GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN tourist attractions

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the best known German Alpine resorts. It lies at the foot of the country's highest peak, the Zugspitze and there are two large ski resorts and a ski jump on which one of the competitions of the 4-Hills-Tournament is held every year.

Until 1935, Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate cities. Older and richer Partenkirchen dates back to Roman times, and more than 1000 years later the Bavarian Garmisch was founded. Both parts are separated by the Partnach River, which creates the picturesque Partnach Gorge in the vicinity of the city, which is a destination for hiking.

The cities were merged into one place on Hitler's order before the Olympic Games in 1936. The remnant of them is the Olympic ski stadium. The merger of Garmisch and Partenkirchen took place against the wishes of their inhabitants, under the threat of being sent to the Dachau concentration camp.

Although the history of the city as a whole is not long, there are many interesting monuments here. In the center of the village there is a picturesque Kurpark with the Spa House, through which leads the Promenade Am Kurpark. In turn, the main street of the city is the Ludwigstraße pedestrian street leading to the Town Hall Square, with houses with facades decorated with reliefs and paintings. Interesting monuments are, among others King's House on Schachen, Old People's Garden, baroque church of St. Martin, Old Church of St. Martin and the neo-Gothic Church of the Assumption of Mary.

Ga-Pa, as the resort is called, is surrounded by the highest part of the Bavarian Alps. The Zugspitze 2962 m high here, the highest peak of Germany. It can be reached by the Bavarian Zugsitzbahn mountain railway and the Zugspitze cable car. Another popular destination is Wank 1780 m, which is reached by the Wank cable car, Kramerspitz 1985 m, and Alpspitze 2628 m boasts a spectacular shape.

The surroundings of Ga-Pa are ideal for active holidays in both winter and summer. In winter, ski resorts operate here with several dozen kilometers of perfectly groomed ski slopes, while in summer hiking trails await trekkers, rock routes for climbers, and numerous picturesque corners for walkers, such as the Riessersee, the Alpine Garden on Schachen or the Ruins of Werdenfels Castle.