Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pontiff's early life, career and the symbols he selected for his papacy. You then head into the house
proper, where exhibits expand on these themes.
The Heimatmuseum (Marktplatz 2; adult/child €2/1) is in possession of a golden chalice and a
skullcap that was used by Ratzinger in his private chapel in Rome, but is only open to groups of
five or more by prior arrangement; visitors should call the tourist office ( 08678-748 820;
www.marktl.de ; Marktplatz 1; 10am-noon Mon-Wed & Fri, 2-5pm Thu) at least a day ahead to
arrange entry. His baptismal font can be viewed at the Pfarrkirche St Oswald (Marktplatz 6) ,
which is open for viewing except during church services.
With immaculate rooms and a superb restaurant, family-run Pension Hummel ( 08678-282;
www.gasthof-hummel.de ; Hauptstrasse 34; s/d €44/63) , a few steps from the train station, is the
best sleeping spot. Wash down no-nonsense Bavarian fare with a Papst-Bier at Gasthaus Ober-
bräu (
08678-1040; Bahnhofstrasse 2; mains €6-11;
10am-midnight) .
Marktl is a brief stop on an Inn-hugging line between Simbach and Mühldorf (€5.50, 20
minutes), from where there are regular direct connections to Munich, Passau and Landshut.
Although incredibly good value, the region sees few international tourists and remains
quite traditional. A centuries-old glass-blowing industry is still active in many of the
towns along the Glasstrasse (Glass Road), a 250km holiday route connecting Waldsassen
with Passau. You can visit the studios, workshops, museums and shops, and stock up on
traditional and contemporary designs.
The central town of Zwiesel is a natural base, but other settlements such as Frauenau
and Grafenau are also worth considering if relying on public transport.
Sights
NATIONAL PARK
Bavarian Forest National Park
( www.nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de ) A paradise for outdoor fiends, the Bavarian
Forest National Park extends for around 24,250 hectares along the Czech border, from
Bayerisch Eisenstein in the north to Finsterau in the south. Its thick forest, most of it
mountain spruce, is criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking, cycling and
cross-country skiing trails, some of which now link up with a similar network across the
border. The three main mountains, Rachel, Lusen and Grosser Falkenstein, rise up to
between 1300m and 1450m and are home to deer, wild boar, fox, otter and countless bird
species.
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