Munich Sightseeing

jescapes on 11 7, 2008

Munich lies in the heart of Schwaben-Bavarian plateau in south-eastern Germany. Close to Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the imposing Alpine barrier forms a spectacular backdrop visible from the city itself only on days when the  Fohn blows. This dry wind is precisely the most singular feature of the local climate, which is also characterized by cold winters and warmer summers. The River Isar, a key factor in the foundation of the original urban settlement, runs through Munich from south-west to north-east, creating pleasant nooks and crannies on its pass through the city, and which are particularly popular during the warmer months of the year.

With almost 1,300,000 inhabitants, Munich is Germany’s third-largest city. It is calculated that around one-quarter of the population of the Bavarian capital is foreign in origin, accentuating the cosmopolitan character of its people. But all the inhabitants of the city, whether by birth or by adoption are unanimous in their pride to the Munichers, a feeling to a large extent justified by the leading role the city plays in many different fields.

The people of Munich are friendly and open people. Its most famous Oktoberfest or October Beer Festival event attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The Attractions

1. The Old City

Marienplatz is the true heart of Munich. This was the scene of epic tourneys in which valiant knights demonstrated their ability with spear and sword and until the early-19th century it was the site of an important vegetable market.

The four figures at the base of the column symbolize War, Plague, Heresy and Famine but the most emblematic monument in Marienplatz is the Gothic Revival Neues Rathaus/New Town Hall. Building this edifice took 42 years to complete. The tower houses one of the greatest attractions of the Bavarian capital: the famous carillon, with its 43 bells and 32 copper figures.

2. North of the Old City

Odeonsplatz. The square was urbanized as part of the ambitious town planning reforms initiated by Louis I in the early-19th century with the purpose of extending the city and, at the same time, demonstrating the wealth and power of his reign.

An equestrian statue of Louis I presides over Odeonplatz and a step or two away is the Feldherrnhalle/Hall of the Field Marshalls, a monument 20 metres in height and in the Florentine style built in the 19th century at the command of the king, who wished to render homage to his army.

Beside this extraordinary monument stands the splendid Theatinerkirche/Theatines’ Church, built in the 17th century to celebrate the birth of a son, Ferdinand Mary, to the Prince Elector. Both the majestic facade with its two stylised towers and the beautiful dome, 71 meters high, and the interior later served as the model for the construction of other churches in Bavaria. Bordering on the Odeonplatz is a tiny square, Witteisbacherplatz.

Another attraction is the Hofgarten/Royal Garden which was created in the 17th century and takes its inspiration from Italian landscape gardening. In the center is a small temple devoted to the goddess Diana. The garden borders to the east with the Bayerische Staatskanzlei/Bavarian State Chancellory, built around the dome of the old Army Museaum. To the north is the Prinz-Carl-Palais, a neo-classical palace and so much more.

3. Haidhausen and Prinzregentenstrabe

Here you will find the Deutsches Museum/German Museum, one of the most important in the world of its kind and the museum which attracts most visitors each year in Germany. It is devoted to illustrating advances in the field of science and technology with over 17,000 pieces gathered together and distributed into sections.

Another place to visit is the Technology Forum’s IMAX cinema, whose size is amazing.

Going north, you’ll see the Maximilianeum which is now the seat of the Bavarian parliament. The building was built in the mid-19th century by order of King Maximilian. There is also the Angel of Peace sculpture along the banks of the Isar and many more.

4. Nymphenburg and the Botanical Gardens

Here stands the majestic Nymphenburg Castle in the midst of a lovely par in the west of the city. The most interesting features inside the castle are the Great Room, a rococo salon decorated with frescoes; the Gallery of Beauties, featuring the portraits of 36 Munich women; and the Porcelain Museum, exhibiting works produced at the factory.

5. The Olympic Park and the BMW Museum

The huge complex of sports and leisure facilities is dominated by the long shadow of the 290-metre high Olympic Tower. The tower has an observatory and revolving restaurant which commands some of the finest views of the city of Munich and of the nearby Alps. There is also the Theatron, an open-air theatre where varied programme of cultural events takes place each summer.

A visit to the BMW Museum is worthwhile just to see the building which houses it, a windowless silver-coloured semi-spherical construction. Get a glimpse of the company’s history as well as a glimpse of the vehicles of the future.

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