October 31, 2026
Reformation Day — Public Holiday in Select States
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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📷 Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A market town nestled in a valley enclosed by the Watzmann, Hochkalter, and Untersberg massifs, less than 30 km from Salzburg. For centuries, Berchtesgaden was the centre of a small ecclesiastical principality governed by Augustinian canons. Their community was established in the early 12th century, and the territory retained its distinct administration until secularisation in 1803. Following the political upheavals of the early 19th century, Berchtesgaden was incorporated into Bavaria in 1810. The former monastic complex became a royal residence, and the gradual rise of alpine tourism slowly transformed the character of the town. Salt brought prosperity for centuries — the mine has been in continuous operation since 1517. Today, Berchtesgaden serves as a gateway to the national park and the lakes surrounding it, yet its historic core remains a pedestrian zone lined with squares, 16th- and 17th-century townhouses, and churches older than almost anything else a visitor will encounter in the surrounding area.
October 31, 2026
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
Check the current status before you arrive.
November 1, 2026
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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December 25, 2026
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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December 26, 2026
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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January 1, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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January 6, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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March 26, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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March 29, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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May 1, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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May 6, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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May 17, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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August 15, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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October 3, 2027
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Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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Everything you need for Berchtesgaden in one place
The building was originally an Augustinian monastery, founded in the early 12th century, and served for centuries as the seat of a small ecclesiastical principality. Following secularisation in 1803, it passed into royal hands and from 1810 onwards was used as a summer residence. The palace remains the property of the Wittelsbach family to this day and is occasionally used as a residence. Visitors can tour the historic rooms and art collections as part of a guided visit. Among the most fascinating highlights are the medieval cloister, the Gothic hall, the Renaissance rooms, and the arms collection. Tours do not take place every day, so it is worth checking the schedule before you visit.
The monastery is first mentioned in 1102. In the second half of the 12th century, a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica was built; by the mid-13th century, a cloister, narthex, and two towers had been added, and around 1300 an early Gothic choir was begun, setting in motion renovations that continued for centuries. The façade visible today is Neo-Romanesque, dating from the 19th century. The most prized feature of the interior is the Gothic choir furniture from the first half of the 14th century, decorated with carvings of animals and Christian symbols. The late-Romanesque cloister, which contains the tombstones of former canons, is entered from Schlossplatz and is separate from the main church space.
The central square of the pedestrian zone. The fountain was not built all at once: the central column with a lion dates from 1628, the polygonal basin of red marble from 1677, and an inscription records a restoration in 1860. The square is lined with townhouses featuring stone portals. A market is held nearby on Fridays, and on the first and third Friday of the month a farmers' market takes place as well.
A mountain cheese made from skimmed milk with less than 1% fat. No cultures and no rennet: the milk is curdled solely by lactic acid bacteria with the warmth of the alpine hut, then the curd is separated from the sour whey, salted, peppered, and left to ripen in a bowl for several days. It is eaten on bread with home-made butter, and also features in Kasnocken and Kaspressknödel.
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