Perched on the southwestern shore of the Ammersee, Diessen am Ammersee is a picturesque town in Bavaria. It was once located on the Roman-built Via Raetia, which connected southern Germany with northern Italy. After the railroad arrived in the late 19th century, Diessen am Ammersee became a popular getaway destination for artists and craftspeople.
Things to do in Dießen am Ammersee
Diessen am Ammersee’s most magnificent building is the Diessen Marienmünster Church, which is considered one of the finest examples of 18th-century Baroque architecture in Bavaria. It is opulently decorated with a gilded altar and a painted ceiling depicting Biblical scenes. Take note of the organ built by Caspar König or coincide your visit with one of the church’s recitals.
On the opposite side of the Ammersee is the Andechs Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that centres around an ornately decorated Baroque church where the composer Carl Orff is laid to rest. The monastery has been in existence since the mid-15th century and is renowned for its schnapps distillery. You can join a guided tour to learn about the lifestyle and activities of the monks or attend one of the regular church services.
Sprawling south of Diessen am Ammersee is the Bird Sanctuary Ammersee-Südufer, a lakeside nature preserve that provides a habitat for greylag geese, common terns and cormorants. You can enjoy elevated views across the preserve from the observation tower or stretch your legs on one of the boardwalk trails that lead through its Ramsar-listed wetlands.
Getting around Dießen am Ammersee
Diessen am Ammersee is around a one-hour drive from the centre of Munich Munich International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Diessen railway station and most of the town’s attractions are accessible on foot from there.