in the Alps...Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch nestles in Germany's Alps, a famous resort town and the capital of Alpine Bavaria, it is situated at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain (2,962 m). Close to the border of Austria making it is a short trip by train or car...Originally these two towns where merged in 1936 for the Winter Olympics, they where founded by the Romans(1100-year-old). Of the two original towns that make up its name, Garmisch is more upmarket, with many boutiques, restaurants and a Casino. Alpine skiing which the area is reknowned for, is at its best, and of course in the summer the mountains are wonderful for hiking.
Visiting Garmisch and Partenkirchen in July or August, you will celebrate "Folklore Weeks" (Heimatwochen) including performances by local groups and colorful processions featuring traditional costumes and music.
Visiting Garmisch and Partenkirchen in July or August, you will celebrate "Folklore Weeks" (Heimatwochen) including performances by local groups and colorful processions featuring traditional costumes and music.
old painting by Anton Doll
Crest for Garmisch-Partenkirchen
beautiful painting
another beautiful painting of the mountains
a gorgeous painting
MY TRIP
back to Garmisch after 50 years
Garmisch a town, or call it a village in the Bavarian Alps, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I was lucky enough to have lived there after the war, until 1950 when my mother, sister and I immigrated to America.
Amazingly 51 years later my husband and I visited Germany and went to Garmisch, it actually has not changed, even the cows still have their bells around their necks and they come into town at 4:00 pm from the valley hills back to their barns that they knew with instinct...for years I told my husband the story about the cows and how they found their way back every day to the individual houses/barns, he had a hard time believing me, till he saw it for himself.
One of the highlights to my visit there, was to show my husband where we lived. While parking on an off street, we started to walk towards the church that sat in the background, knowing I lived across the street from that church.. we proceeded walking in that direction. Without realizing it, I started to walk quite fast leaving my husband Al and cousin Trixi behind...I had transcended back into my childhood I was walking in familiar alleyways'... then all of a sudden there was the street, straight ahead to the building I once lived in. Ww walked through the breezeway of the building and immediately went into a Jewelry shop which was on the street floor of this building. The man that owned the store gave my sister and me going away gifts, gold necklaces with Angles on them ... in my excitement I was not thinking about the man already being old when we left, so obviously he would not be here anymore...I asked the woman in the shop if she knew anyone that was familiar about this building, she said, "yes, the clothing store owner next door knows everything"
We went next door, to the clothing store, now featuring Tommy Hilfiger...as I walked in with a copy of a 51 year old photograph of me and our neighbor boys from the building...a young man approached me and asked if he could help us, I told him in my broken German the situation and showed him the photocopy of the boys I was looking for...he said, "that's my father and uncle!" I about fell down, I was so excited...within minutes I was reunited with the boys, who now where grown men my age. One of them owned the clothing shop and the other was the city architect. They both remembered me and my sister, even our nicknames, ironicly they had just recently talked about us, wondering what ever happened to us.
Then the next day we where invited back to the shop, this is when I found out that he owned the whole building. We where invited upstairs to his place for breakfast, this was next door to where we once lived, which he also now owned and incorporated into his living quarters...it was absolutely beautiful, the breakfast room was just as it was 50 years ago, very authentic Bavarian, beautiful beyond description. I got to spend the morning with the brothers and the one who owned the building once was the Mayor as was his father at one time, he made arrangements for me to go and visit my fathers grave (which was not there anymore, but I found the spot where my dad is, just grass now) I even found my way to the cemetery, and even the area my dad was buried...the trees had grown large over 50 years and made the appearence different, but my instinct told me where the grave had been...I actually had only been there a couple of times as a young girl, but the memory was ingrained. This was a day to remember and one of the happiest days of my life, cause I got to relive a memory, even though painful it was so cathartic.
Amazingly 51 years later my husband and I visited Germany and went to Garmisch, it actually has not changed, even the cows still have their bells around their necks and they come into town at 4:00 pm from the valley hills back to their barns that they knew with instinct...for years I told my husband the story about the cows and how they found their way back every day to the individual houses/barns, he had a hard time believing me, till he saw it for himself.
One of the highlights to my visit there, was to show my husband where we lived. While parking on an off street, we started to walk towards the church that sat in the background, knowing I lived across the street from that church.. we proceeded walking in that direction. Without realizing it, I started to walk quite fast leaving my husband Al and cousin Trixi behind...I had transcended back into my childhood I was walking in familiar alleyways'... then all of a sudden there was the street, straight ahead to the building I once lived in. Ww walked through the breezeway of the building and immediately went into a Jewelry shop which was on the street floor of this building. The man that owned the store gave my sister and me going away gifts, gold necklaces with Angles on them ... in my excitement I was not thinking about the man already being old when we left, so obviously he would not be here anymore...I asked the woman in the shop if she knew anyone that was familiar about this building, she said, "yes, the clothing store owner next door knows everything"
We went next door, to the clothing store, now featuring Tommy Hilfiger...as I walked in with a copy of a 51 year old photograph of me and our neighbor boys from the building...a young man approached me and asked if he could help us, I told him in my broken German the situation and showed him the photocopy of the boys I was looking for...he said, "that's my father and uncle!" I about fell down, I was so excited...within minutes I was reunited with the boys, who now where grown men my age. One of them owned the clothing shop and the other was the city architect. They both remembered me and my sister, even our nicknames, ironicly they had just recently talked about us, wondering what ever happened to us.
