Beach holiday / 03.11.2023

Munich population. Munich is the capital of Bavaria. Description of Munich for a tourist traveling to the capital of Bavaria

The first mention of the capital of Bavaria dates back to the 8th century, when monks settled on a hill located on the banks of the Isar River. St. Peter's Church, preserved on that site, is the oldest church in the city and is one of the main sights of Munich. The monks collected taxes from caravans carrying salt through the Isar, their settlement grew richer and expanded. But in 1157, the Bavarian Duke Heinrich the Lion of the Welf family took this source of income into his own hands. And the town of Munich, which appeared in that place, retained in its name the memory of its founders - the monks.

The city grew, houses were built, markets opened, and its own coins were minted. All this continued until 1180, when, to the misfortune of Heinrich Welf, Frederick I Barbarossa, who had reconciled with the Pope, returned to Germany. The Firebeard Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire accused Welf of appropriating the monastic lands, deprived him of all privileges and divided his fiefdom among his confidants, not forgetting himself.Bavaria went to the Wittelsbachs, who ruled it for almost 850 years. Throughout this time, Munich was their residence, gradually becoming the capital of Upper Bavaria, then the united Bavaria, and in 1806 - the main city of the kingdom.

The heart of Munich is its central square Marienplatz. It was originally called Schrannenplatz and was a grain market. In the dark times of the Middle Ages, in addition to trade, knightly tournaments, and performances by traveling actors, executions were carried out here. And it acquired its current name thanks to a column installed in the 17th century with the figure of the heavenly patron of Munich, the Holy Virgin Mary and Child.

Marienplatz Square is decorated with two town halls - Old and New. The old one was built in the 14th century. in the eastern part of the square. In 1460, it was struck by lightning, the consequences of this cataclysm, as well as new trends in architecture, led to another reconstruction of the building in the late Gothic style, carried out by the architect Halsbach. Subsequently, the town hall was remodeled for the Renaissance and, finally, in the 19th century. reconstructed in neo-Gothic style.

In 1874, the magistrate and city council moved to a new town hall, built in the northern part of the square. The old town hall was significantly destroyed as a result of Allied bombings in World War II and took a long time to be restored. In the early 70s, it acquired a new spire, and now most of it is occupied by a toy museum.

Next to Marienplatz is the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (“Frauenkirche”) - the main temple of the capital of Bavaria. It's impossible to imagine without him Munich, photo These attractions are a kind of calling card of the city.

Construction of the Frauenkirche began in 1468 and was completed in 57 years, which is quite fast by the standards of many long-term construction churches. The height of its towers is 99 meters, it is the tallest cathedral in the city. It looks a little unusual: the shape of its domes resembles onions, uncharacteristic of Gothic architecture. These “Romanesque” helmets copy the dome of the Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

The interior of the cathedral is strict and ascetic; there is no rich decor, frescoes, or stucco moldings. The walls and columns are made in white, the only decorations are elegant golden lace on the ceiling and a crucifix that seems to be floating in the air.

The oldest church in Munich is St. Peter's Church (“Alter Peter”), the first building of which was erected in the 11th century. Throughout its centuries-old history, it has been repeatedly destroyed, restored, and rebuilt. First, on the site of the wooden church, by order of Duke Otto I of Wittelsbach, a standard three-nave basilica in the Romanesque style was built for that time. In the 13th century it is demolished and a new temple in the Gothic style is erected, which after 100 years completely burns down.

With donations from citizens, the Church of St. Petra is being rebuilt. In the 18th century It is being remodeled in the Rococo style. During World War II, the temple was again destroyed by American bombs. Its final restoration was completed only at the beginning of the 21st century.

Palaces and Munich castles have an equally rich and dramatic history. The main one is the Munich Residence, founded in 1385 on the basis of Neuveste Castle, which served as a refuge for the Bavarian dukes during feudal civil strife. Later, the castle-fortress lost its defensive significance and was rebuilt, turning into the palace of the rulers of Bavaria.

The Munich residence consists of almost two dozen buildings built from the 14th to the 19th centuries. and mixed the styles of Baroque, Rococo and Classicism. These are ten courtyards and three main complexes: the Old Residence, the Royal Apartments and the Celebration Hall structures. From 1897 to this day, the premises of the complex are open to the public.

