Wieskirche at a glance
The Wieskirche, "the church in the meadow", stands in the hamlet of Wies. Wies belongs to the municipality of Steingaden in the district of Weilheim-Schongau, Upper Bavaria. The brothers Dominikus and Johann Baptist Zimmermann built the church between 1745 and 1754. It is a pilgrimage church, built for the devotion to the Scourged Saviour.
The church is also a major visitor attraction. The church itself says that about a million people visit each year. It is not part of the Ludwig II World Heritage Site, which was listed in 2025. The Wieskirche was inscribed at the 7th session of the World Heritage Committee under reference 271. The Wieskirche has its own listing, which dates from 1983, so visitors who come for the royal castles can add it as a separate stop.
Opening hours: check for services
The Wieskirche is a working church. Hours change when there are services or concerts.
| Season | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 October | 8 am to 7 pm |
| 2 November to 31 March | 8 am to 5 pm |
The church's English page lists the hours by month and shows slightly different times, for example until 8 pm from May to August. When sources differ, treat the table above as the safer plan and confirm on the church's own website on the day. Services and concerts also change when you can walk around, so do not plan a tight visit around them.
There is no ticket. Guided tours are for groups only and need registration. The church asks for a donation.
Wieskirche and royal castles tours
Day trips from Munich that include the Wieskirche or the royal castles, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Getting to the Wieskirche
We could not verify the distance from Füssen or Hohenschwangau, so check the journey time in a route planner before you decide to combine it with the castles.
By bus
Bus line 73 runs from Füssen via Schwangau and Halblech to Steingaden. Steingaden is the municipality of the Wieskirche. Check the timetable for the last stretch to the church.
Seasonal bus
Füssen's tourism site also mentions a bus 996 from Munich to the royal castles, Pfronten and the Wieskirche on selected days. We could not verify the seasons and times.
Getting there →Guest cards
The Füssen Card and the KönigsCard cover the local bus network, including line 73, if you stay overnight in the region and your host issues one.
Where to stay →By car
We could not verify the parking fee at the church, so check it before you go.
What to see inside
The Wieskirche is known for its Rococo interior. It was built by the brothers Dominikus and Johann Baptist Zimmermann, and pilgrimage to the Scourged Saviour is the reason it exists.
Take your time inside. The church is in active use, so keep your voice down and be considerate of people who are praying or attending a service.
How the Wieskirche fits with Neuschwanstein
The Wieskirche is not part of the Neuschwanstein visit and needs its own planning. If you have a timed castle slot, build the day around that first. The church has no entry slot, so it is the flexible part of the day.
Two simple ways to combine them: visit the church on the day you arrive or leave, or on a day when the castle ticket is for the afternoon. Remember that in the winter season the church closes at 5 pm and the castles at 4 pm.
If you only have one day near Füssen, we would put the castles first. Their tickets are timed and can sell out, and the church is free and has no slot to lose. The Wieskirche suits a second day, a day with a car, or a stop on the way to or from another destination in Upper Bavaria. Because it costs nothing to enter, a short visit is still worthwhile if time is tight.
For the castles themselves see our guide to Neuschwanstein tickets and the overview of King Ludwig's castles.
Before you go: a short checklist
Four points cover most of what can go wrong.
No ticket needed
Walk in. A donation is welcome.
Check the hours
Services and concerts change them. Winter closing is 5 pm.
Plan the transport
Look up bus line 73 or your drive in advance. We have no verified distance from Füssen.
Be respectful
It is a place of worship as well as a World Heritage Site.
More to see nearby
Other places in the region.
Wieskirche: frequently asked questions
Is the Wieskirche free?
Yes. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Guided tours are for groups only and need registration.
What are the opening hours?
From 1 April to 31 October it is open from 8 am to 7 pm, from 2 November to 31 March from 8 am to 5 pm. Services and concerts can change this, so check before you go.
Is the Wieskirche a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 1983, listed under criteria (i) and (iii). It is separate from the Ludwig II castles listing of 2025.
Who built the Wieskirche?
The brothers Dominikus and Johann Baptist Zimmermann, between 1745 and 1754.
Can I get there by public transport?
Bus line 73 runs from Füssen to Steingaden, the municipality of the church. A seasonal bus 996 is also mentioned for selected days. Check timetables for the last stretch.