The heart of the Oberallgäu

by Walter G. Allgöwer

In November, a special clarity hangs over the Iller Valley, as though the landscape had shed every superfluous word and now retained only its deepest truth. From Malerwinkel, the view stretches far across forests, meadows and villages, into the tranquil grandeur of the Oberallgäu. Amidst the dark ribbons of fir trees, the valley glistens in the soft light, whilst the first patches of snow blanket the peaks of the Allgäu Alps in white tranquillity.
On a wooded hill, the Schöllang Castle Church rises like a silent guardian through the centuries. Its place between heaven and earth seems carefully chosen, as if to visualise the connection between human life in the valley and the timeless world of the mountains. Further west, Oberstdorf nestles at the foot of the Alps, whilst to the right, Fischen rests amongst meadows and woods, nestled in a landscape of rare harmony.
Towering above it all are the mountain ranges of the Allgäu Alps. Silhouetted sharply against the deep blue sky, they tell of frosty nights, winter storms and timeless ages. Their snow-capped flanks glisten in the sunlight, lending the panorama an almost timeless beauty.
Here, vastness and a sense of security, transience and permanence meet. Your gaze is drawn into the distance, yet at the same time a sense of calm returns within. For a moment, the Iller Valley seems to be not merely a place, but a tranquil image of harmony between people, nature and the vast landscapes of Europe.