The palace is actively used for receptions and concerts; some of the premises are given over to Munich museums. Their halls contain luxurious collections of marble sculpture, painting, wall painting and heraldry. The Ancestors Gallery will tell you about the history of the Wittelsbach royal family, and the Porcelain Cabinet displays products by German and Asian masters.

The Palace Church is a striking example of Rococo, and the Imperial Hall is decorated with ceiling paintings and gilded stucco.

In the west of Munich there is Nymphenburg Palace - the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, which was built from 1664 to 1675 by the architect A. Barelli in the Baroque style. Later, architectural elements of the then fashionable Rococo were added, which successfully fit into the overall ensemble.

The interior decoration of Nymphenburg is not inferior to its external grandeur. Of particular interest are: the Great Hall, decorated in the Rococo style and with frescoes by Zimmermann; the famous Gallery of 36 beauties with portraits of the artist Stieler; Lacquered cabinet with black and red lacquered Chinese panels. The buildings of the complex are harmoniously built into the natural landscape, complemented by man-made lakes, canals, grottoes, parks and gardens.

Not far from the Nymphs' Palace is the equally romantic Blutenburg Castle. It was built on the site of a hunting lodge by Duke Albrecht III, nicknamed the Pious, for meetings with his beloved Agnes, the daughter of a barber. This connection with a commoner infuriated his father, Duke Ernst, and he, luring his son out hunting, arranged a quick trial of Agnes. The girl was recognized as a witch and drowned in the river. Albrecht grieved, wanted to kill his father, then reconciled and married, as befits a duke, a princess.

But not only heartless tyrants ruled Bavaria, there were also patrons of the arts in the Wittelsbach dynasty, who opened theaters, donated their collections to museums, and patronized the sciences. Maximilian I built an opera house in 1818, on the stage of which Wagner’s famous “Die Walküre” and Strauss’ “Capriccio” were first presented to the public.

The theater building was destroyed several times: in 1823 by fire, in 1943 by bombing. But it was restored and expanded, and now it is the main venue for the Bavarian State Opera and Ballet.

Munich is also called the city of beer and museums. After all, it is here that the largest beer festival, Oktoberfest, is held, attracting up to 6 million fans every year. In the main city of Bavaria there is also the famous German Museum. It is located on the island of the same name and has the world's largest exhibition dedicated to the achievements of science and technology.

Beautiful and very unique Munich. Tourists speak of it, for the most part, as the most “non-German” city in Germany, so much is the French, Dutch and Italian influence felt in its architecture. A city with a complicated history, despite all the wars, fires and bombings, continues to delight with its beauty.

Munich is divided into 25 administrative districts, this division does not make much sense for travelers and we will not cover all districts. Most of Munich's main attractions are in Altstadt (Altstadt, wikivoyage, on the map) and Maxvorstadt (Maxvorstadt, wikivoyage, on the map). Districts Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt on the map) and Haidhausen (Haidhausen, on the map) are major nightlife spots.

The heart of the Old Town is Marienplatz Square. on the map), the city's main square since 1158: a pedestrian zone, a shopping paradise and the main tourist center. In the center of the square is the Marian and Holy Trinity column (wiki), and around and within walking distance are almost all the most important historical attractions of Munich. Three weeks before Christmas, the Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) begins at Marienplatz, selling Christmas goods, food and drinks.

The kings of Bavaria turned Munich into the artistic capital of Germany. The Kunstareal district alone ( on the map) in Maxvorstadt includes 16 museums, 40 galleries and 7 art schools. Bavarian National Museum (Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, on the map), one of the most important cultural history museums in Europe, housing a large collection of European artefacts from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. Old Pinakothek (Alte Pinakothek, on the map) - the most visited museum in the city, is located in a gloomy building built in the Venetian Renaissance style by Leo von Klenze, the court architect of Louis I of Bavaria. It houses 9,000 paintings by 1,400 artists.

The city center is best explored on foot and should not pose any problems due to its fairly compact size. However, you can additionally take tram line 19, which crosses the city center with lots of picturesque architecture along the way.

If you get tired of wandering around the city, then head to the English Garden to relax (English Garden, wikivoyage, on the map). A public city park with an area of 370 hectares, it is larger than New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park. Vast open meadows and almost 80 km of bike paths and walking trails make it an ideal location for any type of outdoor activity. Although many here like to just lie on the grass without any activity. In the summer, the park hosts concerts and free performances.

