The Chiemsee
also called the Bavarian Sea!The Chiemsee, also called the Bavarian Sea, is the largest lake in Upper Bavaria and as well in Bavaria, and after the Bodensee and the Müritz See, the third-largest in Germany. (The Starnberger See has more volume of water)
The Chiemsee has a water volume of 2.047.840.000 m³,with an area of 63.96 km (length of the shore with isles 83 km). The catchment area amounts to 1.398.56 km². The isles on the lake are the Herreninsel (238 ha) with the famous castle Herrenchiemsee, the Fraueninsel (15.5 ha) with the Frauenchiemsee cloister, Krautinsel (3.5 ha) and Schalch (22 m²).
The lake, as well as the community Chieming and the Chiemgau, are named after a landlord called Chiemo.
The lake is heating up as its fastest pace at the Seebruck beach. You can often go for a swim already in May. It is not unusual that the water temperature is 25° C in the mid-summer.
Development of the Chiemsee
The Chiemsee, was created in the pre-Alps. at the end of the last Ice Age 10.000 years ago as a split-off from a glacier. Originally, the lake covered an area of roughly 240 km², which corresponds to today’s triple area. Therefore, the maximum depth (72,7 m in May 2005) and the average depth diminish within the years. The volume of water decreased by about 200 ha within the last 100 years. The water level was lowered by approximately 1m 100 years ago. Large areas were therefore drained.
In the northern part of the lake or directly in the lake, is said to have been an impact of a comet in pre-Christian time (ca. 500 B.C.), see Chiemgau-Inpakt.
Chiemsee and surroundings
The largest inlet of the lake is the Tyrol Achen, the only outlet the Alz.The inlets Tyrol Achen and Prien washes sand and scree, so that it is slowly silting up.
The landscape around the Chiemsee, the Chiemgau, is one of the most famous recreational areas in Bavaria. The scenery provides attraction with the nearby Chiemgau mountains (Hochfelln, Hochgern, Hochplatte and Kampenwand). The lake enjoys the protection of the Ramsar Convention.
Above all, the lake is famous for 2 of its bigger isles: There is a convent of nuns on the Fraueninsel (women isle). But even more famous, is the Herreninsel (gentlemen isle), where you find 2 castles: A conservation area with an old castle (a former cloister) and a new Herrenchiemsee castle of the Dream King Ludwig II, based on the Palace of Versailles. The third isle – Krautinsel (weed isle) – is unoccupied. Futhermore, there are 3 small isles: Schalch, on the eastern side of the Fraueninsel as well as 2 nameless, tree-covered isles between 54 and 80m, respectively, in the south of the Krautinsel, each with few square metres. While the 3 biggest isles form the community of Chiemsee and are part of the Rosenheim administrative district, the lake (water area) with its small isles and some alluvial land form an unincorporated community in the Traunstein administrative district in the mouth delta of the Tiroler Achen. The borderline runs directly at the western shore of the lake. Just some little bays near Rimsting are part of the Rosenheim administrative district.
Culture
The Chiemsee, as an attractive scene, has inspired many painters, that is why there are many works of it, which depict the landscape of the Chiemsee and its isles, but also the surroundings of Chiemgau. A circle of painter were established by Paulus, painter from Prien, which were referred to the “Chiemseemaler” (painters of the Chiemsee). After his death, Paulus left his pictures to the community, which has arranged a continuing exhibition of his work.
With the term “Goldener Chiemsee Kessel” (golden Chiemsee pot), a “Kultkessel” (cult pot) is called during the Nazi period, which is lifted from the variety of forms from the Celtics.
Not only the Chiemsee, but also approximately 20 more lakes can be found in the near surroundings.
A special natural experience is the Alz, the outlet of the Chiemsee, which starts directly at the SeeHotel Wassermann. Locals and guests have a passion for the raft and kayak trips (as from 01.07 due to conservation). Kayaks, pedal and rowing boats can be rented directly at Wassermann.
With so much water, we are glad to inform you that fishing permits are available at Wassermann.Sailing has a long tradition in Seebruck. Rent your sailing boat at the SeeHotel Wassermann, or you and your children can learn to sail. But, we have also enough space, if you intend to bring your own sailing boat.
The Seebruck yacht harbour is the largest at the Chiemsee
with its 500 berths and the only one with guest berths.