The Chiemsee is lying in Chiemgau in the south East Upper Bavaria at the foot of the Chiemgau Alps. The third largest lake in Germany is particularly popular because of its alpine panorama.
places
- Chieming - Chieming is located on the eastern shore of the lake with a long beach.
- Seebruck am Chiemsee - politically belongs to the municipality "Seeon-Seebruck". In terms of tourism, Seebruck is, as a holiday resort directly on the lake, its own holiday destination.
- Gstadt am Chiemsee with a beautiful view of the Fraueninsel and the Gollenshausen district.
- Breitbrunn am Chiemsee - The beach is on the west bank of the Urfahrn peninsula.
- Rimsting with the districts of Schafwaschen, Guggenbichl and Aiterbach.
- Prien am Chiemsee - largest place on the lake with a train station for long-distance traffic. The harbor is located in the Stock district and is connected by a traditional steam train.
- Bernau am Chiemsee - The beach is in the district of Felden.
- Overseas with the districts of Feldwies and Seethal and the Mouth of the Tiroler Achen nature reserve. The beach is in the north west of the estuary.
background
The Chiemsee has an area of approx. 80 km² at a depth of almost 73 m and is 518 m above sea level. NN. The lake is the third largest lake in Germany in terms of area and the largest lake in Bavaria. It is therefore also called the "Bavarian Sea". It is fed by the Tiroler Ache (in dialect too "Achen") and the Prien. It has its drain in the Alz, which later unites with the Traun coming from Traunstein and to the Inn flows on. Because of its size, the Chiemsee is the most turbulent and stormy of all Bavarian lakes.
The Chiemsee owes its formation to the glaciation of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. The swampy south bank and many smaller lakes to the northwest suggest a much larger area in the past.
With a view to the south, the near Chiemgau Alps, namely the peaks of the Hochgern, the Hochfelln and the Kampenwand a picturesque background for the three islands in the imposing water surface of the Chiemsee. From the peaks, the lake can be seen from a great distance if the view is clear.
A curiosity is the municipality of Chiemsee, which is made up of the three islands and, with an area of 2.57 km², is the municipality with the smallest land area in Bavaria.
Herrenchiemsee Convention
The Herrenchiemsee gained political significance for Germany after the Second World War Constitutional Convention, also "Herrenchiemsee Convention": From August 10 to 23, 1948, a committee of expert officials from the federal states around the head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, Minister of State Anton Pfeiffer, drafted the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany in the former dining room of King Ludwig II in the old castle.
The "Chiemsee Draft" was, only slightly changed, put into effect on May 23, 1949 by the Conference of Prime Ministers and the Parliamentary Council in Bonn as the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany.
A diary entry by the representative for the State of Hesse, Dr. Hermann Louis Brill: He notes an answer from the head Anton Pfeiffer, who, unflattering for the client, describes the work of the committee as an "idiot primer" for the Parliamentary Council.
Protected area
The entire Chiemsee is a protected area because of the mudflats and water birds that live in it and since 1976 one of the 17 German Ramsar areas. Ramsar areas are wetlands of international importance, especially for the protection of migratory bird species (Ramsar Convention 1971).
Around 300 of Bavaria's 350 bird species have been recorded in the protected area. Further protection zones are the raised bogs near the banks.
In order to protect birds and fish, access to six bank areas is generally prohibited all year round or during the breeding season (March to July). It is also important for sailors and other watercraft to observe the special protection zones.
The lake may not be used with internal combustion engine boats, with the exception of passenger ships and the two ferries, which are only used for transport to the islands.
getting there
By plane
The nearest major international airport is that Munich Airport
(IATA: MUC), about 70 km away and about an hour's drive by car. Another quickly accessible airport is the Salzburg Airport(IATA: SZG), 60 km, just under an hour's drive).
By train
The Prien and Übersee stations are connected to the IC network of German train; Direct connection: IC 329/2429 "Alpenland" and IC 2083 "Königssee".
