Exploring The Beauty Of Füssen, Bavaria's Southern Gem

Füssen is a small town in the district of Ostallgäu, Bavaria, Germany, located about one kilometre from the Austrian border. It is known for its violin manufacturing and as the closest transportation hub for the famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. The town is nestled at the foot of the Alps and is surrounded by mountains, with the Lech River flowing through its centre. With its cobblestone alleyways, pastel-toned shop fronts, and charming old-town atmosphere, Füssen offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Fussen's history as a centre for violin-making

Füssen, a town in Bavaria, Germany, has a rich history as a centre for violin-making. Located on the Via Claudia Augusta, an ancient Roman trade route, the town sits at the southern border of Bavaria, where Germany meets Austria. This strategic location played a crucial role in establishing Füssen as a hub for violin-making.

The surrounding mountainous region, including the North Tyrol and the Ammer Mountains, provided an abundant supply of maple, spruce, and yew wood, which are essential for crafting fine violins. The proximity to these resources, along with its location on a major trade route, made Füssen an ideal centre for luthiers, or violin makers. Notable luthiers associated with the town include Johann Angon Gedler (1725-1790), the Niggel family, including Simpert Niggle (1710-1785), and Josef Alois Stoss (1787-1866).

Füssen's history as a violin-making centre can be traced back to the 16th century. In the mid-1500s, several lute makers from the surrounding villages and cities relocated to Füssen, recognising the potential of its location and resources. By 1562, the town had established the oldest lute makers' guild in Europe, regulating the craft and ensuring its quality.

The influence of Füssen's violin-making tradition extended beyond the town itself. Füssen-trained luthiers travelled to other cities in Europe, including Caspar Tiefenbrucker in Lyon, Laux Maler in Bologna, and members of the Seelos family in Innsbruck, Linz, and Venice. Their skills and techniques had a significant impact on the development of violin-making in these regions.

However, Füssen's prominence in violin-making faced challenges over time. The onset of the Thirty Years' War in 1618 and the arrival of the plague in 1628, which devastated the town's population, disrupted the instrument-making profession. Additionally, the introduction of more efficient assembly line methods in the 18th century made Füssen's handcrafted instruments less competitive in terms of price. Nonetheless, Füssen's legacy in violin-making endures, and the town remains known for its historical association with the craft.

The Museum der Bayerischen Könige

Füssen is a town in the district of Ostallgäu in Bavaria, Germany, located one kilometre from the Austrian border. The town is known for its violin manufacturing and as the closest transportation hub for the nearby castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

The museum's exhibition space covers around 1200 square metres and features over 130 original exhibits, including paintings, porcelain, and personal items such as writing sets and toys belonging to King Ludwig II and his brother Otto. The exhibition is centred around a walkable family tree, with the biographies of King Ludwig II and his predecessor, King Maximilian II, forming the core of the display. The exhibition also covers the history of the region under the Wittelsbachs, including topics such as their art collections, traditional costumes, and the famous Oktoberfest in Munich.

The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with free admission for children under 18. Audio guides in various languages are provided free of charge.

St Mang's Abbey

The founding of the abbey is attributed to the hermit Magnus of Füssen, or Saint Mang, and his Benedictine brother Theodor. They constructed a cell and an oratory in Füssen, where Saint Mang eventually died on 6 September (the exact year is unknown). Saint Mang's body was found to be uncorrupted, which was considered a miracle and proof of his sanctity. The abbey was established to venerate Saint Mang, but it also served practical political purposes due to its strategic location.

The history of the abbey is marked by the monks' dedication to maintaining their way of life amidst external pressures. They embraced reforms and reforming movements to return to the essentials of Benedictine life, resulting in spiritual and economic growth and an increase in the number of monks. This growth led to further building and artistic commissions.

During the Counter-Reformation, an enormous Baroque abbey complex was constructed between 1696 and 1726, commissioned by Abbot Gerhard Oberleitner. The architect, Johann Jakob Herkomer, transformed the irregular medieval abbey into a symmetrically organised complex. The church was designed as an architectural symbol of the veneration of Saint Mang, with its interiors adorned by religious paintings and artworks.

Today, the two wings of the former abbey serve different purposes. The north wing is used as the town hall, while the south wing houses the Füssen Town Museum, which showcases the history of the abbey and the town's traditional lute and violin manufacturing industry. The abbey continues to be a site for religious ceremonies, prayer services, and concerts, attracting visitors with its notable architecture and beautiful interiors.

The oldest fresco in Germany

Füssen is a town in the district of Ostallgäu, Bavaria, Germany, situated one kilometre from the Austrian border. It is known for its violin manufacturing and as the closest transportation hub for the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

Füssen was settled in Roman times and has a rich history. The town is home to the former Benedictine monastery of St. Mang, whose history goes back to the 9th century. The oldest fresco in Germany can be found in the crypt of St Mang's Basilica and dates back to about the year 980.

The fresco is part of the original decor of the church, which was built around the year 1000. The crypt also houses the bones of Saint Mang (Magnus of Füssen), the patron saint of the town. Saint Mang and his brother Theodor are considered the founders of the monastery.

Füssen is located on the banks of the Lech River and is surrounded by mountains in the Ammergau Alps. The town is known for its medieval architecture, cobbled squares, and picturesque landscapes. It is a popular destination for tourists exploring the Romantic Road, a famous driving route in southern Germany.

The Füssen Kalvarienberg

Füssen is a town in the district of Ostallgäu in Bavaria, Germany, located one kilometre from the Austrian border. The town is a popular tourist destination, known for its violin manufacturing and as the closest transportation hub for the famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.

• Historic Old Town: Enclosed within ramparts, the old town of Füssen is a delightful place to wander. Explore the medieval alleyways, sunlit squares, and historic trade routes. Admire the unique decorations of dragons and the "Dance of Death," a macabre yet fascinating artwork.
• Schrannenplatz: Once the former grain market, Schrannenplatz is now a lively square. The Markthalle, dating back to the 1480s, hosts an indoor market where locals gather to enjoy Turkish salads, lake fish, and drinks under the arches.
• Brunnengasse: Along Brunnengasse, you'll find tall gabled houses with winch hooks that were once used to lift goods into the attics. Display boards in the courtyard at No. 3 provide a glimpse into Füssen's tumultuous history of fires and wars.
• Summer Castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg: Standing proud, the summer castle of the prince-bishops of Augsburg is a testament to the town's rich history. Nearby, you'll find the Franciscan monastery, offering panoramic views of the town's rooftops and gables.
• St. Magnus Church: Ascending higher, you'll reach the Baroque St. Magnus Church, adorned with sconces in the shape of dragon heads, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
• Late-Gothic Castle: Continuing upwards, discover the late-Gothic castle with its frescoed Renaissance courtyard. From here, you can take in breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps and the rolling Allgau countryside.
• Reichenstrasse: Wander down Reichenstrasse, the old main shopping street of Füssen. Tracing the path of the Roman Via Claudia Augusta across the Alps, it ends in a charming square surrounded by colourful houses.
• Outdoor Activities: Füssen is also a great base for gentle hiking trails and exploring the surrounding Alpine landscapes. Take a cable car up to the top of Tegelberg for breathtaking views and hang-gliding opportunities.

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