Benediktbeuren
This 8th-century monastery (a flourishing cultural center in the Middle Ages) is the oldest Benedictine site north of the Alps. The frescoes in the monastery's baroque church were painted by the father of the famous Asam brothers. It was here, in this ecclesiastical enclave, that the 12th-century secular musical work Carmina Burana (the Goliardic songs) first appeared, later to become a popular 20th-century work by Bavarian composer Carl Orff.
Benediktbeuren is 14.5km (9 miles) southeast of Bad Tölz. Admission is free anytime during opening hours of the compounds (daily 9am-6pm), but if you want to participate in a guided tour, you'll pay 3.50€ ($5.60) per person. These guided tours last for about 90 minutes, and they're conducted mostly in German, with occasional bits of translation thrown in. With frequent alterations based on availability of guides and other events scheduled within the monastery, they follow this schedule: Year-round, tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm. During May and June, a tour is also offered every Wednesday at 2:30pm. During July and August, additional tours are every Monday to Friday at 2:30pm. For information about the monastery and concerts, call tel. 08857/8-80.
