
The river of Lech, Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany.
Every morning, an old Bavarian wakes up in his tiny, but comfortable flat near St. Mangยs Abbey in the old part of Fuessen, Bavaria. He drinks a strong black coffee that he always buys in Montenegro during summer vacations. Unfortunately, his beautiful Bavaria doesn’t have good coffee. Then he goes to stroll along his favorite river, the emerald river of Lech, a wonder of Fuessen. Why emerald? Because its water is emerald green.
During his life, he travelled a lot and saw many countries, rivers, seas, and even oceans. Several corners of the world can boast of lakes, lagoons, or gulfs with emerald water, but all of them are located too far from his favorite piece of the world, Bavaria. The nearest place is Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, the second one is Malta. Malta has a tiny emerald lagoon on one of its islands. This tiny lagoon squeezed among the naked cliffs is one of the attractions of Malta, and thousands of tourist visit it every year by special tourist boats. Our Bavarian sees that beautiful water every day while hiking along the Lech.

St. Mang’s Abbey, Fuessen.
Usually, he goes to Neuschwanstein, the world-famous castle of King Ludwig II, enjoys this wonderful piece of architectural art, and returns to Fuessen. The whole route is 10 km, two hours. This is his daily fitness workout and aesthetic doping. Sometimes, he changes his route, climbs to the mountains to look at Neuschwanstein from above and then goes down to feed the swans in Alpsee, the famous lake near the castle. They say that the Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, was so impressed by this landscape that it inspired him to write his famous ballet, Swan Lake. When you stand there on the shore wondering at the tranquility of nature with swans noiselessly moving around, you start to believe that this is true. You feel that you also would have been able to write a ballet or an opera if you were Tchaikovsky.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany.

Hohenschwangau Castle, Bavaria, Germany.

Schwansee, Bavaria, Germany.
Do you know that Fuessen is a resort city? Of course, it has no palm trees, oranges, golden sand, or the sea, but it has the purest air, forest, river, waterfall, lakes, and mountains with numerous walking paths for fans of hiking.

Lechfall in Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany.
On the way home, our old Bavarian will enter a wine bar near the church, Spitalkirche, to drink a glass of good white Mosel wine. After ten kilometers of walking it feels like balsam. To be honest, it feels like balsam even without walking. You know, in Germany they make very good white wines, and our brave hiker will find dozens of brands in this tiny bar. He knows, if he wants to drink Italian or French wines, he can also get them; however, he prefers those from Mosel. Afterwards, he will go home to continue to write his novel, the novel about his long, long life.

Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche, Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany.

The town of Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany.
Next day, he will repeat his walk along the emerald river of Lech, but in the opposite direction, to Austria. Yes, the Austrian border is close. If you have ever visited Vienna, the capital of Austria, you know that the blue Danube (An der schรถnen blauen Donau by Johann Strauss II) is not blue at all. It’s dirty brown. But the water of Lech is really emerald. I have never seen anything like it, and I am sure you havenยt either.
Have you never been to Austria? It is not a problem: just 20 minutes of walking from Fuessen. If you wish, you can visit it every day strolling along the Lech. Then, every time someone mentions Austria, you can say, “Oh, Austria. I know. I have been there many times.”
On the way back, he will get some rest in a small bar on the side of the road and drink a little Jรคgermeister with the owner. They feel like theyยve known each other for a thousand years, and both of them still remember an awful war that changed Europe from a powerful continent into the vassal of one distant country.
Then he will dine in the Italian restaurant in the center of old Fuessen, La Perla Ristorante Pizzeria, Drehergasse 44. He prefers this restaurant because he has been in northern Italy and knows well the real taste of Italian cuisine. In La Perla, waiters even try to speak Italian, but not with him, knowing that his Italian is much better than theirs. Their chef has got the knack for making a good pasta.
Next day our Bavarian will go upstream on the Lech to enjoy the beautiful mountain forest. Again tranquillity, pines, fresh air, lakes, ducks, and many kilometers of forest paths. He knows every one of them, but still is never too tired to enjoy his promenades. What does he think about during his prolonged strolls? What can a very old man who survived World War II and buried all his relatives, even his cat, think about? He prefers not to think, but to listen to audio lessons of the Italian language, because his second favorite corner of this world is northern Italy.
Fรผssen has its own castle, the High Castle, but this castle is strange enough. Although it is more than 500 years old, its castle features are not real. All the attributes of medieval castles are drawn or painted onto the walls of the simple building. Does it look good? Without doubt, but it is oversimplified. Inside, you will find a museum with the Bavarian State Collection of Paintings and the Municipal Art Gallery which include pieces of art from the late Gothic and the Renaissance periods, all of which were painted by artists from Swabia (southwestern Germany). Apparently, the castle does not have a breathtaking history, and it can’t impress you with bloody historical actions, ghosts, intrigues, or romantic legends.

The High Castle of Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany.
Our old Bavarian doesn’t like this castle, and he has never been inside it. Why bother, when you have Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau so close by? Honestly, being a patriot of his town, Fuessen, he tried to visit the High Castle, but every time he turned back upon reaching its inner yard. Maybe next time, he will dare to enter.
Most of the tourists take the two-hour train ride from Munich to Fuessen, visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, and return to Munich, ignoring Fuessen as a separate attraction. Such a shame. Give this town a chance to charm you! Stay there for a couple of nights and retrace some of the footsteps of this old Bavarian: visit bars, restaurants, neighboring mountains, lakes, forest, enjoy the river of Lech, and you will feel the real Germany.

