A Present Built on the Past
120 years. Four generations.
Four different challenges.
One family.
The hippies of yesteryear
In 1905, lung specialist Christian von Mengershausen and his wife Barbara acquired a vacant farmhouse just above Bayrischzell, complete with a small cottage, an oven, meadows, mountain forests, and an alpine pasture.In 1905, the lung specialist Christian von Mengershausen and his wife Barbara purchased an empty farmhouse just above Bayrischzell, with its retirement cottage, bread oven, meadows, mountain forests and an alpine pasture.
Inspired by the ideas of the "Back to Nature" movement and PASTOR KNEIPP'S NATUROPATHY, they founded the Tannerhof health retreat. Silesius' saying:Inspired by the ideas of the "Back to Nature" movement and FATHER KNEIPP'S NATURE CURE, they founded the Tannerhof spa retreat. Silesius's saying:
"Man, become essential""Become essential, human being."
shaped their worldview and philosophy of life.shaped their view of life and the world.
The closest you could get to nature was in the newly built air huts on the mountainside, and as early as 1905, the first guests were looking for a summer retreat.The closest one could get to nature was in the freshly built Lufthütten on the mountainside, and as early as 1905 the first guests came up for their Sommerfrische (summer retreat).
Fasting and green pioneer
In 1934, the second generation, Johannes, took over with Ursula (who passed away in 1955) and later Anneli.In 1934, the second generation took over: Johannes with Ursula (died 1955), and later with Anneli.
As a dedicated naturopathic physician, Johannes brought the Tannerhof to nationwide prominence even before World War II.Johannes, a committed natural-medicine doctor, brought the Tannerhof to nationwide renown even before the Second World War.
After the war in 1953, he dared to make a courageous fresh start by adding a new wing to the Alte Tann. Here, too, guests supported the project through financial "building blocks." Johannes introduced with convictionAfter the war, in 1953, he dared a bold new beginning by adding a guest wing to the "Alte Tann." Here too, guests already supported the project in the form of financial "building stones." Johannes brought
Buchinger fastingBuchinger therapeutic fasting
at the Tannerhof and established a BIODYNAMIC MARKET GARDEN. In his later years, Johannes became increasingly active in environmental and health policy, and in his mid-70s, he was an enthusiastic early member of the GREEN party in Bavaria.to the Tannerhof with conviction, and built up a BIODYNAMIC NURSERY. In his later years, Johannes became increasingly active in environmental and health policy, and in his mid-seventies he was an enthusiastic early member of the GREENS in Bavaria.
The active preservers
Malte and Andrea von Mengershausen took over a thriving sanatorium for naturopathic treatments. The classic spa culture thus had a firm grip on the Tannerhof.Malte and Andrea von Mengershausen took over a flourishing sanatorium for naturopathy. The classic spa-cure tradition had the Tannerhof firmly in its grip.
Both of them, also doctors, increasingly focused on sports and cardiovascular training.Both doctors themselves, they placed greater emphasis on sport and cardiovascular training.
Malte's gymnastics classes were famousMalte's gymnastics classes were famous,
and Andrea served as the tireless, loving soul for guests and staff alike.and Andrea was the tireless, loving soul of the place — for guests and staff alike.
Their design focus was on preserving the buildings and making careful, modest adjustments to keep up with the times: small en-suite bathrooms replaced the shared hallway bathrooms.Their shared focus was on preserving the buildings and gently, modestly adapting them to the times: small en-suite bathrooms replaced the shared floor bathrooms.
The swimming pool was built in the 1970s,In the 1970s, the swimming pool was built,
which is located behind the orangery next to the fireplace room. Malte's sister Nele designed the beautiful canyon painting, influenced by her life in the USA.tucked behind the orangery beside the fireplace lounge. Malte's sister Nele created the beautiful canyon mural, shaped by her life in the USA.
New beginning - back to the roots
By 2004, a classic spa operation was no longer in tune with the times. The Tannerhof buildings also required a complete renovation. The 4th generation of Tannerhof physicians, Burgi and Roger, dared to make aBy 2004, a classic spa-cure business was no longer of its time. The buildings of the Tannerhof needed renewing too. The fourth-generation Tannerhof doctors Burgi and Roger dared
New beginninga new beginning
as a nature hotel & health resort and as a "hideaway in the mountains." Their vision is shaped by the original ideas of the older generations.as a Naturhotel & Health Resort, and as a "hideaway in the mountains." Their vision is rooted in the original ideas of the earlier generations.
In times ofIn an age of
"superficial indifference""superficial indifference"
and over-materialization, there is a longing for less instead of more. People are allowed to get back to the essentials – with modern (yet affectionate!) alpine architecture, the Tannerhof was reborn and renewed. With fasting. With quality treatments. With 100% organic products.and over-materialism, the longing turns toward less rather than more. People may once again become essential — and with modern (but devoted) alpine architecture, the Tannerhof was reborn, again. With fasting. With good treatments. 100% organic.
