Rose borders in the garden of Dachau Castle

Dachau: City of Art near Munich

Where Emil Nolde learned to paint

The view from the gardens of Dachau Palace extends over and beyond Munich, which is just 20 kilometres away. On some special days, the vista is even crowned by an incredible panorama of the Alps. At the foot of the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, you will find Dachau’s picturesque Altstadt neighbourhood, with its brightly painted houses.

Dachau: Our tips for a great excursion

- Dachau and its history
- Dachau the city of art
- Trade roads, Bezirksmusuem (district museum) and art gallery
- The Bavarian poet Ludwig Thoma in Dachau
- Dachau: How to get there from Munich

 

Dachau and its history

Dachau is closely linked with Munich not only geographically, but also in modern history. It was in Munich that Hitler began his ominous rise to power. Then, just a few weeks after he was elected Chancellor of the Reich, the Nazis built the first concentration camp in Dachau, for the purposes of persecuting and eliminating their political opponents. Most visitors make the journey to Dachau primarily to visit the concentration camp memorial site there.

What many of them do not realise is that the close connection between the two cities actually dates from much earlier. Very few people are aware of the important role Dachau had as one of the first artists’ colonies; much like Munich, Dachau was an art centre which made a major contribution to the development of modern art.

Dachau the city of art

During the 19th century Dachau, like neighbouring metropolis Munich, flourished as an art centre. Many famous artists came to explore Dachau and the charming natural scenes in the area: Carl Spitzweg, Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth, Ludwig Dill, Adolf Hölzel and Arthur Langhammer, to name but a few. In fact, it is only a few years since the discovery of a sketchbook that Emil Nolde used when he spent time in Dachau to attend Adolf Hölzel’s painting school, from March to October 1899.

So we can see that, more than 100 years ago, the city became one of the first artists’ colonies – alongside Worpswede and Barbizon. Today, Dachau is a member of the euroArt European Federation of Artists’ Colonies. Many interesting artists still come here to work, and the town is defined by exhibitions and studios.

Dachau is older than Munich. The earliest reference to it dates from 805, when it was named in a deed of gift to the bishopric of Freising. The town’s history is closely connected with the state capital of Munich by way of the former Bavarian sovereigns: Otto I of the Wittelsbach family inherited the earldom of Dachau in 1182. Because of its strategic location at a crossing of the trade roads between Munich, Augsburg and Freising, Dachau was also an important market.

The permanent exhibition in the Bezirksmuseum (district museum) opposite the Church of St. Jakob offers an insight into historic Dachau. Spanning some three storeys, the museum’s collection numbers over 2,000 items relating to the cultural history and folklore of Dachau and its environs. The art gallery located just beside the tourist information office is another extraordinary museum that is well worth a visit. The gallery is dedicated to showcasing works produced by the Dachau artists’ colony between 1870 and 1914.

The Bavarian poet Ludwig Thoma in Dachau

It is impossible to write about Dachau without mentioning Bavarian poet Ludwig Thoma. He originally arrived as the city’s first lawyer, and was inspired to write by the people of Dachau. Thoma opened his law firm in 1894, in a building known as the Raufferhaus – which is still standing today. He also had a seat at the “Stammtisch” (regulars’ table) in the Zieglerbräu inn beside the town hall.

Here are his words explaining why he decided to settle in Dachau: “As we came up the hill, and the market square with its gabled houses lay before me in its evening tranquillity, I was overcome by a deep longing to live amid this stillness.” Although it is no longer quite as still as it was then, Dachau’s old town has lost none of its charm.

 

Dachau: How to get there from Munich

S-Bahn (S2) connection: approx. 20 minutes. Information at bahn.de

Car: approx. half an hour via the A99 and A92 motorways

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photos: City of Dachau, Günter Standl
Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Hiking guide

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria's castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria's castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Landscape near Kochel am See

Franz Marc & Kochel

The home of ”Der Blaue Reiter“

Our author goes on a hike in search of the places where Franz Marc found his inspiration.

Our author goes on a hike in search of the places where Franz Marc found his inspiration – and finds a magical place.

Two hiker are on a mountain ridge near Munich.

For latecomer lovers of the mountains

After-work hiking

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

View of an alpine hut in front of a mountain panorama in Munich.

Munich's southern reaches

Hiking in wonderland

Barren rocks, wild mountain forests – and a fairy-tale castle.     

Barren rocks, wild mountain forests and a fairy-tale castle: The perfect tour for a lonely weekend in Munich's landmark mountains.

Two women with a bicycle on a pier by a lake in Bavaria.

