Herb & Elderflower Market in Fischbachau

Once a year, the monastery courtyard in Fischbachau turns into a market for herbs, elderflower, and handmade crafts. Around 30 vendors from the Leitzach Valley and the wider region.

I stopped by in the morning, mainly to take photos. What stuck with me: it's worth simply wandering through the stalls and seeing what the small local businesses around here are making.

Regional products and crafts

Around 30 vendors show off regional products, many from the Leitzach Valley, others from a bit farther out: natural cosmetics, pieces made of metal, clay, and wood, garden decorations, hand-sewn goods in wool, boiled wool, and fabric, baskets, and gift ideas.

A lot of it makes for a nice gift, or just something to treat yourself to. I lingered at the honey stall: the Eirainer apiary from Fischbachau. The beekeeper is a friend of my dad's, who keeps bees himself.

In the monastery courtyard, once a year

The market takes place in and around the monastery courtyard, a setting that fits far better than any exhibition hall ever could. The fact that it only happens once a year and has a real size to it, with around 30 stalls, makes the trip worthwhile.

There's food and drink at the Klosterstüberl. Since I was only there to take pictures, I can't really speak to the food and music myself, but they're part of the market too.

Getting there and admission

Admission is free, and there's parking. The monastery courtyard sits right in the middle of Fischbachau, about a 15-minute drive from Bayrischzell. An easy Sunday outing when the weather cooperates.

Give the stalls your time instead of just breezing through. What's interesting here isn't the big names, it's what small local businesses make themselves: elderflower, herbs, crafts.

Photo gallery