Hechendorf between the Loisach, Molo Park and St. Anne's

Hechendorf is a district of Murnau. Here, the area's former rafting tradition, the Catholic filial church of St. Anne, the Molo Park, which covers more than four hectares, and a cycling tour through the Murnauer Moos come together. The topics range from the historic use of the river and church architecture to landscaped gardens and moorland.

The Loisach and the History of Rafting

The Loisach flows directly past Hechendorf. A distinct profession of raftsmen once developed along this river. From April to September, the raftsmen of Hechendorf regularly travelled between Oberau and Schönmühl near Wolfratshausen. Rafting traffic on the Loisach was completely discontinued in 1892. Rafting is therefore part of a historical period that has come to an end.

On the Loisach Cycle Path, information about rafting is presented in Hechendorf, the former rafting village. The period from April to September refers exclusively to the former journeys and does not denote any use of the Loisach by raftsmen that continues to this day.

St. Anne's and Its Architectural History

The Catholic filial church of St. Anne is a Baroque-style hall church with a recessed choir and a mansard-roofed tower on the north side. Its core dates from the middle of the 15th century. In the middle of the 17th century, the church was extended and altered.

A hall church is a church interior with a uniformly articulated main space. A recessed choir is narrower than this main space and is set apart at the end of the building. In a mansard-roofed tower, the roof surface changes angle at a break; at St. Anne's, this tower is located on the north side. These three architectural elements form part of the exterior appearance of St. Anne's church in Hechendorf.

St. Anne's is considered to be the oldest church building in the Murnau parish. At the same time, it is a rare example of a highly uniform early Baroque church. Parts of Romanesque and Gothic structures have been preserved in the masonry. The building thus has a core dating from the 15th century, alterations from the 17th century and older sections of masonry. For those interested in culture, the focus at St. Anne's is on its architectural form, dating and preserved structural elements.

Molo Park and Walter von Molo

Molo Park is a garden complex covering more than four hectares in Hechendorf. It was created between 1932 and 1934. This period of its creation is clearly later than the medieval core of St. Anne's.

A gravestone in Molo Park commemorates Walter von Molo. In addition to its date of creation, the garden complex therefore also has a specific connection to this person.

Cycling Tour through the Murnauer Moos

The cycling tour through the Murnauer Moos initially follows the cycle path along Olympiastraße to Hechendorf and continues from there along the Loisach. This sequence is decisive for planning the route: the path reaches Hechendorf first and then continues along the river.

The tour also passes through the largest contiguous raised bog in Central Europe. The route therefore connects the section along Olympiastraße, Hechendorf, the Loisach and the Murnauer Moos in a defined order.

For the overarching travel overview: Murnau Am Staffelsee.