludwigstrasse and the casino.

Olympic venues - The Olympic Ice Stadium was built for the 1936 Olympic Games and has been extended and remodelled over the years. As well as the classic winter sports such as ice-skating, ice hockey and curling, the stadium is used in summer to host major events such as the military music festival, the brass band festival, the Free Flight Exhibition and a variety of conferences.

Werdenfels castle ruins - The once mighty Werdenfels Castle is now just a ruin. Thought to date back to 1219, it was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style by Otto VII, Count of Andechs, who wanted an impressive fortress to guard the military road. Over the centuries many different meanings have been imputed to its name – "Wehr den Fels“ ("defence of the rock") is the most likely interpretation.

St. Anton pilgrimage church - The St. Anton pilgrimage church in Partenkirchen began life as a simple Antonius chapel built at the end of the 17th century. Apart from certain late-baroque elements, the church is primarily built in the rococo style and is the work of Wessobrunnen architect Josef Schmutzer (1683-1752). The dome fresco painted by Johann Evangelist Holzer in 1736 is the jewel in the church's crown, and is the only one of Holzer's works to have been preserved.

The Richard Strauss Institute is chiefly concerned with documenting and researching the life and works of the composer Richard Strauss. The Werdenfels Museum illustrates the history and culture of the region. The "Marianne Aschenbrenner“ collection has priceless dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries. The town also has regularly changing exhibitions of local artists' work.

Richard Strauss Institute - Richard Strauss lived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for 41 years. One of the Institute's primary objectives is to promote public interest in the composer. Multimedia terminals, exhibitions and a musical museum draw visitors into the world of Richard Strauss. The Institute also has an extensive CD and video collection, plus a library.

Werdenfels Museum - The museum reflects the history and culture of the Werdenfels region. For 700 years, until secularisation in 1802, the region was ruled by the Freising prince-bishops and was independent from Bavaria. This area bears the traces of more than 2,000 years of history and has always been an important link between Bavaria, the Tyrol and Italy

Aschenbrenner Institute - The Marianne Aschenbrenner collection contains around 200 valuable German and French dolls dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, most preserved in their original condition. The institute also has a large quantity of porcelain made by leading German manufacturers in the 18th century, with Meissen being the oldest and most famous. Porcelain figurines form the focal point of the collection. The late-baroque sculptures of modeller J. J. Kaendler - masterpieces of porcelain art - are particularly worthy of note.

A stroll through the streets and lanes of Garmisch-Partenkirchen will give you a feel for the town’s very special combination of international flair and Bavarian tradition. The elegant shops, art galleries and antique stores selling traditional crafts and original souvenirs make this a fascinating place to shop.

“Historic Ludwigstrasse” - Ludwigstrasse has been part of the main Alpine route since Roman times. Around 1,000 years ago it was the main trading centre in the Werdenfels region. Today, “Historic Ludwigstrasse” in the heart of Partenkirchen is a street for shopping and strolling, a place to see and be seen. It also boasts a number of traditional Alpine inns and restaurants.

The cultural events are rooted in Bavarian custom and include folk music, spa concerts, comedy and Bauerntheater (which translates as "farmers' theatre" or "peasant theatre"), a military music festival and the local festival with colourful processions in traditional dress. One of the major highlights on Garmisch-Partenkirchen's cultural calendar is the Richard Strauss Festival.

Richard Strauss Festival - The Richard Strauss Festival is a showcase both for international stars and for hopeful new talent. As well as performances of his best-known works including "Salome" or "An Alpine Symphony", there are master classes, recitals, an introduction to his works with examples of both vocal and orchestral interpretations and discussions with the artists. Opera, chamber music, lieder and orchestral works form the heart of the festival.

Summer of Culture - For a full month, artists from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district or who have had long ties with the region show off their talent. Striking settings, authentic works of art and original artists are what make this Summer of Culture festival so special. The programme ranges from comedy, music and theatre premières to literature evenings and exhibitions, unearthing new artists and rediscovering old favourites along the way.