The Prien, Bernau and Übersee stations are also served hourly by the Meridian trains on the Salzburg - Munich route. The Übersee train station is not barrier-free in the direction of Munich.
In the street
Via the A8 motorway (Munich-Salzburg), exits Bernau am Chiemsee, Felden and Übersee. For several kilometers, the motorway directly touches the southern shore of the lake.
Alternatively from Munich via the federal highway 304 (German holiday route Alps-Baltic Sea).
There are good parking possibilities directly at the harbor in Prien / Stock (chargeable).
mobility
The Chiemsee shipping offers all year round in addition to the regular trips a variety of special trips with dance events and music from swing to jazz to folk music, or Mother's Day trips with brunch and pirate trips with a treasure hunt.
The fleet is proud of the paddle steamer "Ludwig Fessler" from 1926 with a saloon in the aft ship that was newly renovated in the style of the 1920s. The ship has 461 seats (200 of them indoors) and only operates in the summer months from May to September, mainly in island traffic and for special trips.
 No1813, 1887 |  Chiemseebahn |
- Mooring points in winter are: Prien / Stock, Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, Gstadt; they will be at the small tour approached.
- Mooring points in summer are: Prien, Bernau, Seebruck, Chieming, Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, Gstadt. The big island tour connects Prien / Stock, Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, Seebruck and Chieming, there is also shuttle service Bernau / Felden-Herreninsel, Gstadt-Fraueninsel and Übersee / Feldwies-Fraueninsel-Herreninsel.
- On days of good weather, queues can form at the landing stages, but since the ships run frequently, the waiting times are not too long.
- Because of the ice formation in winter, navigation on the lake can be impaired, which happens every few years.
The historical Chiemsee Railway Since 1887, it has been a nostalgic narrow-gauge railway in Prien that connects the 1.8 km long train station in the center with the Chiemsee shipping port in Stock. It is advertised as the oldest steam tram and runs daily on Sundays and public holidays and in the summer months from June to September (alternating coal and diesel operation), travel time around 8 minutes, average speed 15 km / h. The operator is the Chiemseeschifffahrt (combined tickets). Fare (2020) just € 3, € 4 there and back.
- Chiemsee shipping company Ludwig Feßler, Seestrasse 108, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee. Tel.: (0)8051 60 9-0. Price: Day ticket € 8.80 - € 12.20 (as of 2015).
The distances on the two islands approached by the ships are generally manageable, also with regard to the transit times, there are no special inclines or even mountains. The distances can easily be covered on foot by people without particular mobility restrictions.
Operate on the island of Herrenchiemsee in summer Horse-drawn carriages between the ship landing stage and the royal castle as a shuttle service (one-way trip € 3.50; as of 2017).
Bike and hiking bus
The Chiemseering line by bus circumnavigates the lake from June 3rd to October 8th 2017 on all seven days of the week. The buses start two to three times a day in Bad Endorf or Prien and in Traunstein or Chieming and go around the Chiemsee. They have a bicycle trailer for 18 or 22 bicycles, and thus offer combination options for hiking and cycling tours. The fare is € 9.80 and is free for spa card holders. Taking bicycles with you costs € 2.10. · Leaflet 2017
By bicycle
On nice weekends in summer there is heavy traffic on the bike paths. The whole lake can be largely bypassed on bike paths and offers fantastic views of the Alps again and again. Not to be missed is the Urfahrn peninsula in the north. From the green area in Gstadt you can see the Fraueninsel, a popular photo opportunity. In Seebruck there is a bottleneck on the road and in Chieming pushing is mandatory. The drive through the Grabenstädter Moos is then very appealing. The south side of the lake is not so pleasant, as the motorway is right next to the Chiemsee circular route and the Chiemsee cycle route leads over a larger mountain foothill. You drive on a country road south of Prien. Alternatively, you can use the path next to the railway. On the way there are some bird watching towers and plenty of bathing beaches from which you can enjoy the beautiful landscape.
