A small stream runs down a central cobblestone street in the little Alpine village of Mittenwald in Bavaria, Germany, joining what’s almost a fairytale scene. Angels appear everywhere in the tiny town at the foot of the Alps. A walkway near the Church of Saints Peter and Paul ends in a square with a larger-than-life carved violin. Musical instrument making is one tradition this mountain town has become known for, but another tradition is its long history of fresco painting. Centuries-old pieces of art timelessly carry on in Mittenwald. The main part of town, Obermarkt, offers up countless shops and restaurants, all painted with bright scenes of the heavens, the Twelve Apostles, angels, and cherubs. Little scenes dot the town, bringing to life motifs that are mostly biblical. Cotton clouds can be found on window sills, door frames, beams, balconies, and most of the buildings. All of the paintings have since been waterproofed with modern solutions, but that hardly diminishes the artistry.
