Benediktbeuern, the holiday resort situated between Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and between Lake Starnberg and Lake Kochel.

The village is easy to reach by car either on the A95 motorway from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen taking the exit for Sindelsdorf or by rail taking the train from Munich via Tutzing to Kochel. A marvellous mountain landscape and large moorlands offer perfect conditions for hiking and cycling.

A big open-air swimming pool and tennis courts are looking forward to your visit. One of the eldest monasteries in Germany and interesting events also offer ample activities for guests interested in culture.

The following are well worth a visit: The Baroque monastery with its basilica and the Anastasia chapel in Rococo style; the "Leonhardifahrt" procession, during which the Lord's blessing is pronounced upon horses and horse-drawn carriages at the beginning of November; various exhibitions, such as the old Bavarian Christmas market on the second Sunday in Advent or the Easter exhibition.

The village situated at the foot of the mountains and by the side of large moorlands owes its name to the former Benedictine monastery. It is considered to be the eldest monastery in Upper Bavaria and was founded in 739 AD. During the 8th century already, it was the cultural centre of a region which was later to become known as the "Pfaffenwinkel". The Gothic cloisters dating back to 1493 as well as the gem of the monastery, the so-called "Grand Hall", which is of sublime beauty, are well worth a visit. The rich stucco work and the frescos are of exquisite beauty. The new great hall in Rococo style as well as the library hall are extraordinary, and can be seen in guided tours all the year around.

Today, the monastery buildings house the University of Philosophy & Theology of the Salesians of Don Bosco, a centre for pastoral youth work, a University of Applied Sciences specialising in social sciences, a public library, a students' hall of residence, and a youth hostel. The St. Benedikt Basilica was built in the Baroque style between 1681 and 1686, and was carefully restored in 1970. The ceiling frescos by Cosmas Damian Asam as well as the stucco work are extraordinary. The Anastasia chapel was added to the monastery church by the famous Rococo architect Johann Michael Fischer from 1750 to 1758. The concerts given in the church are very special events. At the beginning of November every year, splendidly decorated horses and horse-drawn carriages gather in the large quadrangle in front of the church to be blessed in a procession referred to as "Leonhardifahrt" in German. The wonderful costumes of the local population, the splendidly decorated horses and carriages give the whole event a rather festive atmosphere. For additional aerial photographs, please refer to: Aerial photographs.