Munich
“the heart of Bavaria”
Known as Minga in the Bavarian dialect, its Standard German name München derives from its medieval name bei den Mönchen meaning “by the monks”. Munich is the capital of the state of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany.
Servus
The world-famous Oktoberfest was first celebrated in 1810 in Munich as a celebration for the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Ever since, it’s been held every year (with some noticeable exceptions during pandemics and world wars) and is today the largest Volksfest in the world.
The one and only
Locally, the festival is known as Wiesn, a name which refers to its location Theresienwiese in Munich. There are several festivals with the name Oktoberfest around the world, but only the one in Munich is the real one.
O’zapft is!
The festival is made up 14 tents (that look more like giant wooden huts) full of Bavarian decoration. The music is (you guessed it) traditional Bavarian music with accordion and brass instruments, and Schlager, German pop used for drinking.
Ein Prosit!
Traditional Bavarian clothing is made up of Lederhose (leather pants), a (usually checkered) shirt, suspenders, a jacket, long socks, and a Tirolerhut (hat). The girl version of the outfit is the Dirndl.
Die Tracht
Bier is an essential part of Munich. It is normally served as a Maß, i.e. one liter mug of beer.
Zwei mal Maß
This is the world’s most famous beer hall and the second most visited attraction in Munich after the Oktoberfest. With live music, local cuisine, and great beer, the place is as Bavarian as it gets. Its past isn’t perfect though, as this was the place where Hitler founded the Nazi party in 1920.
Food time
So what about food in Munich? Good luck if you’re vegan or vegetarian, because it’s all about the meat here. Schnitzel with a side of Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) is always a good option.
Meaty
Schweinebraten (roasted pork) with Knödel (boiled dumpling). And yes, it’s as meaty and greasy as it looks.
Chunky
Another option is Leberkäse mit Spiegelei. Leberkäse, literally “liver cheese” but not containing any of these two ingredients, is made by grinding beef, pork, and bacon very finely and then baking it as a loaf in a bread pan.
Meaty again
Of course, there’s also other types of food available. Here pictured is an exquisite crepe cake.
That’s sweet
Beer gardens are very popular in Munich. This restaurant even has ski gondolas where you can sit and eat.
Gondolas
With a height of 60 m, this man-made hill is made up of the rubble left in Munich after WWII.
Blue, green, and pink
This park was built for the 1972 Summer Olympic games. It includes FC Bayern München’s former stadium, Olympiastadion, which is still used for sporting events and concerts.
A day in the park
The park is also known for its characteristic roofs made of a tensile membrane.
The roofs
Munich is home to more than 80 museums.
Museum time
Located in the museum island, this is the world’s largest museum of science and technology.
Like a robot from 1984
Commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig I, this museum houses a collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. Originally made entirely out of marble, it was rebuilt after WWII with bricks.
Ancient times
About 2000 objects are in display in this museum. Here pictured are Horus and Anibus.
Egypt in Munich
This museum houses many mummies, however, only the sarcophagi are on display, since it is considered disrespectful to display the mummy itself.
Mummies
This modern art museum houses “Die Neue Sammlung”, the largest collection of industrial and product design in the world.
Art
Roter Ritter (red knight) by Imi Knoebel.
Use your imagination
Neon glow lamp by Tracey Emin.
It’s a sign
Someone left a lemon and a yellow light bulb on a table and people started taking pictures thinking they were part of the exhibition. Just kidding, it is in fact part of the exhibition. This piece is tittle “Capri-Batterie” by Joseph Beuys.
That’s art
Vincent van Gogh wanted to be known as the painter of sunflowers. The flower symbolizes the sun, as a symbol of life, here on an ice-cold turquoise background which extraordinarily enhances the yellow.
Van Gogh
So how’s the nightlife in Munich? Let’s just say it’s not too crazy, however, there are a couple of bars, Wirtshäuser, and clubs.
Negroni
Restaurant by day, party by night. Enter the Dragon offers Latino night once a month.
Party time
Also a restaurant by day, Senatore turns into a bar at night. Good lights and good vibes.
Lights
With clubs, bars, music venues, a flea market, and even a Ferris Wheel, this Viertel offers a more alternative vibe to the, otherwise very Bavarian, city.
Alternative
With graffiti, lights, containers, old train wagons, and techno, Bahnwährter Thiel is as alternative as Munich gets.
Vibes
Beer, music, and sand. The perfect place to visit during the summer.
Life’s a beach
Arctic Monkeys shot several scenes for the Four Out of Five music video in this metro station.
Do I wanna know?
Freddie Mercury lived in Stollbergstraße 4 between 1979 and 1985. He liked Munich because he could walk down the street without being chased by press like in London.
Ready Freddie
The home of FC Bayern München, it’s the perfect plan for football lovers.
FC Bayern
Of course, it’s decorated in Munich/Bavarian style.
Toys
The new town hall was finished in 1909 in Neo-Gothic style. Atop stands the München Kindl, German for Munich child, kind of like a kid monk, who is the symbol of the city and shows up recurringly throughout the city.
Neo-Gothic
With 306 steps, Alter Peter is great for getting the perfect top view of the city.
Up above
Officially Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau, this church was build in the middle ages, and there is a legend that the devil himself helped the architect in its construction and left his footprint inside.
Iconic
Standing 99 m high, it is forbidden for buildings in the city center to be higher than Frauenkirche.
Take me to church
Located in the English Gardens, Monopteros is a great place to watch the sunset.
Relax
This baroque palace was the summer residence for the former rulers of Bavaria.
Kings and queens
Ever had a beer with a church on the label while standing in front of that very same church?
Beer and church
From left to right: Neues Rathaus, Alter Peter, Frauenkirche, and (all the way to the right) the church of Giesing. And let’s not forget about the Alps in the background!
The city
In 1923 Hitler failed to seize control of Munich in what is known as the Beer Hall Putsch, which resulted in the death of 16 NS-party members. Once in power in 1933, Hitler erected a memorial plate in Odeonsplatz and passers-by were required to use the NS salute. This could be avoided by taking the Viscardigasse (later known popularly as Drückebergergasse). This golden trail was placed in 1995 as a memorial.
(G)old
The Justizpalast was the venue for Hitler’s trial after the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923.
Justice?
The Regierung von Oberbayern is the administrative district responsible for managing various aspects of Upper Bavaria, including key functions like education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
Regierung
When the bells start to jingle it’s time to visit a Christmas market and drink some Glühwein (mulled wine.)
Christmas time
Tollwood comes in two flavors, as an alternative Christmas market in Theresienwiese and as summer festival with concerts in Olympiapark.
Indigo
Even more alternative so is the Märchenbazar in Olympiapark mixing elements of Christmas markets with a twist.
Jingle bells
Or just visit a classic one in Marienplatz.
The nutcracker
Not in the mood for a Glühwein? Then have some Feuerzangenbowle with a rum-soaked sugarloaf set on fire. Just make sure you take a picture of it as soon as you get it, because the fire will be gone after 5 seconds.
On fire
Just as important as the München Kindl is die Brezn (the pretzel).
Symbols
The English Garden is larger than Central Park in New York, in fact, this is one of the world’s largest urban public parks.
Giddy up
This lovely sunset means that’s all, folks!
Auf wiedersehen
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