Larger parts of the riverside path are closed to cyclists, but are still used by many cyclists because the cycle paths further away from the bank are shadow-free and offer little view of the lake.
The official round tours around the Chiemsee are the "Chiemsee cycle path"for normal to sporty cyclists (55 km) and a combined cycle and pedestrian path (57 km), the"Chiemsee circular route". The circular route is designed for leisure cyclists and families, the cycle path is better paved and ideal for faster cyclists. Both bypass the direct route along the motorway on the south bank of the Chiemsee.
In some places there are free charging stations for electric bicycles with lockable compartments for the power supply unit and the battery that you have brought with you. However, there are also numerous bike rental stations e.g. in Prien, Bernau, Seebruck and Chieming bike rental-chiemsee
Tourist Attractions
Herrenchiemsee Island
The island of Herrenchiemsee is also called "Herrenwörth" or Herreninsel. With an area of about 230 hectares, it has a shore length of 11 km.
On Herrenchiemsee you can find the Herrenchiemsee Castle and the affiliated Castle Park the most famous attraction in the region. The 42 hectare complex was built by the garden architect Carl von Effner between 1879 and 1890 on behalf of King Ludwig II. It was created in the architectural style based on the palace complex in Versailles, but with a less strict symmetry to the central axis, taking into account the given special island situation.
The castle was never fully completed and was only inhabited by the king for a short time. The island itself is also largely uninhabited.
Today's Ludwig researchers are puzzling over the effects of the sensual design on the psyche of the young king, who obviously did not feel particularly comfortable here.
 Latona fountain |  Fountain figure |
Tourist Attractions in the baroque park are:
- The round one Latona - Fountain in the center of the park, a replica of the model in Versailles;
- The large water basins of the Fama fountain and Fortuna fountain in front of the castle with the rock structures with groups of figures based on the model of San Ildefonso in Spain;
- Tapis Vert (green carpet), the avenue leading to the Chiemsee;
- southern marble fountain with the figures of Amphitrite and Flora; created by Johann Nepomuk Hautmann 1885-1886 based on a model in Versailles;
- northern marble fountain with the figures of Diana and Venus; also created by Johann Nepomuk Hautmann;
Tourist Attractions in the palace building are the numerous lavishly furnished halls, some of which exceed the Versailles model in terms of their furnishings.
- The Hall of Mirrors with 17 large wall mirrors, 33 ceiling chandeliers, gold-decorated stucco work and the ceiling paintings is the highlight of the rooms. The hall of mirrors is then also used as a suitable setting for the concert series of the Herrenchiemsee Festival used.
 Fountain of Fortune |  Fountain figure |
- The vestibule (Entrance area) with peacock sculpture,
- The Stairwell with grand staircase,
- Other rooms worth seeing are the Hartschiersaal (Parade room), various AnteroomConsultation room and Parade bedroom, everything in the most elaborate decoration and processing.
Castle tours: Duration approx. 30 min .; Start 9.00 a.m., last tour 5.15 p.m. Suitable for the disabled, photography in the rooms is prohibited.
Opening hours:Open every day except on Christmas Eve / Christmas; New Year's Eve / New Year, Shrove Tuesday: Apr. - End of October: 9 am to 6 pm (last tour: 5 pm) or end of October to March: 9:40 am to 4:15 pm (last tour: approx. 3:40 pm [depending on the boat trip], open daily);
Entry:The tickets are sold in the visitor center at the boat dock. From there it is a 1.2 km walk to the castle (approx. 15 to 20 minutes walk). When you buy the ticket, the start of the tour is printed on; in case of doubt, you can ask the staff for a later appointment.
Entrance fees: (Complete ticket Insel 2015 including New Palace, King Ludwig Museum, museum and galleries in the Augustinian Canons' Monastery): - during the exhibition "Royal Class III" (14 May to 27 September 2015): € 10 regular, 9, - € reduced (including students); - from 28 September 2015: 8, - € regular / 7, - € reduced Vocational high schools and business schools;
The "Complete Island Map" is valid for six months from the date of purchase. Only the guided tour through the state rooms in the New Palace has to be taken on the day of purchase.
