Mittenwald

Mittenwald is a market municipality in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district of Bavaria, sitting at roughly 900 meters above sea level in the Isar valley. The settlement spreads between forested slopes and alpine meadows close to the Austrian border.

The settlement developed from medieval times as a waypoint along a major trade route crossing the Alps. Matthias Klotz founded a violin-making school here in the late 17th century, bringing economic importance to the area.

Local craftsmen continue a violin-making tradition that visitors can still observe in working studios scattered through the streets. Many buildings display elaborate painted facades showing religious and everyday scenes that reflect the community's artistic heritage.

Regional trains connect the municipality with neighboring towns and allow day trips into the nearby mountains. The compact center is easy to explore on foot, and hiking trails begin right at the edge of the settlement.

The Catholic parish church of Saints Peter and Paul rises with its pink facade between the painted houses in the center. Its baroque interior and distinctive onion-domed tower have shaped the townscape since the 18th century.

Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Elevation above the sea: 911 m

Shares border with: Wallgau, Krün, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Leutasch, Scharnitz, Vomp, Lenggries

Website: http://mittenwald.de

GPS coordinates: 47.44178,11.26143

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47