Psallierchor Tegernsee: The escape route remains the sticking point

Created: 07/11/2022, 07:00

By: Christina Jachert-Maier

The psallier choir could become a place for special events.

The bookshelves have long since been removed, but the important second escape route is still missing.

© Archive tp

The psallier choir, a rococo pearl, is to become a cultural site.

But: There are many unanswered questions.

The church doesn't move a millimeter.

Tegernsee – Just wait and see whether those involved will find a solution at some point: That doesn't fit the claim that district master builder Christian Boiger has for himself.

"I want to actively initiate something," he says.

The case of the psallier choir is particularly difficult.

In 2010, the head of the district savings bank at the time, Georg Bromme, transferred 1.5 million euros to Duke Max in Bavaria in order to acquire a “perpetual right of use” for the 150 square meter room.

However, this cannot be used, at least not for events: there is no second escape route.

Psallierchor Tegernsee: The escape route remains the sticking point

The Psalli Choir was once part of the Church of St. Quirinus and is currently only accessible through the Gymnasium.

An escape route could be created via the adjacent church room, but negotiations have not progressed for over ten years.

"My goal is to untie the knot," says Boiger.

As reported, Boiger reported a success at the district committee meeting.

Through a door in the wooden wall to the upper of the two Gothic sacristies of St. Quirinus, an escape route is to lead via an existing staircase into the inner courtyard of the castle.

The district savings bank will apply for a building permit.

With the creation of the escape route, the psallier choir could be made accessible to the public.

As the icing on the cake, four life-size paintings of important abbots of the Tegernsee monastery are to be hung in the psallier's choir.

The members of the district committee gave Boiger great praise and were delighted to accept a gift from Duke Max: the Wittelsbacher bequeathed a total of eight historical paintings to the district.

However, it will probably be some time before the pictures are presented in the psallier choir.

"We're on the right track, but we're not there yet," says Boiger.

He is in the process of "bringing the owners together in moderation".

The following are involved: the church, the ducal family, the district savings bank and the district.

"No one will take a blocking attitude," Boiger summarizes the result of his efforts.

Where the escape route can lead is also firmly lashed: via the southern inner courtyard to the outside.

"This is secured by easements," explains Boiger.

Difficult negotiations with church

But the crux of the matter is inside the building.

Fire protection not only requires an escape route for the psallier choir, but also for the church itself to have a second route to the outside.

Possibly both escape routes can be created together.

An architect's office is currently working on how this is possible.

"The order has been placed," reports Martin Mihalovits, Chairman of the Board of the Kreissparkasse.

It is important to him to finally solve the tiresome problem and to make the psallier choir accessible to the public: "It shouldn't fall into disrepair."

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But it's also about the money.

The 1.5 million euros that Bromme once paid for the right of use cannot be brought back by his successors, but now it is time to find an escape route.

In addition, there is no heating, electricity or water in the psallier choir.

Negotiations with the church about the financing of the measures necessary for use are still proving to be extremely tough.

"The church doesn't move an inch," notes Mihalovits.

The Archbishop's Ordinariate has now postponed an on-site meeting scheduled for the end of July to September.

Another report on fire protection is also required.

Which and how many events should take place in the Psallier Choir is open.

Monsignor Walter Waldschütz, who long ago designed a usage concept for the psallier choir - he was primarily thinking of school pastoral work - sees himself no longer involved as a pastor in Tegernsee.

The district master builder is very imaginative, explains Waldschütz: "I just asked that our services not be disturbed."