The story goes all the way back to 1076, when two hermits named Otto and Adalbert built a small cell with a little church up here. That tiny hermitage grew into a monastery, which was later moved to Fischbachau and eventually to Scheyern. But the village stayed put. And this year it celebrated together with Scheyern Abbey: 950 years of history.
In early July we threw a big celebration, with a festival tent up on the Seeberg, a festive church service, a parade through town, and several days packed with events. I live here, and on this page I'm keeping a record of what the festival was like. The photos will follow bit by bit.
A village celebrates its history
Ten short films tell the story of how a monastic cell from 1076 turned into the village of Bayrischzell. Every Sunday we release a new episode.
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Mönchskleidung und Jeans sind eigentlich Geschwister — beide begannen als Arbeitskleidung. Eine augenzwinkernde Geschichte über Schwarz als Haltung, Burgunderschwarz als Statussymbol und die Frage, was Mode mit Überzeugung zu tun hat.
Kloster Scheyern
Der Weg, der hier begann
1076 stiftet Gräfin Haziga bei Bayrischzell eine Klosterzelle — der Beginn dessen, was später das Hauskloster der Wittelsbacher in Scheyern wird. Über Fischbachau und den Petersberg führt der Weg dorthin. Und am Ende immer wieder zurück nach Bayrischzell.
Kloster Scheyern
Zwei Männer, ein Tal
Die Geschichte von Bayrischzell und dem Kloster Scheyern beginnt nicht mit einem Bauwerk, sondern mit Stille. Zwei Eremiten, Otto und Adalbert, ziehen sich in den Nordwald zurück. Aus ihrer Einsamkeit — und der Unterstützung der Gräfin Haziga — wird eine Bewegung, die das ganze Tal erschließt.
Kloster Scheyern
Alte Psalmen, neue Sprache
Kloster Scheyern
Haziga, die Gründerin
Alles begann mit einer Frau: Gräfin Haziga gründete vor fast 950 Jahren das Kloster und wurde zur Stammmutter der Wittelsbacher. Woher sie kam, weiß bis heute niemand genau. Eine Porzellan-Skulptur von Margit Grüner denkt sie neu.
Kloster Scheyern
Woher der Name kommt
Frei ab So., 12. Juli
Eine Klosterzelle heute
Frei ab So., 19. Juli
Zwölf Mönche aus Hirsau
Frei ab So., 26. Juli
Die gestaltete Landschaft
Frei ab So., 2. August
Woher das Wissen kam
Frei ab So., 9. August
Festival week, July 2 to 6, 2026
At 7:00 p.m. the first keg was tapped in the festival tent on the Seeberg. The Bayrischzell brass band played. This was the official kickoff, the evening when the whole village came together.
For the 10th time, the Bayrischzell folk dancers put on their traditional Goaßmaß festival. Oberland Express provided the music, along with a bar and full catering.
A rousing tent festival with the South Tyrolean band Naturnser Böhmische. The festival tent stayed lively all evening long.
The highlight of the whole anniversary. The day started with a festive church service in front of the town hall. After that, the parade wound through town all the way to the festival tent on the Seeberg, where everyone came together to celebrate 950 years.
The relaxed wind-down. A Kesselfleisch dinner (boiled pork) in the festival tent, with the Bayrischzell brass band playing one last time.
How the anniversary went
The photos from the festival days will be added here bit by bit. We're starting with opening night, and over the next few days the shots from the main festival day with the church service and parade will follow.
A short documentary about the anniversary
One more short film is in the works for the anniversary. Not a promo video chasing a big audience, but a keepsake film for Bayrischzell. As soon as it's finished, you'll find it here and on my YouTube channel.
What else is happening in the anniversary year
Art all over town. Scattered across the whole village, you'll find artworks out in public spaces, a proper art trail through Bayrischzell with far more than just a handful of sculptures. On view through mid-September 2026. You'll simply come across them on a stroll through town, no admission, no museum, just out in the open.
Film screening: "From the Origins to Today, Scheyern Abbey Now." On July 15 and October 7, 2026, both at 7:30 p.m. at the Peterhofkino in Bayrischzell. A 15-minute film about the monks' daily life at Scheyern Abbey today, followed by a talk from one of the monks about the abbey and its history, going all the way back to its founding in Bayrischzell. If you're curious about that historical connection, don't miss it.
Adult education program. The Bayrischzell adult education center is centering its summer term on the anniversary, with courses on the region's history, culture, traditions, and art.
From cell to monastery, and what remained of both
Most people know Bayrischzell as a vacation spot or as the backdrop for the German TV series "Frühling." Hardly anyone knows that the village has one of the oldest monastic origins in all of Old Bavaria.
In 1076, the hermits Otto and Adalbert built a cell with a little church on the site of today's Bayrischzell. The founding is tied to Countess Haziga and the early Wittelsbach dynasty.
In 1077, the little church was consecrated.
In 1079/1080, the hermitage became a full-fledged monastery, the "monastery in the cell."
In 1085, the monastery was moved to Fischbachau, and later to Scheyern. Bayrischzell lived on as a settlement, and the name "Zell" (cell) is still tucked into the town's name to this day.
In 2026, Bayrischzell and Scheyern Abbey together celebrated 950 years. The place where it all began, and the abbey where the story carried on.
If you're coming to Bayrischzell now
The big festival is over, but the art trail through town is still up through mid-September. If that's what brings you here, or if you just happen to swing by, here are a few tips.
Getting here: Bayrischzell has its own train station (BOB/BRB from Munich). By car, take the B307. You'll find up-to-date info on my weather and planning page.
Where to stay: A small handpicked list of places I know personally is right here.
Where to eat: You'll find my restaurant tips for Bayrischzell here. On nice summer days, it's best to reserve ahead.
