The story goes all the way back to 1076, when two hermits named Otto and Adalbert built a small cell with a little church up here. That tiny hermitage grew into a monastery, which was later moved to Fischbachau and eventually to Scheyern. But the village stayed put. And this year it celebrated together with Scheyern Abbey: 950 years of history.
In early July we threw a big celebration, with a festival tent up on the Seeberg, a festive church service, a parade through town, and several days packed with events. I live here, and on this page I'm keeping a record of what the festival was like, in photos and films.
A village celebrates its history
Why 950 years? Because in 1076 two hermits built a monastic cell up here, and out of it grew Scheyern Abbey. The Benedictines made ten short films about it. They live on a page of their own, together with the whole backstory, so there's room here for the festival itself.
Festival week, July 2 to 6, 2026
At 7:00 p.m. the first keg was tapped in the festival tent on the Seeberg. The Bayrischzell brass band played. This was the official kickoff, the evening when the whole village came together.
For the 10th time, the Bayrischzell folk dancers put on their traditional Goaßmaß festival. Oberland Express provided the music, along with a bar and full catering.
A rousing tent festival with the South Tyrolean band Naturnser Böhmische. The festival tent stayed lively all evening long.
The highlight of the whole anniversary. The day started with a festive church service in front of the town hall. After that, the parade wound through town all the way to the festival tent on the Seeberg, where everyone came together to celebrate 950 years.
The relaxed wind-down. A Kesselfleisch dinner (boiled pork) in the festival tent, with the Bayrischzell brass band playing one last time.
How the anniversary went
A few films from the festival days, shot on the phone.
The photos from the festival days: opening night, the church service, the parade through the village, and afterwards the festival tent.
The parade, from start to finish
Sunday was the high point. After the church service in front of the town hall, the parade made its way through the village and up to the festival tent on the Seeberg. I filmed the whole thing, just under five minutes.
Video hosted on YouTube. Loading it sends data to Google/YouTube.
A short documentary about the anniversary
One more short film is in the works for the anniversary. Not a promo video chasing a big audience, but a keepsake film for Bayrischzell. As soon as it's finished, you'll find it here and on my YouTube channel.
What else is happening in the anniversary year
Art all over town. Scattered across the whole village, you'll find artworks out in public spaces, a proper art trail through Bayrischzell with far more than just a handful of sculptures. On view through mid-September 2026. You'll simply come across them on a stroll through town, no admission, no museum, just out in the open.
Film screening: "From the Origins to Today, Scheyern Abbey Now." On October 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Peterhofkino in Bayrischzell. A 15-minute film about the monks' daily life at Scheyern Abbey today, followed by a talk from one of the monks about the abbey and its history, going all the way back to its founding in Bayrischzell.
Adult education program. The Bayrischzell adult education center is centering its summer term on the anniversary, with courses on the region's history, culture, traditions, and art.
A new chapel on the Geitauer Alm. On September 6, 2026, Abbot Markus Eller of Scheyern Abbey consecrated a new chapel up at 1,330 metres. It was built in the anniversary year. I was there.
If you're coming to Bayrischzell now
The big festival is over, but the art trail through town is still up through mid-September. If that's what brings you here, or if you just happen to swing by, here are a few tips.
Getting here: Bayrischzell has its own train station (BOB/BRB from Munich). By car, take the B307.
Where to stay and eat: A small handpicked list of places I know personally. On nice summer days, it's best to reserve ahead.
