Berchtesgaden is a historic mountain town in the Bavarian Alps, close to the Austrian border, shaped by nature and centuries of history. It was first documented in the early 12th century, when an Augustinian monastery was founded here, becoming the political, economic, and spiritual center of the region. During the Middle Ages, Berchtesgaden gained great importance due to its rich salt deposits — salt mining brought wealth and independence and strongly influenced local architecture and culture.