Another place that I will mention separately is Neues Rathaus / Glockenspiel (*New Town Hall, on the map) - The Town Hall itself is certainly interesting and has a rich history, but even more interesting is the Rathaus-Glockenspiel (wiki), a mechanical device with a whole theatrical performance. Every day at 11 and 12 am (and 5 pm in the summer) this device rings and plays two stories from the 16th century. Consists of 43 bells and 32 figures.

Munich flea markets can be very successful as they consist of private sellers selling their unwanted personal items with minimal commercial interest.

Auer Dult - the fair takes place three times a year (spring, summer and autumn) in Haidhausen (Haidhausen, on the map), mainly with household items and antiques. Among other things, you will find a lot of beer and attractions here.

Theresienwiese - (Theresa's Meadow,) in addition to the well-known Oktoberfest, the largest flea fair in Europe is held here. Takes place on the first Saturday of Frühlingsfest (spring festival in mid-April).

Hofflohmärkte - You can find your nearest flea market on the website. This is a whole syndicate of people who like to get rid of and acquire unnecessary things.

Munich is a safe city for both residents and travelers, and violent crime is extremely rare. Walking around during the day or night is not a problem and you likely won't encounter any crime, but you should take the usual precautions. The vast majority of petty crime, especially theft, occurs in the central Altstadt-Lechel district. The areas immediately surrounding the train station require extra vigilance for pickpockets and bar fights.

In addition to the official tourism website, you can find out about upcoming events in Munich on the website of one of the city’s main tabloids www.tz.de or in-muenchen.de and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

TRANSPORT

Munich MVV / routes and maps | All public transport in Munich is better organized than in Berlin or Hamburg. For ticket information, see the official website

A two-hour drive away there are several large lakes and ski resorts, which has created a temperate climate in the region, with a transition from marine to continental. The little snowy winter and cool summer have largely contributed to the fact that excursion holidays in Munich are relevant all year round. However, there are exceptions when the thermometer in winter can drop to ... -30 C°.

Story

The history of the city begins in the 8th century; it was at this time that a small settlement of monks appeared here, which later acquired the status of a city. Over time, the lands came into the possession of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which ruled Bavaria until its division in 1255, but until 1918 the city remained their residence. Today, the Wittelsbach Palace operates as a museum and is open to tourists throughout the year.

During the First World War, Munich suffered greatly from air attacks organized by French troops. In 1918, the November Revolution brings the Social Democrats to power. King Ludwig III and his family have to flee the city. In 1919, the Bavarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed in April, but a month later it was liquidated by government forces.

The Second World War also left its mark on the city. Munich suffered more from Allied bombing. The result of seventy raids on the city was the almost complete destruction of its historical part, and Munich itself was 50% in ruins.

In the post-war period, the city quickly recovered and already in 1972 it was awarded the honor of hosting the Olympic Games on its territory. The Olympic Park, built specifically for this event, is still a place of pilgrimage for tourists.

Useful information for tourists

Getting around the city is much more convenient by public transport than by taxi. Firstly, taxis are expensive, and secondly, finding a car is not so easy, only in special parking lots. Moreover, not every local resident will be able to give you the number of a taxi service, since few people use this service. Everyone has heard about German pedantry, but the organization of public transport can be the best way to see this.

Munich is connected by a large and well-branched network of trams, buses, metro and even S-Bahn trains. They all run on schedule, down to the minute. Those cases when transport is delayed are rare - so rare that it becomes the event of the day.

To move around the city comfortably, just choose the right ticket. At first glance, this may seem like a difficult task, but if you plan your tourist route in advance and understand the German language a little, everything is quite simple. The Munich transport system is divided into 4 zones, internal, white and green (XXL) and general. The cost of tickets depends not on the distance you need to travel, and not even on the type of transport, but on the zone. For a tourist, the most optimal would be a day or three-day ticket Single-Tageskarte (for one person) or Partner-Tageskarte (up to 5 people).

How to get to Munich

Munich Franz Josef Strauß Airport (Flughafen München “Franz Josef Strauß”) receives more than a hundred flights daily from around the world, including from Russia. From the airport to the city center you can take the S-Bahn train, which stops at all significant stops in the city. You can buy a train ticket from one of the many machines, which, as a rule, are located right next to the escalators. Taxis are also available for Munich guests. The cost of a trip from the airport will be significantly higher than in the city.

