Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria’s 2nd largest lake after Lake Constance, is a wonderful leisure paradise. Located between Munich and Salzburg with magnificent alpine panoramas and historical sites, it is a wonderful leisure paradise.
Our hotel, Luitpold am See, is located right in the harbor’s center. This is where all the ships dock, especially those going to the Herreninsel and Fraueninsel islands. The Chiemsee railway also stops right in front of the hotel, offering a direct connection to the train station. We admire the ships, some of which are historically significant, as well as the Chiemsee Railway’s steam locomotive, which only runs on weekends. During the week, a diesel locomotive is used.
After getting our bearings, we take the ferry to Herreninsel. It is the largest island in Lake Chiemsee. Herrenchiemsee Abbey was founded here between 620 and 629 AD. In 1803, it was dissolved and repurposed. For a time, the former abbey church housed a brewery. The building was later renovated and has been open to visitors temporarily since 2021.
However, the island became famous due to the construction of the New Herrenchiemsee Palace.
After crossing to the island by boat, we reach the palace gardens in about 15 minutes on foot. King Ludwig II of Bavaria had the palace built based on the model of the Palace of Versailles. He also built Neuschwanstein Palace and Linderhof Palace. Ultimately, Ludwig II focused exclusively on building palaces and promoting the arts. He ignored the spiraling costs until he was declared incompetent in 1886. Four days later, he presumably committed suicide in Lake Starnberg. Today, his palaces are among Bavaria’s most important tourist attractions.
The palace gardens, with their fountains and water features, are particularly worth seeing.
Inside the palace, only the grand staircase, study, state bedroom, and large Hall of Mirrors were completed. The rest of the building exists only as a shell. Much of the palace is modeled on the Palace of Versailles, but large parts were never realized. The completed areas were equipped with modern 19th-century technology, such as hot-air heating. Since filming is not permitted, we decided not to visit the interior.
From the Herreninsel Island, we take a boat to Fraueninsel.
The most important building here is the Frauenchiemsee Monastery, also known as the Frauenwörth Monastery. It was consecrated in 782. The monastery buildings were severely damaged by fire during the Hungarian invasion as early as the 10th century. A similar event occurred again in the 13th century. The monastery church was rebuilt in the 11th century.
The bell tower, which is visible from afar, dates from the 12th century. The monastery buildings were rebuilt between 1721 and 1730.
The gatehouse to the north of the monastery dates back to the Carolingian period (around 782), when the monastery was first established. It is one of the oldest buildings in Bavaria. The gatehouse once served as the monastery’s entrance.
The linden grove is located in the middle of the island. Next to a small chapel stand two linden trees that are over 1,000 years old.
We continue our tour by strolling between the allotments and fishermen’s houses along the island’s coast, finally reaching the boat landing stage again. In two to three hours, you can get a good impression of the island.
he next boat takes us back to the harbor in Prien via Gstadt. Since we have some extra time, we walk to the pavilion, which offers magnificent views of Herrenchiemsee Castle. You can also catch a glimpse of the Prienavera water park.
Then, we head to the Schraml bathing area, where we spend the evening with friends. On the way, we pass the Prien climbing forest.
The next morning, we take the Chiemsee Railway to the train station. It was a wonderful weekend full of positive memories!
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