St. Bartholomew's Church, Berchtesgaden
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.
Location: Schönau am Königsee
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Address: Sankt Bartholomä 1
GPS coordinates: 47.54472,12.97250
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Bavaria combines medieval castles, baroque churches, and natural areas into one region. Palaces sit in forests, old monasteries stand near rivers, and mountain lakes dot the Alps. Cities preserve their medieval buildings and streets while the landscape spreads across mountains, lakes, and hiking trails that follow historical routes. Visitors encounter places like Burghausen with its long fortress, the Wies Church with its ornate interior, and Herrenchiemsee Palace built on an island in the Chiemsee lake. Bamberg's old town shows half-timbered houses and waterways, while Regensburg holds one of Germany's largest medieval centers with stone buildings from centuries past. Nature lovers can explore the Königssee and Weißensee, walk through the Partnach Gorge, or take the cable car up Zugspitze. The region draws visitors to monasteries like Weltenburg and Ottobeuren, which display remarkable artwork and decoration, and to palaces such as Linderhof where King Ludwig II spent time. Nature paths like the Baumwipfelpfad Steigerwald or walks through Franconian Switzerland show the region's green character. Thermal baths in Erding offer warmth and relaxation, while villages like Oberammergau and Mittenwald display painted house fronts that catch the eye.
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