Wasser-Radlwege Oberbayern

Bathe, banter, bike

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Entrance of the Hündeleskopfhütte, the first vegetarian hut in the Alps near Munich.

Hiking guide: alpine huts

Alpine huts around Munich

 With this selection of alpine hut restaurants, everyone will find their ideal destination.

Families, mountaineers, connoisseurs: With this selection of alpine hut restaurants, everyone will find their ideal destination.

Kehlsteinhaus Berchtesgaden including a panoramic view of the valley in the surroundings of Munich.

Eagle's Nest

Hitler's tea room

A historical lookout high above Berchtesgaden, offering a stunning panoramic view.

The Kehlsteinhaus has been retained in its original form as a historical monument from the Third Reich, and is among the most popular destinations for trips in Germany.

Nymphenburg Palace in Munich at sunset.

Royal Munich

Castles and palaces in and around Munich

The magnificent castles and palaces in and around Munich are world famous. An overview.

Residenz, Nymphenburg, Herrenchiemsee, Neuschwanstein: The castles and palaces in and around Munich are world famous. An overview. 

Two skiers skiing down in deep snow in front of a mountain panorama.

Ski touring

Under your own steam

From Munich, you can experience the combination of climbing under your own steam and descending through untouched snow within a weekend.

From Munich, you can experience the combination of climbing under your own steam and descending through untouched snow within a weekend.

View from above of a snow-covered winter landscape with a monastery in the outskirts of Munich.

Winter walks in and around Munich: snow trekking

Into the snow!

Whether in the city centre, along the banks of the Isar river or up a mountain in advance of tobogganing back down into the valley, Munich offers a wide selection of winter hikes to enjoy.

Whether in the city centre, along the banks of the Isar river or up a mountain in advance of tobogganing back down into the valley, Munich offers a wide selection of winter hikes to enjoy.

Lakes & Mountains
Boat trip at the Königssee with panoramic view of the Alps in the surroundings of Munich.

A boat ride to a natural paradise

Königssee

Emerald-green water at the foot of the legendary Watzmann.

Emerald-green water at the foot of the Watzmann – taking a trip to Königssee lake is to enjoy a singular natural experience.

Lake Chiemsee with the Bavarian Alps in the background.

The Bavarian Sea

Chiemsee

At Bavaria's largest lake, you can not only do water sports or go on a bike tour, you can also experience many cultural attractions.

At Bavaria’s largest lake, you can not only do water sports or a bike tour, you can also experience a lot of culture at the Herrenchiemsee Palace.

A man is standing on rocks at the shore of Eibsee nearby Garmisch in the surrounding region of Munich.

The highest mountain in Germany

Zugspitze

The Zugspitze is only 90 kilometres away from the Bavarian state capital.

While Zugspitze in the Wetterstein Mountains may not be one of Munich’s local mountains, it is a mere 90 kilometres away from the Bavarian state capital.

Watzmann in the Berchtesgadener Land in the surrounding of Munich.

The mountain of destiny

Watzmann

The Watzmann has long fascinated mountain climbers from all over the world.

A truly extraordinary shape and the legendary east face: The Watzmann has long fascinated mountain climbers from all over the world.

Windsurfer on the Walchensee in the hinterland of Munich.

The Bavarian Caribbean

Walchensee

Walchensee is not only the perfect destination for swimming, but also for windsurfing and hiking. Tips and information for a day trip from Munich.

Walchensee is not only the perfect destination for swimming, but also for windsurfing and hiking. Tips and information for a day trip from Munich.

Evening atmosphere with sunset at Ammersee near Munich

From Utting to Herrsching

Ammersee

It is not only one of the largest lakes in Bavaria, but also a popular destination for those seeking peace and tranquillity.

It is not only one of the largest lakes in Bavaria, but also a popular destination for those seeking peace and tranquillity.

Boats in Starnberger See in the Five Lake Region nearby Munich with the Alps in the background.

Recharge your batteries

Starnberger See

Anyone who fancies a swim, bike ride, leisurely stroll or boat trip won’t be disappointed on a trip to Starnberger See.

Around just 20 kilometres to the south-west of the city, you will find “Munich’s summer swimming pool”. Anyone who fancies a swim, bike ride, leisurely stroll or boat trip won’t be disappointed on a trip to Starnberger See.

A sailing boat on the Tegernsee near Munich

Like God in Bavaria

Tegernsee

Lake Tegernsee lies nestled between hillsides of dark-green forestation, is a wonder of nature whose origins date back to the last ice age.

Lake Tegernsee lies nestled between hillsides of dark-green forestation. Its banks are lined with reeds and old oak trees. Beyond, the masts of sailing boats sway in the wind.

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.
Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Book now from 58 €

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.