The old Garmisch. Almost nowhere is it more tangible than in this place. Because around Kreuzstrasse, one can feel the charm of bygone days. It is also firmly rooted amongst the old farmhouses: The historic forge dating from 1813 defies the developments springing up around it with charisma. As does the man, who tinkers inside and practices a trade that required no managerial abbreviation. Florian Aberl is a blacksmith out of passion. A genuine craftsman - dirty hands, with a flat cap on his head and a relaxed nature. Stoking the fire while standing at the anvil deforming metal. But this was not always so.

BEING IN HERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL

Because before he decided to pick up the ancestral hammer, his hands explored other spheres. A brief detour into the world of confectionary allowed him to come to an important realisation: "For me, it was too easy, too soft." But now he is in the right place. Surrounded by durable materials, the deformation of which is a physical challenge. Because blacksmithing is sport. This is obvious if one looks at the various techniques. Stretching, bending, expanding, punching, compressing, and welding - in constant back and forth between the furnace, the anvil and the many machines. One also tends to clock up quite a few metres running. But this is exactly what he loves, just like his historic workplace: "Being in here is something special." Not just for Florian, but also for visitors to the workshop:

Through the 200-year-old pine door, with the honest smell of metal and fire in one's nose and one's eyes drawn to the innumerable tools and impressive machines. Above the workbench, rows of hammers and pliers that belonged to his great-great-grandfather, both anvils sitting on huge tuff stones from the Riess and the old machine with its v-belt drive saying "Caution, tighten nuts securely." The heart of it all is the large furnace, which glows every day and is decisive in shaping the metalwork. Nothing about this has changed over the course of time. Not even the fact that a blacksmith is a real design all-rounder and can model the material in many different ways. Florian focuses in particular on utensils, construction hardware and tools. Through the latter, he has become known as the "man with the axe". Inspired by local forest workers, for example, he developed the 'Schlegaxt' (mallet axe) - a useful 2-in-1 tool. Apart from being resilient, he can also be practical. With hand-forged everyday utensils that combine the past with the present and bear the brand "For life".

Such as the woodcutter's pan, which can be used to fry on both an induction stove and over an open fire. Or the small knife that combines grace and stability, cutting mushrooms, slicing Landjäger smoked sausages and disappearing into in hand-stitched leather case. Special orders also find their way into his workshop. Sometimes an old mail coach rolls in, or the Speyer Cathedral Museum comes knocking on the door.

But back to the use and the objects he produces for this: Every one of his handmade products is for life and "has a certain 'Schlanz'"; they feel right. No two are exactly the same and all bear his individual style. Because when it says Aberl on the outside, you can be sure it's Aberl on the inside too.
There is a lot to discover.

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01 Aberl Metallgestaltung

ABERL METALLGESTALTUNG & SCHLOSSEREI

Florian Aberl
Zugspitzstraße 19
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Tel: +49 8821 54599
www.aberl.info
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Big, warm eyes, an impish face and a perfectly straight fringe. A mix of real characters live by the picturesque Riegsee - a herd of 43 alpacas who are at home on the Schmid family’s farm. For example Chilean Oskar who came across the sea and became the leader, cheeky Hans-Wurschtl who bears the name of a prankster, chilled out Wolfgang who share more than just his origin with Wolle Petry, and pensioner Nadine who is especially dear to the Schmids as their very first alpaca.

I then trained as an experience farmer.

