Murnau a.Staffelsee: Art, Literature and the Murnauer Moos

Murnau a.Staffelsee combines art and literary history with a distinctive natural landscape: the Castle Museum brings the area’s cultural history to life, while the Murnauer Moos lies south of Murnau. The town also has a historic old town and offers ways to explore in the footsteps of artists and writers. You can choose between exhibitions, local history and landscapes to shape your visit.

Art and literature at the Castle Museum

The Murnau Castle Museum displays works by Gabriele Münter, as well as works by artists from the New Artists’ Association of Munich and Der Blaue Reiter. The artists named include Wassily Kandinsky, Marianne von Werefkin, Alexej Jawlensky, Franz Marc and Heinrich Campendonk. The museum houses the largest collection of Münter’s works on public display. Together with works by the artists in these groups, it offers a glimpse of the different artistic positions that played a role in Murnau’s cultural history.

The exhibition also covers the art and literary history connected with Murnau in the first third of the 20th century. The local crafts represented at the museum include feather flower making and reverse glass painting. The international Dammert Collection broadens this local perspective with works from Europe and Asia that go beyond the region’s own products. The museum also presents the characteristics of the Alpine foothills and Murnau’s local traditions and culture.

Another trail leads to Ödön von Horváth: the Castle Museum devotes an extensive documentation to the playwright. Horváth lived mainly in Murnau from 1924 until his politically forced departure in 1933. Among other works, he wrote the plays “Zur schönen Aussicht” and “Italienische Nacht” there, and began the novel “Jugend ohne Gott.” Those interested in literature can encounter his story both at the museum and on a literary walk through Murnau.

Old town, walks and landscapes

You can explore Murnau’s historic old town independently or as part of a guided tour. An art walk is another activity for visitors to the town. The Münter House offers insights into the lives of the artists associated with it. Advance registration is required for the literary walk in Horváth’s footsteps.

The Murnauer Moos, south of Murnau, offers a different focus. It is the largest contiguous moorland area in Central Europe. Alongside the exhibitions and local history, you can also explore an extensive natural landscape and its distinctive scenery. When planning your trip, consider whether art and literature, the historic old town or the moor will be the main focus of your stay.

These interests can help guide your accommodation search: start by considering which themes and experiences matter most to you. This can help you choose a starting point for your trip that suits your interests, without reducing Murnau’s different sides to a single itinerary.

Another perspective within the wider destination of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The wider destination of Garmisch-Partenkirchen also has its own natural and cultural highlights. At the Partnach Gorge, visitors can walk between towering rock walls and experience the water rushing below. The gorge was declared a natural monument and opened to visitors in 1912. Its landscape is different from the Murnauer Moos south of Murnau.

The Richard Strauss Institute is located in the historic Villa Christina in Partenkirchen’s spa gardens. It houses a permanent exhibition about Strauss’s life and work. The Richard Strauss Festival takes place every June in Garmisch and features performances of his works. As the annual programme may change, check the current dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hechendorf, Ohlstadt, Bad Kohlgrub, Unterammergau, Grainau, Oberammergau, Saulgrub, Ettal.

Back to the main travel overview: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.