The Richard Strauss Institute is chiefly concerned with documenting and researching the life and works of the composer Richard Strauss. The Werdenfels Museum illustrates the history and culture of the region. The "Marianne Aschenbrenner“ collection has priceless dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries. The town also has regularly changing exhibitions of local artists' work.Richard Strauss Institute
Officially opened on the 50th anniversary of the composer's death in 1999, the Richard Strauss Institute is dedicated to documenting and researching his life and work. Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was a late or post-Romantic German composer who lived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for 41 years. He is best known for his narrative music and operas but he was also a prominent conductor. Multimedia terminals, exhibitions and a musical museum draw visitors into the world of Richard Strauss. The Institute also has an extensive CD and video collection, plus a library. Closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
» www.richard-strauss-institut.deWerdenfels Museum
Werdenfels Museum was originally established in 1895 on the basis of a private collection. It was opened to the public in 1973 in a 17th century merchant's house and is one of the biggest and most attractive museums of its type in Bavaria. The museum reflects the history and culture of the Werdenfels region. For 700 years, until secularisation in 1802, the region was ruled by the Freising prince-bishops and was independent from Bavaria but was an important link between Bavaria, the Tyrol and Italy. Exhibits dating back to this time are displayed in an area of 900m² over five storeys. Visitors can see early archaeological finds such as sacred objects, rural folk art and craft items and domestic artefacts from town and country households. One room is devoted to Shrovetide carnival traditions in the local area, with examples of different carnival masks on show. Other fascinating displays include hand-crafted objects made of iron and wood, details of surviving customs and historical photographs taken around 1900. Closed on Mondays.
» www.garmisch-partenkirchen.deAschenbrenner Museum
The 300m², two-storey Aschenbrenner Museum is another fascinating collection in the Werdenfels region. The Marianne Aschenbrenner collection contains around 200 exquisite German and French dolls dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. It also houses a substantial collection of 18th century porcelain figures by renowned German manufacturers. A new building houses a collection of Nativity scenes, one of which is by the local artist G. Reiner (1883-1962). Visitors can also see a wide range of enchanting scenes depicting the Christmas story, including the Bavarian snow Nativity and an oriental Nativity. Closed on Mondays, guided tours available.
» www.museum-aschenbrenner.de