The nunnery island of Frauenchiemsee is densely populated. Around 766, Bavarian Duke Tassilo III founded a convent here, which was transformed into the Frauenwörth Benedictine Abbey in the 9th century by the famous Abbess Irmingard, daughter of King Ludwig the German. In the 11th century, construction of the high Romanesque abbey church began. Its octagonal onion-domed tower still dominates the view across the lake. Between the two larger islands lies the 3.5-hectare Krautinsel. It is uninhabited and only used for agriculture. It takes its name ('herb island') from the fact that the Benedictine Abbey of Frauenwörth used to grow its vegetables and herbs there. The meadows are still used to graze cattle.
There is scarcely another area where so much diversity is found in such close proximity as in the Chiemgau and surrounding region. Do you fancy discovering the beauty of nature in nature conservation areas, moorlands and lakes and in the Chiemgau Alps? How about a spot of culture? Here, you will find everything your heart desires close at hand. In addition to magnificent footpaths, castles, palaces and mountain railways you will find heated swimming pools, golf courses, horse riding, gliding, rafting trips, paragliding, hang-gliding and balloon trips.
The mountains in the Chiemgau region rise no higher than 2,000 metres. The Sonntagshorn, the twin peaks of Hochfelln and Hochgern, the Kampenwand, and many more, are covered by snow only in winter. In spring and summer, they are transformed into a floral paradise. The Geigelstein has rightly earned a reputation as the Chiemgau's flowering mountain par excellence. Well-made mountain paths take walkers to almost every summit. Walks in the working mountain pastures are particularly popular. Here, in the fragrant mountain air, a good picnic tastes even better. Walking, mountain climbing, cycle touring, mountain biking and water sports are our visitors' favourite pursuits.
The cultural attractions range from music festivals with colourful traditional costumes to local horse parades and a "Summer of Music between Inn and Salzach". This is a landscape tempting the visitor to stay forever – or to keep coming back.
