The former St. Mang Monastery in Füssen is one of Bavaria's finest Baroque monastic complexes, set right on the banks of the Lech river beneath the Hohes Schloss. Founded in the early 9th century on the site of a hermit's cell, it later grew into a powerful Benedictine abbey shaping the entire region.

Today the monastery, together with the Hohes Schloss above it, defines Füssen's skyline as seen from the surrounding Allgäu Alps. Inside awaits the magnificent Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall) with its allegorical ceiling frescoes, and an extraordinary oval library with an opening looking straight down into the monks' former refectory — a striking architectural symbol of the unity of mind and body. The St. Anna Chapel houses the famous Füssen Totentanz (Dance of Death), a remarkable 17th-century cycle of paintings. The atmosphere is especially charming in spring and autumn light, while summer brings chamber music concerts to the Kaisersaal.

How to get there

• Füssen town center — on foot, approx. 5-10 minutes, easy, suitable for everyone
• Füssen train station — walk along the Lech river, approx. 15 minutes, easy

Practical information

• The south wing houses the Füssen City Museum with the Baroque state rooms
• The north wing contains Füssen's town hall
• The Kaisersaal hosts annual chamber music concerts (June-September) since 1951
• The St. Anna Chapel with the Dance of Death is part of the museum and open to visitors

In 1819 the future Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was baptized here, and after secularization the monastery's library was transferred to the University Library of Augsburg.