Then the next day we where invited back to the shop, this is when I found out that he owned the whole building. We where invited upstairs to his place for breakfast, this was next door to where we once lived, which he also now owned and incorporated into his living quarters...it was absolutely beautiful, the breakfast room was just as it was 50 years ago, very authentic Bavarian, beautiful beyond description. I got to spend the morning with the brothers and the one who owned the building once was the Mayor as was his father at one time, he made arrangements for me to go and visit my fathers grave (which was not there anymore, but I found the spot where my dad is, just grass now) I even found my way to the cemetery, and even the area my dad was buried...the trees had grown large over 50 years and made the appearence different, but my instinct told me where the grave had been...I actually had only been there a couple of times as a young girl, but the memory was ingrained. This was a day to remember and one of the happiest days of my life, cause I got to relive a memory, even though painful it was so cathartic.
the building I lived in (Photo by Bond)
upstairs on the left side, right side balcony
the clothing store corner (photo Michael T. Schumacher)
cows coming home in front of the building I lived in (H.Huber photo)
stacking hay, just like I used to do...
the Church I lived across the street from...this is an old image not many buildings
Hotel Marktplatz I passed everyday going to school
My school straight ahead, now a radio station
Fruhling Strasse, I walked there many times
same street as above Fruhling St. Antique postcard
Hey Skiers!
Do you like to ski? this is the best place to visit and ski in the Winter.
Did you know the 1936 Olympics where held there?
Garmisch in the Winter
Garmisch-Partenkirchen also known for the 1936 WINTER OLYMPICS .
If you are a snow skiing buff this place is a must for you, besides the beauty, it has so much history.
As a little girl I use to go to this Olympic facility, my dad lived there part of the Winter as well as up the mountain teaching skiing.
I have photos of us there...even photos of my mom having dinner and watching a skating show with US Army generals.
In 1936 the Nazi Olympics where held three years before World War II, Adolf Hitler turned the Berlin Games into a tense spectacle designed to showcase 'Aryan superiority'
This was the fourth Winter Olympics were opened by Hitler. Although not as politically charged as the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, the event was manipulated by the Nazi regime, which suppressed unfavourable press coverage and staged lavish celebrations to mark the openings of new facilities. The IOC had forbidden Germany to exclude Jews from its Olympic team.
To this day the Olympic Ice Rink are still used as venues for many competitions, and being visited by interested sports groups. As far as the Olympic ski jumping stadium and hill, I believe that might have been taken down this year. Part of the Olympic bobsled course also remains well preserved: On a walk around Lake Riessersee, you can still see the finishing area, bobsled lift, and bobsled shed, and a keen eye can detect the route of the former bobsled run above the lake, near Forst Street...I have a painting that my dad did of a bobsled team.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics
As a little girl I use to go to this Olympic facility, my dad lived there part of the Winter as well as up the mountain teaching skiing.
I have photos of us there...even photos of my mom having dinner and watching a skating show with US Army generals.
In 1936 the Nazi Olympics where held three years before World War II, Adolf Hitler turned the Berlin Games into a tense spectacle designed to showcase 'Aryan superiority'
This was the fourth Winter Olympics were opened by Hitler. Although not as politically charged as the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, the event was manipulated by the Nazi regime, which suppressed unfavourable press coverage and staged lavish celebrations to mark the openings of new facilities. The IOC had forbidden Germany to exclude Jews from its Olympic team.
To this day the Olympic Ice Rink are still used as venues for many competitions, and being visited by interested sports groups. As far as the Olympic ski jumping stadium and hill, I believe that might have been taken down this year. Part of the Olympic bobsled course also remains well preserved: On a walk around Lake Riessersee, you can still see the finishing area, bobsled lift, and bobsled shed, and a keen eye can detect the route of the former bobsled run above the lake, near Forst Street...I have a painting that my dad did of a bobsled team.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics
at Lake Riessersee, Olympic speed skating and ice hockey
At Lake Riessersee they performed Olympic speed skating events and ice hockey matches. That year also was the Combined Alpine Event when it first became part of the Winter Olympics. Slalom races were held on Gudiberg Mountain and the downhill races on Kreuzeck Mountain.