King Ludwig II. - museum on the ground floor / Herrenchiemsee palace building;
The museum deals with the life of Ludwig II from his birth to the tragic early death and shows busts, historical photographs, and other exhibits such as original ornate robes and luxurious furniture.
Opening times: Apr. - end of Oct .: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., end of Oct. - March: 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., open daily; last admission 30 minutes before closing;
The Augustinian Canons' Monastery is a former monastery from the 18th century and is located directly at the boat landing stage. After the secularization it was used as a castle. In this Old lock is this Constitutional Museum There are also the private rooms that Ludwig II used during the construction phase of Herrenchiemsee, as well as a picture gallery. Photography is also prohibited in this museum. In the outbuildings is a hotel, the terrace of the restaurant offers a view of the lake.
Opening times: April - late October: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. / late October - March: 10 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. last admission 30 minutes before closing
The footpath from the boat dock at the old castle to the new castle (approx. 2 km, 20 minutes) can also be done with the Horse-drawn carriage to be covered.
Hikes on the Herreninsel
The Herreninsel also invites you to hike a. On the idyllic riverside path and in the castle park. A tour of the island shows the whole romantic side of the island.
Cycling, scooter riding and inline skating are prohibited on the island for safety reasons.
Frauenchiemsee island
Also known as "Frauenwörth" or "Fraueninsel", with 15.5 ha. The smaller of the two large islands and populated with a fishing and artists' village.
 Monastery complex |  Bell tower |
The Frauenchiemsee Monastery, founded in the 8th century and re-established by King Ludwig I after the secularization, today offers company and own seminars. In the 19th century the island was discovered by "land addicted" painters from Munich and other cities who founded an artist colony. The island is still a popular motif for painters today and offers other visitors a wide range of gastronomy and artistic handicrafts.
- The Campanile, the free-standing bell tower of the monastery church with origins in the 12th century and its classic Bavarian-Baroque onion dome from 1626. The monastery itself is used as a conference venue and is not open to the public.
- The Carolingian porch from the beginnings of the monastery, one of the oldest preserved buildings in Bavaria;
 Glass art |  Artist colony |
A Flatly around the island leads through the artists' colony, its well-tended colorful gardens and past the monastery. Length approx. 1.5 km; Parts of the bank are used privately, the areas at the monastery can also be used by visitors for swimming.
The Fraueninsel has two Landing points: the Main walkway in the south, it is used for the island tour and the grand tour, and on the north side the North footbridge for the shuttle service to Gstadt. If in doubt, ask the staff at the jetty.
Herb island
Located between Frauen- and Herreninsel and the smallest of the three islands. Popular anchorage for private boats during the bathing season. No regular service! The herb island is uninhabited.
- How to get to the islands by boat from Prien / Stock, see Shipping on the Chiemsee.
activities
No boats with internal combustion engines may be used on the Chiemsee. Electric boats can be rented.
- Diving in the lake according to general decree for diving with breathing apparatus for common use (Art. 21 Para. 1 Clause 3 in conjunction with Art. 22 Bavarian Water Act): no General decree;
- responsible: District Office Traunstein, Tel. (08 61) 58-0 or -376;
sailing
The Chiemsee is an extremely popular sailing area. Around the Chiemsee there are numerous sailing clubs and sailing schools and also the possibility for taster courses or just to sail or rent boats.
See also on Chiemsee sailing.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is also possible on the Chiemsee. There are several surf schools around the lake. There you can borrow material and get started or take a course. There are usually various courses for beginners and advanced learners to choose from. A recognized surfing license from the VDWS (Association of German Water Sports Schools).
