Altötting, Religious pilgrimage destination in Bavaria, Germany
Altötting is a district capital in the Upper Bavarian county of Altötting, shaped by its religious sites and baroque architecture. The central Kapellplatz forms the heart of the town and is surrounded by historical buildings and several sacred structures.
In the 9th century, a royal Carolingian palace stood here before King Carloman founded a Benedictine monastery in 876. From the late Middle Ages onward, the town developed into one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in German-speaking regions.
The town takes its name from the Old High German word meaning people's settlement. On major religious holidays, you can see processions walking through the central square, and hear church bells ringing from different towers across the old town.
The town lies around 90 km (56 miles) east of Munich and is well served by regional trains. Visiting the different churches and the Kapellplatz can be done on foot, as the historical sites are close to each other.
The town preserves liturgical vestments and votive offerings from different centuries in several treasuries. Among the works of art are gifts from European noble houses donated during their pilgrimages here.
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