You can also get to Munich by train. The railway connection here is well developed. However, those who like to travel by car will be satisfied with the road infrastructure, because many autobahns in German cities are connected specifically to Munich.

Where to stay

You can stay anywhere in Munich. It all depends on the tastes and preferences of the tourist. Luxurious and modest hotels, inexpensive apartments, hostels - everything is at the disposal of guests. However, you should take care of booking in advance, especially if we are talking about the peak tourist season.

Shopping and purchases

The capital of Bavaria will enchant shopping lovers. In Munich, in addition to large shopping centers where time flies unnoticed, on literally every street you can find boutiques of famous brands, souvenir shops and a variety of shops offering to buy anything you want. However, it is worth noting that boutiques and small shops are usually open until 18:00 and only from Monday to Saturday.

Seasonal markets and fairs

Antique market - you can only get to it on the first Saturday of the month. Here you can buy antique jewelry, furniture, accessories, postcards, and stamps.

BRK-Flohmark is a grand fair taking place at the end of April. Here you can buy children's things and toys, including antique ones, and their cost will be much lower than in local shops.

Riem Market is the largest Bavarian market. Mostly people come here to sell old things, but it’s difficult to call them old, rather new ones that have not found use in everyday life.

Viktualienmarkt - flea market. Contrary to prevailing stereotypes, for more than 200 years they have been selling not unnecessary things, but all kinds of products, including delicacies. By the way, farm products are constantly brought here, and bakeries also operate on the territory of the market.

Sights of Munich

If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Munich, feel the atmosphere of the capital of Bavaria, visit its main attractions: Frauenkirche, Nymphenburg Palace, St. Peter (St. Peter's Church), Residence, Old Town Hall. No less interesting would be a visit to the BMW Museum, Karlplatz. And, of course, do not forget to visit the English Garden and the Olympic Park.

Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) is a Gothic cathedral built in the 15th century, one of the symbols of Munich. The cathedral is 109 meters long, 40 meters wide and 37 meters high and can accommodate 20,000 people. The architecture of the cathedral features two towers, almost 100 meters high with stunning views of the city. The Frauenkirche is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. This is a simple brick three-nave church with simple interior decoration. The footprint in the church hallway is called the Devil's footprint. According to legend, the evil spirit argued with the architect of the cathedral, but lost the argument. Enraged, he turned into the wind and tried to destroy the temple. That is why there is always a light breeze here.

Nymphenburg Palace is one of the main attractions of Munich, a luxurious palace with a picturesque garden and a canal. Built as a summer residence for kings, the palace amazes with its luxury and severity of form. The construction of Nymphenburg dates back to the 17th century. The architect was the Italian Barelli. Inside you can appreciate the life of monarchs, see objects of art and history. No less famous is the palace park - 229 hectares of park landscape in the English style. You can take a gondola ride along the palace canal.

Marienplatz

Munich's Marienplatz square with the New and Old Town Halls is the world famous center of the Bavarian capital. This is a real place of attraction for guests and residents of the city, a venue for major cultural events and fairs.

Particularly striking in the architecture of the square is the New Town Hall, a grandiose neo-Gothic building built at the beginning of the 20th century. Now the Munich City Council sits here. The tower of the New Town Hall provides a wonderful view of the old town. You can climb it by elevator.

In the center of the square there is an 11-meter Marian column from the late 16th century with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary with Christ.

Old Town Hall (left) and St. Petra (right)

In the eastern part of Marienplatz you can see two interesting buildings at once. The Old Town Hall is an ancient building from the 14th century in Gothic style, restored after the destruction of World War II. The tower houses a toy museum.

Next to the Old Town Hall is the Cathedral of St. Petra is the oldest parish church in Munich, whose history goes back more than 8 centuries. The building combines features of many architectural styles, and a beautiful Baroque altar was built inside. The cathedral's architecture features a 91-meter tower that offers one of the most beautiful views of Munich. To do this you need to overcome more than 300 steps.

The Allianz Arena is the home stadium of the Bayern Munich football club, one of the most famous and comfortable stadiums in the world.

