Altötting
Altötting is one of the most important and most visited Catholic pilgrimage destination in Europe. The city is in Upper Bavaria, close to the Austrian border.
Understand
First mentioned in the 8th century (although the first settlements probably date back more than 3000 years), Altötting's ascension as a Catholic pilgrimage destination began in the 9th century with the construction of a first monastery by King Carloman of Bavaria.
Get in
By plane
There are two airports that are suitable for a trip to Regensburg:
- Munich International Airport (MUC IATA), one of the busiest airports in Europe, is located 80 km (50 mi) to the west of the city with many international connections.
- Salzburg International Airport (SZG IATA) is situated 60 km (35 mi) to the south of Altötting and has mostly domestic (Austrian) and a few European connections.
By train
Altötting station is conveniently located just south of the city center, but due to its very small size lacks most amenities of a modern train station. There are hourly connections to Munich (90 min) and Landshut (75 min), and a bihourly connection to Salzburg (105 min). With all connections there is a change of trains in Mühldorf am Inn.
By car
With its rather remote location close to the Austrian border, Altötting isn't so well connected to the German highway network. The most important ones are autobahn A 94 to Munich and federal highway B 20 to Salzburg.
On foot
Altötting, given its importance for German Catholics, is a major destination of pilgrimage. These pilgrimages are mostly organised and go for 120-200 km and 3-5 days.
Get around
Given the city's small size, Altötting is easily navigable on foot. Furthermore, basically all main attractions are located around the central town square.
See
- 1 Basilika St. Anna, Bruder-Konrad-Platz, sekretariat.muenchen@kapuziner.org. 7:00-20:00. The basilika is the largest church in Altötting, with space for up to 8,000 people. The services, that conclude the pilgrimage, are held in this Neo-baroque building. free.
- 2 Conventual Parish Church St. Philipp and Jacob (Stiftspfarrkirche St. Philipp und Jakob), Kapellplatz. 7:00-18:00. The first church at the location dates back to 876, but today's structure was completed in 1511, as the huge number of pilgrims demanded for a bigger church. St. Philipp and Jacob is a Gothic hall church. free.
- 3 Jerusalem Panorama Crucifixion of Christ (Jerusalem Panorama Kreuzigung Christi), Gebhard-Fugel-Weg 10, ☏ +49 8671 6934, info@panorama-altoetting.de. Mar-Oct 10:00-17:00, Nov-Dec 11:00-15:00, Jan-Feb Sa-Su 11:00-15:00. The largest historic panorama in Germany shows the crucifixion scene on a 12 metres high and 95 metres long oil on canvas painting, that surrounds the whole interior of the structure. Adults: €4.50, Concessions: €2.
- 4 New Treasury (Haus Papst Benedikt XVI - Neue Schatzkammer und Wallfahrtsmuesum), Kapellplatz 4, ☏ +49 8671 9242015, haus.papst-benedikt@bistum-passau.de. Feb-Mar M-F 9:00-15:00, Apr-Oct M-Th & Sa 9:00-17:00 F & Su 9:00-15:00. The museum, opened in 2009, is focused on the history of pilgrimage in Altötting. The most valuable exhibit is a gold and enamel altar from 1404, the so called Goldenes Rössl. free.
- 5 Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting (Gnadenkapelle), Kapellplatz. 5:30-20:30. The shrine and the Black Madonna, that is housed in the shrine, are the destination of every pilgrimage to Altötting since 1489. The chapel itself dates back to the 8th century. Three bodies and 28 hearts are buried in the structure, mostly of the royal Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty. Three Catholic popes visited the shrine: Pius VI in 1782, John Paul II in 1980, and Benedict XVI (who was born in the nearby town of Marktl) in 2006. free.
Do
- 1 City Festival (Stadtfest), Kapellplatz. End of July. The annual city funfair is taking place at the end of July around the central Kapellplatz square.
- 2 Parish Fair (Altöttinger Kirta), Dultplatz. around 3rd of Oct. The Parish Fair is an annual one week long fun fair and traditional Bavarian beer festival.
Buy
Around the central Kapellplatz square are numerous shops for devotional objects, such as Black Madonnas in several sizes, rosaries, figures of saints and angles, icons, candles, crosses, and the like. There are also some bookstores on religious matters.
Eat
- 1 Altöttinger Hof (Bavarian), Mühldorfer Straße 1, ☏ +49 8671 5422, info@altoettinger-hof.de. 8:00-0:00. The restaurant with sun terrace is conveniently located at the central square and serves traditional Bavarian food.
- 2 Graminger Weißbräu (Bavarian), Graming 79, ☏ +49 8671 96140, info@graminger-weissbraeu.de. F-W 9:30-0:00. A little outside of Altötting proper, this traditional restaurant serves Bavarian food and brews its own wheat beer.
- 3 Münchner Hof (Bavarian), Kapellplatz 12, ☏ +49 8671 6868. 8:00-0:00. The Bavarian restaurant with sun terrace right at the city's central square is one of the most popular places for visitors.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Zur Post (****), Kapellplatz 2, ☏ +49 8671 5040, info@zurpostaltoetting.de. The hotel is one of the most traditional lodging establishments, first mentioned in 1280. The present-day building was designed by Italian architect Enrico Zuccalli (who also desigend parts of Munich's Nymphenburg Palace) in 1688 and today is the place to stay for bishops and presidents (and everybody else who can afford it), should they visit the city.
Connect
- 1 McDonald's Restaurant, Mühldorfer Straße 67, ☏ +49 8671 969843. 7:00-0:00. The restaurant of this well-known burger chain offers free WiFi on its premises.
Go next
- Marktl. The birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI is about 15 km (9.3 mi) to the east, close to the Austrian border.
- Landshut. The capital of Lower Bavaria is 65 km (40 mi) to the north. The city's main attractions are the quadrennial Landshut Wedding, which takes place in the well preserved medieval city center, and St. Martin's Church, the highest church in Bavaria.
- Munich. Bavaria's state capital and its cultural and economical focal point is 95 km (60 mi) to the east.
- Passau. The university city of Passau at the confluence of rivers Danube, Iller and Ilz, is 80 km (50 mi) to the east, close to the Austrian border.
- Salzburg. The fourth largest city of Austria is 65 km (40 mi) to the south and is not only worth a visit because of The Sound of Music but above all because of its beauty.
| Routes through Altötting |
Munich ←  ← |
W  E |
→ → Passau |
 ←  ← |
N  S |
→ Salzburg →  |
| Landshut ← | NW  S |
→  (Berchtesgaden National Park) |
| Munich ← Mühldorf am Inn ← | W  E |
→ Burghausen |
| Landshut ← Mühldorf am Inn ← | N E |
→ Burghausen |
| Salzburg ← Mühldorf am Inn ← | S E |
→ Burghausen |