Because even though the wool quality deteriorates as the animal gets older, they can grow old at Helene and Josef’s, because the couple pursue somewhat different breeding goals. "Our animals accompany groups and children's birthdays, so our main focus is on good character, rather than just the wool." But of course the latter is also a part of it and is lovingly processed for sale at the farm shop. Socks, sleeves, hats, yoga cushions, etc., as well as custom-made blankets and sleeping bags - all containing or made entirely of pure alpaca wool. In addition to long-lasting products, you can also take something else away from the Schmids: A sustainable experience. This is ensured by Helene as a trained experience farmer and by the sunny farmyard, where all sense of time evaporates into thin air. Whether during entertaining lectures, feeding and stroking the animals, a walk together to the lake, baking twist bread over the campfire or on the child-friendly obstacle course. "Alpacas are careful and relaxed. It is always nice when people come to us with or without disabilities and develop a trust in the animals."
Her husband Joseph is also an incredible fountain of knowledge and effervesces in his own way. "As the smallest breed of camel in the world, alpacas can of course spit too. This is abundant and stinks terribly, but it only happens in emergency situations." For example, if an alpaca stallion gets too pushy. Then the philanderer is marked with a slimy green and becomes another exotic amongst the herd along with the adopted roebuck Beni. There is a lot to discover.

Inser Hoamat - a genuine piece of Zugspitz Region. Products from Alpakahof Riegsee. Created and made here.

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02 Alpakahof Riegsee

ALPAKAHOF RIEGSEE

Helene und Josef Schmid
Dorfstr. 44
82418 Riegsee
Tel.: 08841 90738
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www.alpakahof-riegsee.de

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His course in life fits that of an artist. School leaving certificate thanks to art class, the Glockenbachviertel in Munich instead of university and self-sufficiency before military service. Bernhard Ludwig Rieger’s life is as intuitive as his brush strokes, which he has been putting to paper since early childhood. Because even as a four-year-old, the native of Wallgau used to hide under the kitchen table with a brush in his hand and fixed ideas in his head. "At some point, I disassembled my Lego Technic vehicles and built disco lights out of the drives and gears.” And even though this project nearly finished him (his pincers hit the power circuit), he never lost the inclination to try everything out. "I am never bored and, to this very day, have never left a creative desire go unfulfilled."

Nature is colourful.

His work bears testimony to this, ranging from alpine pop art paintings to interior design plans to unique wooden pieces to fresco painting. One man, one style - and a realised goal:
"My desire as an artist has always been to create art that appeals to people of all social classes and enriches both an alpine chalet in Kitzbühel and an urban apartment decorated in a mix of Ikea styles." An Octoberfest invitation brought a lot of brightness in this regard, as well as light into the darkness. Because wearing the nostalgic Luis Trenker clothing he went off to the beer tent for some selfies with the visitors. In focus? His felt-rimmed heart made of reclaimed wood, brought along as a thoughtful gingerbread souvenir. A greeting from home that can reach everyone and can therefore stay. And, of course, Bernhard's underlying urge for further development. And so the alpine cult square came about, the decorative wall pendant that also plays on other forms and relies on detail.

"I’m always doing something different. These energies have to be released," he says. For example, during the traditional meadow mowing, in order to then press the hay on the wooden squares, or searching for old boards that go from old barn joists to shabby style. "Not only do I like planning, I like doing too.” In his art, which is just as down-to-earth as the frame from which it falls. There is a lot to discover.
"Inser Hoamat" - a genuine piece of Zugspitz Region. alpenterieur® by Bernhard Ludwig Rieger. Created and made here.

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03 ALPENTERIEUR

Alpenterieur
Bernhard Rieger
Sonnleiten 8
82499 Wallgau
Tel.: 08825-9217030
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www.alpenterieur.com

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The mountains around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Quite a few meters in altitude above Buchbinderei Matheisl and yet so closely connected to it. Because where there is a summit, there is also a summit register. And this is a piece of cultural heritage. At least here. Not industrially manufactured, but rather created by the hands of the local master bookbinder. At the small Matheisl family business, which has been around for four generations and is not very easy to find.

