Garmisch-Partenkirchen: School for Wood is now a monument – ​​a milestone!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen: School for Wood is now a monument – ​​a milestone!

There is reason to be happy in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: the schools for wood and design have now officially found their place on the Bavarian State Office's list of monuments. This long overdue event was unanimously approved by the building committee and highlights how important the preservation of such traditions is for the region. The location at Hauptstrasse 70 in the Partenkirchen district has an eventful history that dates back to 1866, when Dr. Michael Sachs founded the craft drawing school.

School education in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been through a lot since then. A carving school was approved from 1869, and the first carving hall followed in 1871. From the construction challenges during and after the two world wars to the new construction of the complex between 1956 and 1958 under the direction of Karl Maria Hirschbold, the school has proven time and again that it is an integral part of the local craft tradition. Today she is known for her outstanding training in painting and carving and can proudly look back on her participation in the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, where she won two medals. The schools currently offer over 150 training and further education positions in four branches of carpentry and wood carving, which impressively continues the long tradition. Merkur reports on this important decision and the importance of monument protection for the region.

The future of education

As those responsible for the school emphasize, this high-quality educational institution not only offers committed teachers, but also modern structural and technical equipment. They are looking optimistically into the future and are already looking for private accommodation for students, especially for the master carpenters' school from February 2026. The application deadline for the vocational school for carpenters and wood sculptors ends on February 11, 2026. Those interested should act quickly if they want to become part of this special training.

Last week's technical school day was a complete success and attracted numerous visitors. Particularly noteworthy are the awards given to Johannes Zolk, a graduate of the master school for carpenters, as the best master of the year 2025, as well as Laurenz Werb, who received the Upper Bavarian Prize for Applied Arts 2025 for his lamp object “Spool”. In addition, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school can proudly look back on its successes at the Salone Del Mobile furniture fair in Milan 2025. A panel discussion on the topic of crafts, which took place in the BR2 podcast, provides further insight into the lively discussion about the importance of crafts in our time. The craft branch has its full potential and provides a breath of fresh air in training.

Monument protection and regional commitment

Concerns about the planned renovations by the Upper Bavaria district were certainly expressed, but Markus Gehrle-Neff made it clear that the newly won monument protection will not question accessibility. Mayor Elisabeth Koch vehemently supported the decision to list the monument and emphasized the good location and preservation of the site. Preserving the school not only means protecting a building, but also the continued existence of a valuable part of Garmisch-Partenkirchen's craft tradition and regional identity.

The commitment to craftsmanship is reflected not least in the efforts on projects such as the interior design of the German Alpine Club's new Blankenstein Hut, which are to be implemented from 2022 to 2024. Such initiatives confirm the role of educational institutions such as the School of Wood and Design as key players in the region. The monument protection measures and the commitment of those responsible demonstrate the appreciation for the craft and its cultural significance, which extends far beyond the borders of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Further information about monument protection can be found on the Denkmalschutz website.