Garmisch-Partenkirchen

About

This valley town was two separate entities for centuries, with the older Partenkirchen dating back to around 15 AD. Periodic outbreaks of bubonic plague, and crop failures raised valley tensions, leading to a witch hunts. Between 1589–1596, over 10 percent of the population was burned at the stake or garroted. Werdenfels Castle, where the trials took place, became an object of superstitious terror and was dismantled in the 17th century. Its stones were used to build the baroque St. Martin’s church. This replaced the nearby Gothic church, parts of which predated Christianity. The towns were joined by Adolf Hitler for the 1936 Winter Olympic games, and the stadium is open to the public. To best experience classic Bavaria, take a walk down cobblestoned Ludwigstrasse, with its vibrantly painted buildings and cozy shops.