UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage
King Maximilian II of Bavaria enriched the existing Wittelsbach parks on Lake Starnberg with two masterpieces of garden design: Feldafing Park (from 1850) and Rose Island, created in 1854. On the former fishermen's island of Wörth, the garden designer Peter Joseph Lenné created a fragrant rose paradise which was later to become one of Ludwig II's favourite places. Among the guests he entertained here were Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the Russian Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna and Richard Wagner.
Feldafing Park, which was laid out by the court garden director Carl von Effner opposite Rose Island, is popular for its splendid views of the countryside framed by old oaks and beeches, with Lake Starnberg and the Alps in the background. Plans for a summer palace on a hill in the park were abandoned with the early death of Maximilian II in March 1864.
Rose blossom on Rose Island Usually the first blossom begins around mid-June, the second around mid-August, each lasting for about 4 weeks. Depending on the climate the roses may bloom (even weeks) earlier or later.
Monument under water The remains of prehistoric pile dwellings on the bottom of Lake Starnberg by Rose Island have been included on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list.
In June 2011, over 100 selected archaeological sites in several countries were declared cultural heritage under the heading of "Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps". They provide researchers with unique insights into the ancient world of farming, everyday life, agriculture, animal breeding and technical innovations. The pile dwelling sites in Lake Starnberg, together with other remains of settlements, represent an archaeological heritage which dates back to 5000 BC.
For further information about the pile dwellings in Bavaria, please contact the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege). Clients of Domizile Reisen can now rent a holiday villa very close to Rose Island. Parkvilla Tutzing can be rented as one villa to accommodate up to 9 persons or it can be separated in 3 unique suites of different size. Rose island is only some 4 kilometers away and you can reach it by bike within 15 minutes along the beautiful trail on the lakeshore. You will have stunning views of the lake and the Alps behind.
