Side Trips

A Rococo Masterpiece

From Füssen, you can take a fascinating side trip to the Wieskirche (tel. 08862/932930; www.wieskirche.de), one of the most extravagant rococo buildings in the world, a masterpiece by Dominikus Zimmermann. The Wieskirche is a noted pilgrimage church, drawing visitors from all over the globe. It's located on the slopes of the Ammergau Alps between Ammer and Lech, in an Alpine meadow just off the Romantic Road near Steingaden, where there is a visitor information office (tel. 08862/200). The staff at the office can give you a map and confirm that the church is open.

With the help of his brother, Johann Baptist, Zimmermann worked on this church from 1746 to 1754. The ceiling is richly frescoed. It's amazing that so much decoration could be crowded into so small a place. The great Zimmermann was so enchanted with his creation that he built a small home in the vicinity and spent the last decade of his life here. A bus heading for the church leaves Füssen Monday to Friday twice per day (once per day on the weekend). Visitors should check the timetable at the station for bus information or ask at the Füssen tourist office. The trip takes 30 minutes and costs 13€ round-trip.