Oberau: Nativity Scenes, Local History and a Natural Lake

Oberau combines cultural discoveries with a distinctive natural attraction: the nativity scene exhibition features displays from several cultural traditions, the “Das goldene Au” themed trail presents the town’s history, and the Alpine swimming pool has a large natural lake fed by a spring. If you are considering Oberau as a holiday destination, you can decide whether you would like to focus on culture, local history, water or a mix of these interests.

Nativity Scene Art and Oberau’s Local History

Covering more than 100 m², the Oberau nativity scene exhibition showcases scenes from Alpine, southern Italian and Oriental cultural traditions. The exhibition thus connects Oberau’s location with a range of cultural contexts. It offers a clear cultural focus if you enjoy exploring traditions and their forms of expression while on holiday.

From Oberau station, go through the underpass and turn right onto Schmiedeweg; after about 150 m, the nativity scene exhibition is on the left.

The “Das goldene Au” themed trail offers a different perspective on Oberau, presenting the town’s varied history. While the nativity scene exhibition features Alpine, southern Italian and Oriental cultural traditions, the themed trail focuses on local history. If you are planning your trip around a cultural theme, you can choose between different subjects rather than grouping every experience under a single heading.

The Natural Lake as a Holiday Focus

The Oberau Alpine swimming pool has a large natural lake fed by a spring. This offers a different focus from the nativity scene exhibition and history trail: here, the water takes centre stage. If you are planning to spend time at the Alpine swimming pool, you can take this feature into account when choosing your holiday destination. If you are planning a visit for a particular day, check the opening times beforehand.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Oberau, it can help to first decide what kind of holiday you want: will nativity scenes, local history and the natural lake be your main focus, or are you more interested in other activities in the wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen destination? This way, you can start your decision with the experiences that appeal to you, then compare specific options according to your own priorities.

More Experiences in the Wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen Destination

In the wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen destination, Partnach Gorge offers a distinctive natural attraction: visitors can experience massive rock walls and the water rushing below. The gorge was declared a natural monument and opened to visitors in 1912. This natural attraction is clearly distinct from Oberau’s nativity scene exhibition and the themed trail focused on the town.

The Wank offers a different kind of experience. At 1,780 metres, the mountain is Partenkirchen’s local mountain and is ideal for leisurely hikes with panoramic views. The Wank cable car runs directly from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the summit; access by cable car depends on operating conditions. If you are considering hikes and views, the Wank offers another option in the wider destination.

Culture enthusiasts can visit the Richard Strauss Institute in the historic Villa Christina in Partenkirchen’s spa gardens. It houses a permanent exhibition on Strauss’s life and work. The Werdenfels Museum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was established in 1895 from a private collection and is now one of the most important museums of its kind in Bavaria. On walks through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can also discover famous Lüftlmalerei frescoes on house façades.

Discover more destinations: Wallgau, Ohlstadt, Uffing Am Staffelsee, Saulgrub, Bad Kohlgrub, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Farchant, Grainau.

Back to the main travel overview: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.