Planegg: Maria Eich, culture and the Würm

Planegg brings together a historic pilgrimage site, church art, cultural events at several venues and a bathing spot on the Würm. This gives visitors a choice of very different ways to spend their time: prayer and outdoor activities, an evening of music or theatre, or time by the river. When planning your stay, consider which of these aspects you would like to focus on.

Maria Eich: Pilgrimage, woodland and trails

Maria Eich lies in the Kreuzlinger Forst forest and the Würm Valley, southwest of Munich. The devotion practised here is associated with a statue of the Virgin Mary that was placed in an oak tree at the beginning of the 18th century. The pilgrimage site has benches beneath old and young trees, where visitors can rest and pray. The Baroque Chapel of Grace and the modern pilgrimage church are open to visitors.

Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will also find plenty to do here: cycle paths, hiking trails and walking routes pass by Maria Eich. The pilgrimage route to Maria Eich is mostly flat, with gentle inclines at bridges and underpasses. Pilgrims can return by S-Bahn from Planegg station. Check public transport connections before travelling.

The Maria Eich annual programme provides an overview of special services, concerts and retreats. Check in advance which events fall within your travel dates. This lets you combine a visit to the pilgrimage site with a specific event, without limiting your stay to one form of devotion.

Churches and culture in Planegg

In Martinsried, St Martin’s Church is the historic focal point of the old village centre. The church was first documented in 1180. Its notable interior features include three Renaissance-influenced altars and two 18th-century crosses: a processional cross and a pulpit cross. The long history of this church and its varied artworks give a visit a different character from a trip to the Maria Eich pilgrimage site.

Another architectural landmark is the Waldkirche (Forest Church). It was built in 1926 to designs by Munich architect Theodor Fischer. The Kulturforum Planegg, meanwhile, presents cultural programmes across several artistic disciplines at a number of venues. The Kupferhaus offers subscription series for concerts, theatre and cabaret; its main hall seats 450 guests. Programmes and subscription options may change. If you are travelling for a particular event, check the latest dates.

Swimming on the Würm

At Planegg’s bathing spot, you can swim in the river and sunbathe on the adjacent meadow. It is a free public bathing spot, not an official swimming facility with lifeguards and set opening hours. Check the local bathing conditions before using it. Time by the water offers a distinct alternative to visiting churches and cultural events.

Planegg as a place to relax

Planegg became a recreational destination for Munich, particularly after the Pasing–Starnberg railway line opened in 1854. This historic connection complements the range of things to do in the area today: pilgrimage and trails around Maria Eich, church art in Martinsried, cultural events and the bathing spot on the Würm. When looking for accommodation in Planegg, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. If you are planning an evening of culture, current event dates are important; for a trip to Maria Eich, the pilgrimage route and return journey are relevant, while bathers should check the local conditions.

Discover more destinations: Unterhaching, Ismaning, Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, Neubiberg, Oberschleißheim, Straßlach-Dingharting, Munich Airport, Feldkirchen.

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