Local Festival - The local festival (Heimatwochen) has been a firm fixture on the Garmisch-Partenkirchen cultural scene for more than fifty years. Perennial favourites include performances of Bavarian folk dances by groups in traditional dress, including the nifty "schuhplattler“ duo Madln and Buam, and the historical "Old Dance“. The deep-rooted association with Bavarian tradition is also evident in other customs, including log sawing, finger wrestling and stone lifting.

As well as the well-known St. Anton's chapel and gardens, and the Kramerplateau trail with its Kneipp pools, the spa park offers an all-round sensory experience. There are endless ways of enjoying the Alpine scenery: whether walking in summer or on skis in winter, the fresh air and breathtaking views are always free. Or what about a trip in a horse-drawn sleigh through the wintry woods?

Zugspitze mountain - A trip up the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain (2,962 metres) with the rack-railway and the Eibsee cable car is a "must" for any visitor. The panoramic views of the surrounding peaks are unparalleled. And when you reach the top, there is even an art gallery to visit.

The Alpspitze - Garmisch-Partenkirchen's famous landmark is the Alpspitze mountain (2,628m) – to "conquer" its peak visitors have the option of a leisurely stroll or a more energetic walk along some of the 100 kilometres of mountain paths and health and fitness tracks. During winter, the snow-covered trails have a special magic of their own.

Partnachklamm gorge - The spectacular Partnachklamm gorge was declared a natural monument in 1912. It is around 800 metres long, has an ascent of around 90 metres and can also be visited in winter when the walls of the Klamm often form weird and wonderful ice sculptures, giving the gorge a special charm all of its own.

In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, visitors can choose from a wide range of restaurants, cafés and bars. There is something to suit every taste and budget, from simple snack bars to rustic inns to gourmet restaurants.

Restaurant Alpenhof - Bavarian and mediterranean cuisine, café with homemade cakes, large sun terrace with covered walkways and view of the Wetterstein mountains, right in the pedestrianised area.

Restaurant in the Grandhotel Sonnenbichl - The "Blauer Salon" is the hotel's gourmet restaurant. Seasonal international dishes created to the head chef's own recipes and a fine wine list, served up in a stylish ambience.

In addition to the numerous options for excursions into the countryside, popular places to visit include King Ludwig's fairytale castles, the Glentleiten open-air museum, Oberammergau, home of the Passion Plays, the violin-making museum in Mittenwald and the Blue Riders in Murnau.

Neuschwanstein Castle - King Ludwig II's most famous creation stands on the old border area between Bavaria, Tyrol and Swabia in the majestic mountain landscape of the fabled Schwangau. With its turrets, battlements and gables, Neuschwanstein Castle is an impressive picture-book example of a mighty royal castle. The king ordered it to be built “in the true style of the old German knights' castles”.

Oberammergau - Oberammergau is widely known as the home of the master wood carvers, a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. There are currently around 100 active wood carvers creating everything imaginable from wood, from religious figures to everyday household objects. Pilatus House is the first port of call for anyone wishing to find out more about this art.

Mittenwald - The centre of the Upper Isar Valley came to international prominence in the Middle Ages, partly as the main point of transhipment for "trade between north and south" but primarily because Bozen (Bolzano) Market was relocated here. The town enjoyed a second heyday thanks to artisan Matthias Klotz, who brought violin-making here and started a tradition that has continued to this day. The informative violin-making museum is furnished like a home with country-style furniture, arts and crafts and all types of household items.

As well as the variety of cultural events such as the Richard Strauss Festival, there is a wide range of sports activities and major events in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen both in summer and in winter.

International New Year Ski Jumping - Ski jumpers from Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Poland and many other nations show off their skills on the large Olympic ski jump. The tournament is held at a number of centres, starting in Oberstdorf and moving on to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.

SummerCamp - A huge halfpipe, perfect deep-snow slopes and a fun park raise the adrenalin levels of snowboarders and free-skiers at Gap 1328 SummerCamp. Another highlight is Germany's biggest open-air jacuzzi on Zugspitze mountain, the perfect place to chill out and relax. The SummerCamp parties are also legendary.

BMW Motorbike Rally - In summer, BMW motorbike owners and fans flock to the International BMW Motorbike Rally on the festival site. Group rides through the most beautiful touring country in the foothills of the Alps, great shows, fascinating talks, interesting exhibitions, test drives on the latest models and plenty of parties.