See also on Surf school-Chiemsee
kayak
The Chiemsee is also an ideal kayak area. The variety of the scenic variety and the possibilities is extraordinary here. Numerous bays, three islands (Herrenchiemsee, Fraueninsel and the small uninhabited Krautinsel) and the panoramic view of the mountains do not allow boredom and offer many additional leisure activities. There are numerous places to picnic, stop for refreshments and swim everywhere. There are several kayak rental stations on the Chiemsee.
See also on Kayak rental Chiemsee.
SUP (Stand Up Paddling)
This trend sport can also be found at Chiemsee. Simply borrow a board and the paddle that goes with it, or bring it with you, get on and off you go. This sport is relatively easy to learn and suitable for the whole family. There are numerous providers around the lake.
See also on Sup Chiemsee Center.
Regular events
The summer outdoor events at Chiemsee are a bit notorious for the humidity "from above", Rain protection is always useful. In the summer of 2012, visitors to the Chiemsee-Reggae-Summer festival had to be brought under a roof and to safety by the police and fire brigade near the festival area after a lightning strike.
- Chiemsee Reggae Summer. The largest reggae festival in Europe takes place on a weekend in Übersee at Lake Chiemsee in mid-August.
- Herrenchiemsee Festival. invented by Ennoch zu Guttenberg and directed by him as artistic director. Classical music in midsummer.
- Christmas market Fraueninsel. The atmospheric Christmas market on Fraueninsel is known nationwide, it is the only island Christian market in Germany. Always on the first two Advent weekends, with handicrafts, wood carvings, culinary delights and concerts in the cathedral; In the evening until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., that's how long they run Ships.
shop
There are shopping opportunities on the Fraueninsel:
- The monastery shop offers the monastery’s own products such as liqueur, gingerbread, marzipan or herbal sachets, other items such as wood carvings, beeswax candles and literature on religious topics.
Various smaller shops offer fish specialties to eat and take away, among other things:
- Martin Dinzl (fishing, Whitefish, eel, pike, carp, bream, rods & whitefish, also smoked), Frauenchiemsee 22, 83256 Frauenchiemsee. Tel.: 49 8054 902030.
- Fishery Ferber (Pollfischer, beer garden, Fresh Chiemsee fish, smoked fish, eel and whitefish rolls), Frauenchiemsee 2a, 83256 Frauenchiemsee. Tel.: 49 8054 7198.
kitchen
The many fish dishes that are offered all around the lake are recommended. The fish stocks in the lake consist of almost 30 species, and professional fishermen have expanded them to include species that were originally foreign to the area, such as pikeperch, arctic char and eel. The Chiemsee fish sausages are an old specialty, fish sausage meat is brought into sausage form and cooked.
In general, the fish stocks in the lake are endangered by the cormorant and the introduced eel as a spawning predator, an additional risk is the water pollution and the destruction of the spawning grounds of the fish by obstructions in the lower reaches of the Tiroler Ache.
The lake trout, also known as "Chiemseelachs", which used to be common in the past, is considered the finest fish. The Chiemsee salmon is very rare today and is fry from the Tegernsee imported.
Herrenchiemsee
The gastronomy on Herrenchiemsee, the larger island with the royal castle, is quite clear, it is located at the boat landing stage and consists of the fast food at the kiosk and the economy in the old castle.
Frauenchiemsee
The smaller of the two islands has the larger selection of restaurants: There are various restaurants in the settlement, mostly with a beer garden. See also the section accommodation.
- Inselbräu Frauenchiemsee (Bräustüberl, Chiemseefisch), House 28, 83256 Frauenchiemsee. Tel.: 49 8054 90 20 88, Fax: 49 8054 7937.
- Inselwirt. Tel.: 49 8054 630, Fax: 49 8054 7937.
