Murnau
– Blue mountains, bold colours
Tourist-Information Murnau
www.murnau.de
www.murnau.de
Location: Bavaria, South Germany
1 hour from Munich — directly at the foot of the Alps —
30 minutes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
1 hour from Munich — directly at the foot of the Alps —
30 minutes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Just an hour from Munich, Murnau sits at the foot of the Alps — where the light turns blue, the mountains fill the horizon and creativity still fills the air.
This is where Kandinsky, Münter and der Blaue Reiter changed the course of modern art forever.
The ever-changing light and the dramatic Alpine landscape drew some of the most radical artists of the 20th century to this small Bavarian town. Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky made Murnau their home — and their house soon became a magnet for the avant-garde. Franz Marc, August Macke, Marianne von Werefkin, Alexej Jawlensky and even the composer Arnold Schoenberg came here to paint, to think and to reinvent art together. The movement they created — Der Blaue Reiter — changed the course of modern art forever. Today, Murnau still attracts artists and creative minds. Galleries, studios and ateliers keep that spirit very much alive.
The ever-changing light and the dramatic Alpine landscape drew some of the most radical artists of the 20th century to this small Bavarian town. Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky made Murnau their home — and their house soon became a magnet for the avant-garde. Franz Marc, August Macke, Marianne von Werefkin, Alexej Jawlensky and even the composer Arnold Schoenberg came here to paint, to think and to reinvent art together. The movement they created — Der Blaue Reiter — changed the course of modern art forever. Today, Murnau still attracts artists and creative minds. Galleries, studios and ateliers keep that spirit very much alive.
A stroll through Murnau’s art history
This art walk offers an insight into the town’s avant-garde scene, architecture and art history. From the Baroque period to the artists of the ‘Blauer Reiter’ in Murnau, you’ll be following in the footsteps of more than just the Expressionists.
Münter-Haus
The home of Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky — bought by Münter in 1909 and known as the “Russenhaus”. This is where the Blaue Reiter circle gathered, painted and changed art history. Today the house can be visited and gives a vivid impression of life and work in the colony.
Info: muenter-haus.de
Murnau Castle Museum
The centrepiece of the collection consists of works by Gabriele Münter, as well as pieces by artists from the New Artists’ Association of Munich and the ‘Blue Rider’. The exhibits illustrate how, from 1908 onwards, the artists found their subjects in Murnau and the surrounding area, became acquainted in particular with reverse glass painting, and took the decisive artistic step towards a new form of expressive painting here.
Boat trip on Staffelsee
With its seven islands, Lake Staffelsee is one of Bavaria’s most beautiful lakes. The lake offers a stunning panoramic view of the mountains, which has also been depicted in many paintings. A round trip takes around 80 minutes and runs daily from 1 April to 1 November.
Info: staffelsee.org
Accommodation
Alpenhof Murnau — classic Bavarian hotel with panoramic Alpine views
Boutique Hotel Angerer — charming guesthouse with Alpine views and garden, close to the Münter-Haus
Am Eichholz Galerie & Art-Hotel — art-themed rooms right in the heart of Murnau
Hotel Post Murnau— a historic inn in the centre of the old town
Travel recommendations
The Bavarian Alpine foothills not only offer visitors a wonderful experience of nature, but also invite them to discover the fascinating world of the artists’ group ‘Der Blaue Reiter’. Starting from Murnau, Kochel am See, Penzberg, Benried on Lake Starnberg and Munich are excellent places to embark on a journey of discovery through Expressionism.
Combination tip:
Dachau
Prien am Chiemsee
Holzhausen am Ammersee
Brannenburg
Artists who lived here
Marianne von Werefkin (1860 – 1938)
Alexej Jawlensky (1864 – 1941)
Wassily Kandinsky (1866 – 1944)
Gabriele Münter (1877 – 1962)