WE BIND HOME

Quite the opposite in fact. Like Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, one has to look really closely along Schmiedstrasse in Garmisch. Only then will you find the door and entrance to another world. A place filled with stacks of paper, piled high with boxes and teeming with books. The proprietor Bernhard Matheisl also bears an undeniable resemblance to Hogwarts Teacher Filius Flitwick; and can surely create magic too. How else would he be able to make the many products in this tightly packed two square meter space without losing his way in the leafy maze? Clearly there is magic in play! Or a woman with a plan. In this case, his daughter Sabina, who keeps an eye on the big picture and completes the family business: "I like the entire spectrum, because what many do not know is that we bind more than just books." Her profession involves a surprising array of real paper fireworks - from handmade cases, cardboard boxes and folders, to bound chronicles, theses and brochures, to individual presentation folders, photo albums and menus - the possibilities are endless, as are the customers' ideas. "We do things that are not necessarily available to buy. Made with absolute precision, gladly far removed from the DIN standards. Everything is done in-house and made by us from start to finish."

Next to the machines, such as the large guillotine cutter and the oversized board cutter along with the essential embossing press, the most important tools are experienced hands. When applying real gold leaf for example, which can be blown away by the tiniest puff of air and is placed along the spine of the book with intense concentration. Or hand stitched yarn bindings, which hold the pages together lengthwise.
This special skill is also essential when restoring old works. Add to this a great love of detail and a strong sense of appreciation - Bernhard expresses this as follows: "Books are like people, they have a life of their own from the very beginning. Extending this life in a manner that remains true to the original is something very close to our hearts." How well he does this is demonstrated by the old Dillherr Bible dating from 1690, which came in battered and went out looking like a true gem.

In addition to the many orders, Matheisl also sells his own products. All well thought out and of the best quality. Such as the refillable notepad that captures thoughts and prevents electronic smog. Or the yarn-bound cookbook, which keeps family treats and traditions together. Whether for locals or summiteers, in leather or fabric, hand-dyed or individually embossed - each piece by Buchbinderei Matheisl preserves what is valuable and gives memories a home.

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11 Buchbinderei Schreibwaren Matheisl

BUCHBINDEREI SCHREIBWAREN MATHEISL

Bernhard Matheisl
Schmiedstraße 6
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Tel: +49 8821 4401
www.buchbinderei-matheisl.de
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If it is stormy outside with trees bending and branches falling, Toni Tiefenbacher can be found going from house to house. Not to visit the regulars' table but rather the next pear tree. Because everything that falls to the ground in the neighbourhood gardens is precious material to him for woodturning. This is how he relaxes, in his own workshop at home. Where he potters about in the company of the best fruit trees and enjoys the feeling of working with home-grown woods, something that cannot be bought. Upcycling is also a theme here - for example, the old oak floorboards dating from 1954 that take on new forms on his lathe. "I just think it’s nice when you take a piece of wood that is completely raw and then transform it into something else with your hands."

Fruit for the office and oak for the workshop.

In order to do this, the tables are turned when working the lathe. Because the clamped workpiece rotates at a speed of 2,500 against the craftsman, who then works the wood with various turning tools. A delicate task that requires great feeling: "Even a small error can ruin everything. A wrong cut, then there’s a crack and the piece is broken." This is why Toni practised regularly, which has resulted in some curiosities that still live in his workshop to this day: Such as the romantic wooden ring for a Dirndl ensemble, the thin-skinned bowl with the messed up base or the flightless but absolutely remarkable Star Wars-style Christmas tree pendant - the pool is big and the ideas reach to the tiniest grain. And it is precisely this that also plays an important role when it comes to his wooden pens and pencils.

"It is especially important in the case of the two-part pens for the grain to fit together. Stacked woods are often exciting, because the colouring is very individual." As is the form. Because there are many options to suit every taste, from the thick work pencils to the thinner office variants to the curvy pens. What all of the pens have in common is the wood and the fact that they are handmade and refillable. Whether gentlemen feel particularly attracted to the wasp waist of the pen? There is a lot to discover.

Inser Hoamat - a genuine piece of Zugspitz Region. Products from Da Doni Holzstiftmanufaktur. Created and made here.

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05 Da Doni Holzstiftmanufaktur

DA DONI HOLZSTIFTMANUFAKTUR
Toni Tiefenbacher
Walther-Siegfried-Straße 1
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Tel.: 08821 969866
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www.dadoni.de

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