St. Bartholomew's Church, Berchtesgaden, Catholic pilgrimage church on Königssee Lake, Germany
St. Bartholomew's Church in Schönau am Königsee is a Baroque pilgrimage church set on a peninsula in Königssee Lake, featuring a distinctive red roof with two onion domes. The building displays classic Baroque elements including fine stucco decoration on its three altar spaces, each dedicated to different saints.
The church was founded in 1134 by the Prince-Provosts of Berchtesgaden in Romanesque style. It underwent major reconstruction in 1697, when it was transformed into the Baroque structure with onion domes that exists today.
The church is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, and the local community celebrates his feast day each year as part of its religious calendar. Pilgrims come seeking the solitude and spiritual reflection the isolated lakeside location offers.
The church is accessible only by boat from the harbor in Schönau am Königsee, so visitors must use the boat services available. The trip takes roughly 15 minutes and the dock sits directly beside the building on the shore.
An annual pilgrimage route starts from Maria Alm in Austria and crosses the Berchtesgaden Alps to reach the church, with walkers arriving on the Saturday after August 24. This multi-day journey represents one of the oldest still-practiced pilgrim walks in the region.
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