Riessersee Olympic 1936
Riesser See(Lake), a place I walked to many times
500,000 attended the last days of the '36 OLYMPICS
An efficient bus service allowed 500,000 people to attend the final day's events. For the first time Alpine skiing events were included, this led to a major controversy. The IOC, overruling the International Ski Federation (FIS), declared that ski instructors could not take part in the Olympics because they were professionals. Incensed, the Austrian and Swiss skiers boycotted the events with the exception of a few Austrians who decided to become Germans and take part. The dispute carried on after the Games and it was decided that skiing would not be included in the 1940 Olympics. Sonja Henie earned her third gold medal and Karl Schäfer his second.
cross on top of the Zugspitze (photo found on the internet)
ARMED FORCES RECREATION CENTER
George C. Marshall Center
Interesting note, the United States forces moved into the valley in April 1945 and immediately established a military post and a recreation center. The Armed Forces Recreation Center, AFRC has run a vacation and recreational program to support the US military in Germany for over 50 years. The facilities include hotels in Garmisch and Chiemsee, with accommodations for over 500 hotel guests per night. Not only that, Garmisch is the headquarters for the Area Support Team (AST) that provides community support to the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies and the NATO School in also nearby in Oberammergau.My mother worked for the Army Base, teaching German and also working in the PX, all this because she spoke fluent English...we met many soldiers and one helped us come to the the United States by finding us a sponsor.
Garmisch Bahnhof 'Train Station' where we arrived
I love this 1953 Traveltalk
this is around the time I lived there
I occasionally see this short on TCM and happen to find it on YouTube...it's old but so very Bavarian
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daily painting...
I started a series of miniature paintings of my childhood...hop over and check it out!once in a while...painting a day
So now you know something about Garmisch in the Alps
make sure you go all the way to the bottom of the lens.
I had fun making this lens, very cathartic and brought back many wonderful memories...let me know if you enjoyed it...I will be adding more, so come back. Check out EBAY and AMAZON!
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- Spook Spook Nov 9, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
- I visited Garmisch and loved it there. It was in my youth, 78,79 or 80. An American serviceman noticed us in Munich and took us there where we stayed in a barracks. Went to the winter olympics stadium of 36 as well. In and around was the first time I had ever seen snow, even though it was early summer. I'm so glad you were able to go back and have such happy memories. Blessed by an Angel.
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- CXpressions CXpressions Jul 25, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
- Just spent 11 days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen... well, it was our base and we toured the region from there. You did not mention the absolutely stunning gorge/waterfalls that are on the way to Grasek (sp) when hiking behind the ski jump/stadium (which is still there and is still used for a variety of events).
Thanks for sharing how it was back then - I don't think it has changed much and that is a wonderful thing!
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- OneFootPutt OneFootPutt Apr 30, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
- What an amazing story. I was in Garmisch during the winter in the late 70's with my parents while we lived in Frankfurt. One of my foundest memories is my mom standing under a snow covered tree and saying "I love snow", and on queue, the tree dumped its snow on her. I also remember learning how to ski around Garmisch and sledding. Thanks for the trip back to memory lane.
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- papawu papawu Apr 2, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
- Hi Delia! How are you?! Well it sounds like you had a nostalgic and wonderfully memorable trip. Loved this lens with the fantastic pics and vivd descriptions.
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- ratso ratso Mar 24, 2009 @ 7:31 am
- Excellent lens, I love the variety of images of this beautiful country. 5*
- Load More
Stuff about Garmisch on Amazon
![Historic Print (M): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: German shotputter in action]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F8EzPNl%2BL._SL75_.jpg)
Historic Print (M): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: German shotputter in action]
Amazon Price: $246.25 (as of 12/05/2009) 
![Historic Print (L): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: looking across valley towards mountains]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XiJ0MV-XL._SL75_.jpg)
Historic Print (L): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: looking across valley towards mountains]
Amazon Price: $233.75 (as of 12/05/2009)
![Historic Print (S): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: Canadian hockey team on bench]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XIOIWMKoL._SL75_.jpg)
Historic Print (S): [1936 Olympics at Garmisch and Munich: Canadian hockey team on bench]
Amazon Price: $171.25 (as of 12/05/2009)
Garmisch Pattenkirchen, Germany Jigsaw Puzzle 1500pc
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
a painting from the Partenkirchen side
Print of "Low Pass' by Phillips
find Garmisch items on eBay
from souvenirs, postcards and saddles
there are always Garmisch items for bid...just go there from here
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
murals on buildings
another painting on a House (photo by Bond)
Flickr Photos of Garmisch and Zugspitze
Bushaltestelle vor G...
GEP eröffnet in Gar...
Alpenpanorama währe...
Hotel & Wellness...
Zugspitze Panorama
Zugspitze
automatically generated by Flickr
Blog Posts from Google
eventhough most of these blogs are in German, look at the beautiful photos they have taken...or click on a link that has travel information on Garmisch
by d-artist
This is the place I lived in before coming to America...and I had a chance after 50 years to go back and visit...here is the story and some informa...
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