- Klosterwirt Fraueninsel (Bavarian cuisine, fish from the Chiemsee), 83256 Frauenchiemsee 50. Tel.: 49 8054 7765.
security
The Chiemsee is, like all of Bavaria, a safe place.
climate
The Chiemsee is located in the foothills of the Alps and is part of the warm-temperate climate zone. The mean annual temperature is 8 ° C, the average rainfall is around 1600 liters per square meter and year (the mean in Germany = around 750 liters).
Because of the expansion, the lake area often has its own local weather patterns. The Chiemsee is also known for its violent thunderstorms and associated with dangerous storms for sailors, which in midsummer can also be limited to small parts of the Chiemsee.
The Storm warning on the Chiemsee is done by twelve lights:
- 40 flashes of light per minute mean "caution"
- 90 flashes of light per minute is then the storm warning itself.
accommodation
on the Herreninsel
- Herrenchiemsee castle restaurant (Castle Hotel), 83209 Herrenchiemsee. Tel.: 49 8051 69030, Fax: 49 8051 62101.
on the Fraueninsel
- Guest house of the monastery (Benedictine women Frauenwörth). Tel.: 49 8054 907145, Fax: 49 8054 7967.
- Inselhotel zur Linde, 83256 Fraueninsel in the Chiemsee. Tel.: 49 8054 90366, Fax: 49 8054 7299.
More accommodations on the "Mainland": see at the Places on the Chiemsee.
health
| Brief information | |
| Phone code | 49 (0)8054 |
|---|---|
| Post Code | 83256 |
| Mark | Ro |
| Time zone | UTC 1 |
| Emergency call | 112 / 110 |
The closest hospital to the islands is the one RoMed Clinic in Prien am Chiemsee.
Practical advice
trips
- To the south in the mountains to the near ones Chiemgau Alps, ins Mangfall Mountains, or in the Berchtesgaden Alps;
- In the nearby cities Rosenheim, Kufstein, Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, or in the metropolis Munich;
literature
see also in the article on Chiemgau
- : Nature and culture guide Chiemsee. Chiemgau publishing house, ISBN 978-3-00-027398-8 ; 96 pages. € 12.90
- : Natural paradise Chiemsee and Chiemgau Alps. Chiemgau publishing house, ISBN 978-3-00-027398-8 ; 96 pages. € 29.80
- : Chiemsee artist landscape. Munich: Atelier in the farmhouse, 2008, ISBN 978-3881322867 ; 288 pages. about 40.- € The history of the Frauenchiemsee artists' colony.
- : Natural paradise Chiemsee and Chiemgau Alps. Chiemgau publishing house, ISBN 978-3-00-027398-8 ; 96 pages. € 29.80
Maps and guides
- : Around the Chiemsee: A journey of discovery that is not an everyday occurrence ... by bike. Mountain Valley, 2010, ISBN 978-3939499213 ; 176 pages. € 12.90
- Around the Chiemsee: hiking guide with tour maps and elevation profiles. 2011, Compass hiking guide, ISBN 978-3850263771 . 9,95 €
Homeland thriller
- : Chiemsee Blues. Pendragon, 2011, ISBN 978-3865322739 . 10,95 € A woman's hand is found in a viewing pavilion in Prien am Chiemsee on Good Friday.
- : Death at the Chiemsee. Emons, 2012, ISBN 978-3897059856 ; 223 pages. € 9.90
Web links
- Bavarian administration of the state palaces, gardens and lakes
- Herrenchiemsee
- Frauenwoerth Monastery
- Herrenchiemsee
- Frauenchiemsee
- Island tours Fraueninsel
- Chiemsee Tourist Association
- House of Bavarian History: Monasteries in Bavaria; Frauenchiemsee as PDF and Constitutional Convention on Herrenchiemsee;
WebCams:
- Gstadt am Chiemsee, View to the south of the Fraueninsel and the Alps;
- Chieming, View to the southwest; in the background the Chiemgau Alps with high platform (left) and Kampenwand (right);
- Pelham am See Bad Endorf, Nature reserve Chiemgauer Seenplatte with a view of the Pelhamer See, in the background the Chiemgau Alps
