Heading south
of Diessen towards the Alps, passing lonely meadows and
wooden farm houses, we soon reach Hohenpeissenberg, from
where we have a gigantic view over the Lechtaler Alps and
the Karwendel. The Gnadenkapelle (chapel of mercy) with
frescos of Mathew Guenther painted in 1747 is not very large.
A jewel in a quiet alpine surrounding.
Our next stop: The pilgrimage church
in the Wies, a creation of the famous architect Dominikus
Zimmermann, built around 1750. The light-flooded interior
was decorated by the most famous south-German stuccoworkers
and painters. The church in the middle of nowhere is incencevable
without the piety and pilgrimages of the 18th century.
Not far from here an other demonstration
of christian faith: The monastery of Ettal This church is
one of the finest examples of Bavarian rococo architecture.
Gold and silver gleam in every direction, and jewels encrust
several of the main altars. Exquisite statues and paintings
will take our breath away as we look around the walls and
up at the high vaulted ceiling. The most priceless icon
is a statue of the Madonna and Child above the main altar.
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