Offbeat Traveler: Church of snow and ice opens in Bavaria, Germany

Last Wednesday, a church made of snow and ice opened in Mitterfirmiansreut, a town in southeastern Germany about 100 miles northeast of Munich, marking the 100th anniversary of an act of protest. A century ago, Mitterfirmiansreut residents demanded a church in their town. When they were denied, they built their own out of snow and ice.

Visitors tour the inside of the church.  (Armin Weigel / AFP / Getty Images)

The icy house of worship is 65 feet long and made of 49,000 cubic feet of snow and ice.  (Armin Weigel / AFP / Getty Images)

A worker puts the final touches on the church a day before its opening.  (Armin Weigel / AFP / Getty Images)