The Seven Wonders of Bavaria

The number of World Heritage sites the state of Bavaria can now boast rose recently to seven when UNESCO added the Margravial Opera in Bayreuth to the list of mankind’s fascinating sites most worthy of protection. This magnificent edifice in the centre of Bayreuth is one of the last and definitely one of the most beautiful Baroque theatres in the world that is still in its original form. Long before the UNESCO accolade, this spectacular three-tiered theatre with its magnificent interior decor of cherubs and frescos enjoyed worldwide fame. Commissioned by Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmine von Brandenburg-Kulmbach in the 18th century the Opera House with its incredibly ornate interior of stucco, carvings and paintings is without parallel anywhere in the world. Equally unique, each one in its own inimitable way, are the Bavarian jewels that over the past 30 years have also been inscribed onto this list that officially recognizes the treasures of mankind. Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH presents the seven World Heritage wonders of Bavaria:

Prehistoric pile-dwelling in the Alps

Slumbering just below the earth and waters of Bavaria are evidence of long-gone, historical eras. Many centuries ago a pile-dwelling was the way to go to afford your family protection from wild animals or not so friendly neighbours. Excitingly, recent examinations of finds have shown evidence of the life-style of those that lived here over 6,000 years ago. In 2011 a total of 111 pile-dwelling sites spread over six Alpine countries. Lying unnoticed for centuries, three of these settlements are in Bavaria: Pestenacker and Unfriedshausen near Landsberg am Lech and the prehistoric pile-dwellings on the banks of the Roseninsel in the middle of Lake Starnberg.

Old Town of Regensburg and Stadtamhof

Stand in the historic centre of Regensburg today and the buildings all around you give you an amazing feeling of medieval architecture. As a political hub of the high Middle Ages the city has magnificent examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture that almost exclusively are still in their original form as Regensburg was spared much of the devastation of the Second World War. The Old Town that was inscribed onto UNESCO World Heritage lists back in 2006 comprises 1,000 individual monuments including the world famous stone bridge and the Gothically opulent Regensburg cathedral.

Limes

Stretching some 550 kilometres along its length the Upper Germanic Raetian Limes is the second longest man-made structure in the world, surpassed only by the Great Wall of China. This impressive frontier stretches between Bad Hönningen in the Rhineland Palatinate all the way to Kastell Eining in Bad Gögging, Bavaria. Many of the 900 or so towers, 60 forts and 100 smaller fortifications have been well-preserved or rebuilt according to original plans. Those enjoying particular renown include the distinctive Burgus in Burgsalach, the stone Limes tower near Erkertshofen or the Weißenburg fort. The Limes were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005.

Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Pfaffenwinkel

This "Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Saviour“ is a rococo gem near Steingaden Set against a background of the pristine countryside of the Pfaffenwinkel, this majestic church reveals a breathtakingly beautiful interior. The Church of the Wies that was inscribed as World Heritage in 1983 is considered a perfect masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo. The church was built at the end of the 18th century on this spot as it is here that purportedly a statue of the Virgin Mary was seen to shed real tears.

Würzburg Residential Palace

On the edge of Würzburg’s town centre stands a most prestigious Baroque palace whose stylistic homogeneity has earned it world fame. Built for the Prince Bishops of Würzburg, the palace was erected in less than a generation with construction completed in the second half of the century. Visitors of today are most impressed by the opulent Baroque interior with its world famous stucco and ceiling frescos. Back in 1981 the Würzburg Palace was the very first monument in Bavaria to win the accolade of being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

Margravial Opera: Bayreuth Marketing & Tourismus GmbH, Pile-Dwelling: Pfahlbaumuseum, Limes: Tourismusverband Franken, Bamberg Centre: Bamberg Tourismus & Kongress Service, Residential Palace Würzburg: Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung/Konrad Rainer

BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH (by.TM) is the official marketing body for Bavaria’s tourism and leisure industry. As one of the state’s leading sectors tourism annually records gross turnover of 31 billion Euro, 572,000 bed nights and 81 million overnight stays (including camping) which in turn provides incomes for some 560,000 people state-wide. Bayern is a registered trademark and the strategic body for the professional marketing of the state’s tourism. As owner of the Bayern trademark BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH also makes the trademark available to official licensed partners. Further holiday related brands such as WellVital in Bayern, Kinderland Bayern and Lust auf Natur® together with the hotel brand Sightsleeping and the business brand Gipfeltreffen as well as other product lines such as “Delicious Bavaria” and “Cities & Tours” guarantee target-group oriented, quality controlled products and services which are specifically aimed at clearly defined target groups.

Further information about the wonderful diversity Bavaria has to offer and more about BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH is available at www.bayern.by.