Schloßmuseum Murnau
Murnau – the artists' town on Staffelsee – On the trail of Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter
Nature, art and culture go hand in hand in Murnau. The picturesque area with expansive views of the Alpine range and its changing shimmering blue light, the moor around Murnau and the lake – Staffelsee – inspired the world-famous ‘Blauer Reiter’ artists. Franz Marc even named the region ‘the Blue Land’. The pedestrian precinct with its listed buildings remodelled by Emanuel von Seidl, street cafés and shops has a southern flair and a view of the mountains, inviting visitors to while away the time. The Schloßmuseum in the castle in the centre of the town houses an exceptional collection. Its core comprises works by Gabriele Münter, the artists of the ‘Neue Künstlervereinigung München’ and the ‘Blauer Reiter’ – including Kandinsky, Marianne von Werefkin and Alexej von Jawlensky. The works exhibited show the motifs the artists found for their pictures in Murnau and the surrounding area from 1908 onwards, how they became familiar with Bavarian folk art – especially reverse glass painting – and how they succeeded in taking that decisive artistic step towards a new expressive form of painting.
Gabriele Münter, Selbstbildnis 1909, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2019
Tips for excursions
Murnau art trail
Look for the original motifs used by Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky and compare them with their paintings on a walk around the town of Murnau.
Murnau Moor
Thanks to its size, varied land- scape and its flora and fauna, this wetland moor area forms a unique entity in central Europe.
Münter Haus
Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky lived together in this house from 1909 until 1914. This was where the almanac, ‘Der Blaue Reiter’ was created, among other works of art.
Murnau pedestrian precinct
Remodelled by Emanuel von Seidl, this colourfully painted listed ensemble with its many little shops and cafés is now a conservation area.
The Church of Wies UNESCO World Heritage Site
The pilgrimage church of Wies dedicated to ‘the Scourged Saviour’ is considered the most perfect example of Bavarian Rococo architecture.
Polling artists’ village
Yesteryear today. Former monastery buildings are home to studios, exhibitions and installations by contemporary artists as well as series of concerts of the highest standard.
Staffelsee
With its seven islands and warm water this is one of the most popular lakes for swimming. Our tip: Walk the hiking trail or take a trip on the motor launch.
Hotels in the region
Hotel Angerbräu ***s
Family-run hotel, steeped in tradition, centrally located, own art gallery, wine bar and restaurant serving regional and international dishes.
Alpenhof Murnau *****
Excellent cuisine, spa with outdoor and indoor swimming pools, only 10 min. from the Münter Haus; perfect for relaxing and enjoying the cultural highlights of the area.
Hotel Post garni ***
Situated in the pedestrian precinct and now in the 16th generation, the hotel offers guests an unforgettable stay with a blend of and contemporary styles.
Hotel Griesbräu zu Murnau ****
Our family-run hotel in a historical building with its own brewery is located right in the middle of Murnau.