Gräfelfing: Garden City on the Würm

Gräfelfing brings together the Würm, an open garden city characterised by villas, and a long local history. The Würm floodplains, recreational activities at the Anger and the architectural history around St. Stephen’s each add a different dimension. When planning a trip, you can consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.

Garden City and the Würm Landscape

Historically, Gräfelfing and Lochham were small villages along the Würm. The river is also a visible part of the townscape: Gräfelfing has a garden-city character, with villas and spacious, open development along the lower Würm. A blue wavy band on the municipal coat of arms recalls the river. The Würm floodplains are considered suitable for cycling or jogging, making it possible to explore the landscape by bike or on foot.

A cycling route along the Würm runs from Pasing through Gräfelfing and Gauting to Starnberg. It connects several places along the river on a clearly defined route. Another distinctive feature by the river is the waterwheel, which has stood at its present location at Mesnersteg since 1998. The waterside landscape is thus both part of the townscape and a destination for outdoor activities.

Local History on the Würm

The Old St. Stephen’s Church stands at Würmstraße 1, by the Würm bridge, and was first documented in 802. Its Late Gothic architecture is evident, among other features, in the characteristic Late Gothic net-vaulted ceiling. Inside are red marble tomb slabs dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Catholic parish church of St. Stephen is largely a Gothic reconstruction from 1473, built on the site of an earlier Romanesque church; in 1728 it was extended to the west and remodelled in the Baroque style. St. Stephen’s was under the authority of Rottenbuch Abbey from 1206 to 1790. St. Stephen’s is also considered one of the original parishes of the Würm Valley.

This architectural and local history spans several periods, from the first documentary mention through the Gothic reconstruction to later Baroque alterations. Seeholzen Castle is also part of the town’s history. The former estate stood at the entrance to Pasinger Straße, on the grounds of today’s St. Gisela care home. The railway connection changed Gräfelfing and the Würm Valley as destinations for day trips.

Recreational Activities at the Anger

The Anger recreation area combines a Kneipp pool, a fitness trail, a boules court, a Bavarian curling lane, a playground and a water playground. The water playground is beside a renaturalised side channel of the Würm and has a shallow bank for educational water play. This means the Anger offers a range of activities side by side: exercise on the fitness trail, boules or Bavarian curling, and play by the water. This offers a different focus for planning your day than a longer bike ride along the river.

The water playground connects the Würm with a specific recreational activity. If you are travelling with children, you can include it as an idea in your plans without making the entire outing about a single activity. Together with the Anger’s other amenities, it lets you shape the day around different interests; the Würm floodplains and local architectural history are also among the features that define Gräfelfing.

Gräfelfing as a Place to Stay

When choosing accommodation, you can first decide whether the Würm landscape, local history or recreational activities at the Anger are the main focus of your trip. The two S-Bahn stations and the well-developed public transport network are also useful local reference points when considering how you will get around. Gräfelfing therefore offers several ways to shape your stay: a route along the river, historic architecture or a range of activities in the recreation area.

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