Inside of the Parish Church of Mariae Gedurt, Rottenbuch, 31 kilometers from Fuessen.
More about Germany:
Dresden: 68 Years After Bombing
History of One Picture: Neuschwanstein Castle
Linderhof, Bavaria: Failed Versailles!
April 20, 2017 at 10:46 am
Nice stories and pictures as usual Victor. I remember Lake Bled in Slovenia being a similar colour also the Neretva River flowing through Mosar in Bosnia.
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April 20, 2017 at 11:08 am
People say, Bled is a good place. I have not been there yet.
Thank you, Andrew.
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April 20, 2017 at 11:19 am
You would like it Victor but it can be a bit of a tourist honey jar!
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April 20, 2017 at 10:51 am
These are wonderful shots, Victor. That water, wow.
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April 20, 2017 at 11:10 am
The water was beautiful. Thank you, Ares.
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April 20, 2017 at 11:06 am
That castle looks so pretty, definitely want to visit one day!
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April 20, 2017 at 11:11 am
It is one of the most famous castles of the world.
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April 20, 2017 at 11:19 am
A tourist myself in 1967 and later a guide for students in 2002, I saw the obligitory tourist spot Neuschwanstein. But I missed the Emerald River. I guess I will just have to go back.
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April 20, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Thank you. I try to go back to Fuessen at every opportunity.
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April 20, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Beautiful photos, Victor. I like the way you wrote the info from a local old man’s point of view.
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April 20, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Thank you, Anneli.
Someday, I will be like him.
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April 26, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Very nice story Victor, and so European with all the influences.
Fussen is a nice town, we stayed there overnight when visiting Neushwanstein (which for us was a disappointment). But we loved the Austrian town of Reutte and the Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble – it’s as if we had left behind a million tourists and suddenly found ourselves walking among old ruins surrounded by snow-peaked mountains and green valleys. Amazing. And only 20 minutes from Fussen.
Great photos as always!
Frank (bbqboy)
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April 26, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Thank you for the Ehrenberg Castle. We didn’t know about these ruins. You are right about such places. We felt the same in Peyrepertuse or Chateaux de Lastours in France https://victortravelblog.com/2015/06/22/pays-cathare-noble-ruins/ A time mashine.
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May 2, 2017 at 2:48 am
Oh wow! Love that.
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April 26, 2017 at 4:45 pm
It is a lovely area, stayed there about ten years ago and your right staying in Fussen is the way to go.
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April 26, 2017 at 11:37 pm
Thank you, Terry. I am sure Fuessen didn’t change for these 10 years.
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May 1, 2017 at 4:29 am
Yep! Bavaria is very nice. I haven’t been there in a while, but I’ll be doing a lot of German travel in the summer, as 2017 is the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luthers’ Reformation, and everyone will be celebrating!
‘Love the photographs as I like castles very much. ๐
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May 2, 2017 at 7:25 am
Thank you, Victoria. You live in Germany, and I am sure you will reach Bavaria sooner or later.
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May 2, 2017 at 7:55 am
Absolutely!
I’ve been to Bavaria a few times, and I like it very much. I like the culture, the joviality of the people, and the country-side. I don’t like their Bavarian sausages though, or the dark beer. I’m a currywurst girl through and through! ๐
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May 2, 2017 at 1:48 pm
I don’t like the German cuisine at all. I prefer the Italian one.
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May 4, 2017 at 3:10 am
I don’t blame you. Eek! ๐
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June 9, 2017 at 7:37 am
Wow! This river seems spectacular! I will definitely add it to my bucket list, Victor!
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June 9, 2017 at 7:53 am
Thank you, Agness.
That was my goal. Fuessen is very small, but charming town.
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June 25, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Great photos! Great Story! Great Bavaria! ๐ท๐ท๐ท ๐
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June 25, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Yes. And great Germany!
Thank you, Dina.
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June 25, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Yes, Germany is wonderful. I feel very privileged to call it on my three “home” countries after having spent more than 30 years there.
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June 26, 2017 at 7:28 pm
This sounds and looks lovely. I’ve only ever been to Munich. I wish I had explored a little.
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June 26, 2017 at 10:57 pm
To understand any country one should visit not only its capital.
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July 2, 2017 at 10:56 am
Awesome captures and really love the way the story is narrated
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July 2, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Thank you very much, Dev.
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July 5, 2017 at 8:33 am
I’ve been to Bavaria a few times, and I like it very much.
‘Love the photographs as I like castles very much.
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July 5, 2017 at 9:41 am
Thank you very much for the visit and comment.
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June 29, 2019 at 8:29 am
Nicely written post! It reminds me of our stay in Fussen 3 years ago.
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June 30, 2019 at 12:03 am
Many thanks. I like strolling in the vicinity of Fussen.
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July 28, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Love this one, especially the one in ruins on top of a mountain. Beautiful country…
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July 29, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Thank you, Betty.
Bavaria is beautiful, yes.
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