The abbey church of Mariä Himmelfahrt in Ettal is one of Bavaria's most striking Baroque churches and a pilgrimage site for the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Ettal. Built as a Gothic twelve-sided rotunda in 1370, its interior later blossomed into a dazzling display of light, gold, and Rococo stucco that leaves visitors speechless.

The monastery sits at the foot of the Laber mountain, surrounded by the meadows and forests of the Ammergau Alps, making it easy to combine a visit with a hike in the region. In summer the courtyards buzz with pilgrims and hikers alike, while in winter snow on the copper dome and curved facade creates a fairy-tale scene. The interior, crowned by Zeiller's dome fresco and Knoller's high altar painting, impresses in any season.

• Ettal village (bus stop/parking near the monastery) - a few minutes on foot, easy
• Hiking trails from Oberammergau or Ettal towards the Laber and surrounding peaks pass near the abbey, allowing visitors to combine sightseeing with mountain hiking

• The church has held the title of Basilica minor since 1920
• It houses the famous statue of Our Lady of Ettal, carved before 1330
• The organ dates from 1753, its case from 1768
• Six cast-steel bells were cast in 1947
• The Memorial Chapel serves as a 'winter church' for services in the colder months

Legend has it that Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian's horse knelt spontaneously before the Marian image on the very spot where the monastery would later be built.