Justiz-Vollzugsanstalt, Correctional facility in Rothenfeld, Andechs, Germany.
Justiz-Vollzugsanstalt Rothenfeld is a correctional facility in Andechs designed with symmetric neobarock architecture and four rectangular buildings arranged around a central courtyard. A chapel with a distinctive onion-shaped dome forms the center of this layout and anchors the entire complex.
The building was constructed in 1910 as an educational institution serving Andechs Monastery with religious and teaching purposes. In 1936, the Bavarian state acquired the site and converted it into a correctional facility, where it has operated ever since.
The chapel with its onion-shaped dome remains a visible reminder of the building's monastic origins and spiritual purpose. Visitors can observe how this religious element still shapes the appearance of the complex today.
The complex sits on the outskirts of Andechs and is visible from the outside, though interior access is restricted. Its location near the monastery and village allows visitors to view the architecture from different vantage points.
From 1966 to 1977, the facility specialized in holding inmates convicted of traffic-related offenses, reflecting an unusual focus for a correctional institution on a specific category of crime. This demonstrates how prison systems sometimes adapted to serve specialized roles at different periods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.