Follow the trail of Richard Strauss

Your walk starts at the splendid Villa Christina in the Kurpark, the park of the health resort of Partenkirchen, in which the Richard-Strauss-Institute has been located since 8 September 1999. Have your first break at the Richard-Strauss-Platz in the centre of Garmisch, where Garmisch-Partenkirchen created a visible monument for the famous composer. The fountain shows three main characters of his operas: Salome, Elektra and Daphne. Take your time and observe the hustle and bustle on the lively square, which was named after the honorary citizen in 1949, which was the year of his death. Café Krönner offers sweets decorated with the silhouette of the famous musician or with musical motifs. Strauss himself sometimes bought sweets there and took them home. Regarding sports, however, Strauss was quite unenthusiastic. It is true that he contributed to the Olympic Games with his Olympic anthem of 1936, but when it was planned to build sports facilities near his home, he wrote a letter of protest to the local authority. The villa was built by the architect Emanuel Seidl. From 1908 onward it was the home of the composer and his family. The garden gate has his initials, and on the roof of the smaller garden house you will see the figure of an ostrich, which is called "Strauss” in German. The house and gardens are still privately used by his offspring. Thus, they are not open to the public. Richard Strauss died in his villa in Garmisch in 1949. His grave is in the rear part of the graveyard of Garmisch, on the left side at the wall. On the occasion of an act of state, Richard Strauss was awarded honorary citizenship by Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

For a more detailed description of the tour, please refer to "PDF Print" above.