Drachensee - home town of Waldschmidt, also known as the "father of tourism"

Of all the federal states in Germany, Bavaria is the Nr. 1 tourist attraction. On 14, 1917, Pope Benedict XV consecrated Bavaria to Our Lady at the request of King Ludwig III of Bavaria, who was prompted by the distress caused by the First World War.

This made Bavaria Our Lady's country. Many chapels and wayside crosses from that period can be seen around the Drachensee. They bear witness to prayers that were heard during the First and Second World Wars.

from that period can be seen around the Drachensee. They bear witness to prayers that were heard during the First and Second World Wars.

He became world-famous through his novel Am goldenen Steig and the song Es war im Böhmerwald, wo meine Wiege stand.

The Prince Regent Luitpold, who was a very keen reader of Schmidt, was determined to raise him to the ranks of the aristocracy. After lengthy discussions, they agreed in 1898 that the phrase genannt Waldschmidt ("known as Waldschmidt") should be added to his surname. This name is hereditary, and is therefore still in use in the Schmidt family today.

In 1890, Waldschmidt founded the first Tourist Association in Bayern. This is why he is also known as the father of tourism! What would the famous Waldschmidt think today?

If he could look today out of the windows of the house where he was born, Maximilan Schmidt, known as Waldschmidt, would be astonished. He would be amazed to see the huge surface of the Drachensee, a new lake, almost directly in front of the door of his house, a lake that fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape. He always used to say: "The forest needs tourism, and tourism needs the forest." And now, after a long struggle, they even have a lake!