Birth house of Benedict XVI, Birth house in Marktl, Germany
The birth house of Benedict XVI is a two-story building with traditional Bavarian architecture located at the market square of Marktl, featuring a white facade and green shutters. Inside, visitors can see various rooms that document the family's life and function as a museum open to the public.
The house was built after the market fire of 1701 and initially served as a customs and courthouse before Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI, was born here in 1927. The building was later converted into a memorial site commemorating the early years of one of the 20th century's most important Church figures.
The rooms show how the Ratzinger family lived here and how the Catholic Church later used this place as a memorial site. Visitors see photographs and personal objects that offer insight into daily life during that period.
The house is accessible to visitors and offers guided tours in various languages to learn more about the history. Opening hours are extended during warmer months, allowing for comfortable visits.
The house contains the original baptismal font where Joseph Ratzinger was baptized on the same day as his birth, connecting his first moments of life with the religious role he would later play. This artifact reveals how quickly the family embraced the Church's traditions in marking such a significant milestone.
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