Discover Greifenberg: Churches, history and the Windach Valley

Greifenberg combines church art and local history with a circular hike through the Windach Valley. The Herrgottsruh Chapel dates back to the 17th century, while the parish church of Maria Immaculata surprises visitors with its spatial layout. The Schlosswiesen Bridge and its access routes also reflect the area’s connection with nature: they are located in the NATURA 2000 “Windach” Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a European protected area for nature and landscape. The Schlosswiesen Bridge has been closed since mid-2021.

The chapel and the parish church: two distinct stories

The Herrgottsruh Chapel was built in 1695 by the Ziegler innkeeper family. Its altar depicts Christ at rest, flanked by Saints Sebastian and Wendelin. At the top is a half-length figure of God the Father within a wreath of clouds. Three other small figures were stolen in 1967. The altar furnishings can therefore be examined more closely through the surviving figures and their different positions, without confusing the individual motifs.

At the parish church of Maria Immaculata, by contrast, both the architecture and the artistic furnishings take centre stage. A large honeycomb window forms the side aisle, at the end of which is the Chapel of Our Lady. A separate baptistery was also added. The furnishings include a triumphal cross by Professor Heinrich Kirchner, as well as works by sculptors Johannes Dumansky, Hans Kreuz and Erich Sinz. The comparison reveals two different approaches: the specific altar figures define the focus described at the Herrgottsruh Chapel, while the parish church is characterised by its layout and the named works of art.

The area’s former administrative history is also part of its character. Greifenberg was one of several places in the former Hofmark, which was administered from Greifenberg Castle. This historical context adds another perspective to the architectural and artistic history: it presents Greifenberg as part of a former administrative structure, without equating the Hofmark with present-day jurisdictions.

Through the Windach Valley to Greifenberg

A circular hike starts and ends in Oberschondorf. It goes through the Windach Valley to Greifenberg and then along Karwendelstraße to the parish church of the Mother of God of the Immaculate Conception. The start and end point are important when planning the route: Greifenberg lies on the described circular route, while Oberschondorf is both its starting point and its end. The closed Schlosswiesen Bridge should not be planned as a usable crossing; this does not mean that the hike follows a route over the bridge.

Another historical point of interest is the former Warmbad in Greifenberg. It reopened as a summer swimming pool in May 2022. If you plan to go for a swim, check in advance whether the pool is open during your visit; its reopening at that time says nothing about current opening hours.

Within the wider destination of Landsberg Am Lech

Landsberg Am Lech also offers distinctive cultural attractions. The Bayertor in Landsberg am Lech has stood since 1425 and is considered one of Bavaria’s finest Gothic buildings. The Mutterturm is an extraordinary monument to Historicism, built by Herkomer in honour of his mother. The Landsberg am Lech City Museum combines the interpretation of local history with questions of the present day. On the Leitenberg, it also offers one of the finest views of the city. Alongside Greifenberg’s church and walking themes, these provide further historical and cultural highlights within the wider destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Windach, Hurlach, Landsberg Am Lech, Pürgen, Rott, Scheuring, Thaining, Vilgertshofen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Landsberg Am Lech.