Rose Island

On the western shore of Lake Starnberg lies the Rose Island.

Ceramic – findings indicate that Rose Island was inhabited as early as 4,600 BC. With the Late Neolithic pile dwellings, Roseninsel represents the evidence for the existence of prehistoric lakeside settlements in the Bavarian Prealps.

Unique are the Iron Age palisades and sill frame constructions from the waters off the northern tip of Roseninsel, where they have been researched since 2002.Roseninsel is protected by the Bavarian Monument Protection Act, the buffer zone is interpreted as an archaeological presumption area and at the same time it is of special importance as a bird sanctuary. After all, Lake Starnberg is a Ramsar site of international importance.

The Bavarian King Max II had his eye on the island and planned to set up a Maximilianeum there, but this was then located in Munich. In 1850 the king bought the island and wanted to create a quiet summer residence. For this purpose, he commissioned the architect Franz Jakob Kreuter to design a royal villa in the Pompeian style. Subsequently, the park on the island, as well as the park on the shore below Feldafing were designed by garden director Lenné.

The rose garden with an impressive white-blue glass column surrounded by hundreds of tall fragrant roses gave the island its present name. Ludwig II took advantage of the secluded location and met there with Richard Wagner and the Russian tsarina Maria Alexandrovna, among others. Sisi also enjoyed being a guest on Roseninsel, having spent her youth in nearby Possenhofen Palace.

Today, a barge crosses from the bell jetty to the island from May to October and is available to the public. Rose Island is well accessible for people with strollers and wheelchair users. Bicycling and dogs are not allowed.

Numerous marriages take place in the casino every summer.