Andechs and Schongau (7/1/2019)

Monday, July 1, 2019
We checked out of the Hotel Metropole and dragged our luggage a few blocks to the car rental agency. After paperwork, we were sent another few blocks to a parking garage to pick up a sporty Ford Focus. It had an integrated GPS system, which directed us out of the city of München/Munich. I had planned a route along the Starnbergersee/Lake Starnberg, but the GPS took us on a faster route to Andechs, even bypassing slower traffic on one highway.
The car also had a full-surround collision warning system, so it was always beeping at us if anything came within a foot of the car. Best of all was that the engine cut off whenever you stopped for more than a few seconds, to save on emissions. Once you let up on the brake, the car started again.

Andechs Klosterbrauerei/Monastery Brewery, just to show how
extensive it was; the monastery also had its own distillery

Modern art in front of the hops plants (KSS)

Klostermetzgerei/Monastery Butchery

A view down on the butchery, white stable, and brewery beyond,
from the Andechser Bräustüberl/Andechs Brew Pub

First you line up to pay for your beverages

Next you hand in your ticket for the drinks

Andechs beer is supposed to be the best in Germany;
Kent would agree

We shared a pretzel and Regensburger Würste/sausages

Then we had another climb up to the pilgrimage church

Multiple sizes of Opferkerzen/votive candles

Whoa! The church (1423-1427) is dedicated to
St Nicholas of Myra and St Elizabeth of Thuringia
(relics belonging to the two saints are part of a large
treasury of relics here); and in 1755 was decorated in
Rococo-style by Johann Baptist Zimmermann

Crosses of gratitude left by pilgrims

Onion-dome topped bell tower

Klostergasthof/Monastery inn

Biergarten/Beer garden

Kent with a wooden monk

An Andechser (2012, by Johannes Rössle)

St Vitus Church in Erling, with the lower
section of a Maypole to the left

Storm clouds rolling in over the flat area SE of München/Munich

Entering to Altstadt/Old Town of Schongau through Maxtor/Max gate

Old Town and Polizeidienerturm/Policeman Tower (13C)

Ballenhaus/Bale warehouse (rebuilt 1515)

Richterhaus/Judge's House (1443?)

Rathaus/Town Hall (1922, by Oswald Bieber)

Stadtpfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt/Parish Church of
the Assumption, a highlight of sacral architecture,
was consecrated in 1754

Church of the Assumption interior with high altar
(by Franz Xaver Schmädl after design by Ignaz Günther);
stucco work by Dominikus Zimmermann

Ceiling fresco by Matthäus Günther

Presentation of the Seven Virtues diorama (KSS)

Pulpit and confessional

Relics labeled as St Constantine

Marienplatz/Square of Our Lady with fountain

Next: Füssen.