Karlplatz (Charles Square) is one of the main squares of the historical center with beautiful architecture. The square is named in honor of Charles IV Theodor, although the Munich residents themselves simply call the square Stachus. In honor of the old beer tavern that existed before its formation. The main architectural attraction is the Charles Gate - an ancient Gothic gate from the early 14th century, which used to be part of the city fortifications. Opposite is the Neo-Baroque Palace of Justice and the Kaufhof Gallery shopping complex. The main pedestrian street connects Karlplatz with another central square, Marienplatz.

Odeonplatz is an Italian-style square in the northern part of the historical center of Munich near Ludwigstrasse. Here you can admire a beautiful 17th-century church in late Baroque style with two powerful towers and a dome, a loggia similar to the structure in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, the royal residence and the Hofgarten garden.

The residence is one of the largest palace complexes in Germany, located near Odeonplatz on Max-Joseph-Platz. This is an impressive structure with an area of more than 23,000 square meters. meters with luxurious halls in the style of classicism, baroque and rococo, decorated with objects of culture and art. The history of the Residence is more than 600 years. More than 40 original bronze sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries are exhibited in the bronze halls of the palace, and the treasury contains royal regalia and other valuables.

The Olympic Park is one of the most beautiful and popular places in Munich. Built on the occasion of the 1972 Olympic Games. Several famous places in Bavaria are located here: the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Hall and the Olympic Towers. In addition, there is the largest amusement park in Bavaria, concerts, entertainment and cultural events, festivals and various sporting events are held here.

Other sights of Munich

BMW Welt is a museum of the world famous BMW brand. Exhibitions and promotions, excursions around the museum and factory are held here.

Pinakothek is an art gallery in Munich. The Old Pinakothek exhibits European paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries, while the New and Modern Pinakothek displays about 400 works of art from the 18th to 20th centuries.

The Bavarian State Opera is one of the largest opera houses in the world, giving 450 performances annually.

Hofbräuhaus is an old beer house. Here you can touch the secrets and traditions of Bavarian brewing, enjoy regional cuisine, beer, music and folk dances that convey the historical atmosphere of Munich.

The Old Court is the old imperial residence, located along the road from Marienplatz. This is Munich's Kaiserburg, where the museum is located.

Oktoberfest is Germany's legendary beer festival, held annually in Munich in the fall from mid-September to early October. This is the largest beer festival in the world, visited by more than 6 million tourists. During this time, millions of liters of beer are drunk here. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture and its roots go back to the Middle Ages.

Video - Munich

Munich is a city of 1.5 million people and the capital of Bavaria, the largest region in the southeast. Tours to Munich are popular among travelers due to the huge number of historical monuments, picturesque nature and the status of the “beer capital” of the world - the famous Oktoberfest festival takes place here. The city lives by the motto “Munich loves you”, and this is felt in everything. Bavarians are smiling, friendly, and the city has an atmosphere of endless celebration.

How to get there

To visit Munich you need a Schengen visa.

A direct flight to Munich from takes 3 hours 15 minutes, from Munich - 2 hours 55 minutes. Landing takes place at Munich International Airport “Franz Josef Strauss”, 32 kilometers from the city. From the airport you can get to the center of Munich by S-Bahn (lines S1 and S8). Flixbus and Lufthansa Express buses also go to the center.

Round-trip flights to Munich

Prices for tickets per person departing from Berlin are shown.

Hotels

In Munich, both budget and wealthy tourists will find a hotel that is affordable. There are both hotels of famous world chains and inexpensive hostels. Almost all hotels and apartments offer free Wi-Fi. If you're going to Munich for Oktoberfest or New Year's, it's worth booking your accommodation several months in advance.

The most expensive hotels in Munich are located closer to the center. Hotels on Munich's busiest street, Schillerstrasse, are usually chosen by young people and active tourists. At night it is quite noisy due to the numerous bars and beer restaurants. For the comfort of home and a good night's sleep, it is better to go to hotels in residential areas.

Attractions

The best place to start exploring Munich is from the center - the main square of the city, Marienplatz. Here is the building of the New Town Hall with the famous Glockenspiel chimes. Several times a day, at the striking of the clock, a puppet show takes place at the town hall. The 85-meter tower of the New Town Hall has an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the old town.

Here, on the square, is St. Peter's Cathedral. According to legend, it was on this spot that the city was born. You need to get into the church at least to climb up to the observation deck and see the mesmerizing panorama of Munich.

Not far from Marienplatz is the main church of Munich - Frauenkirche. These are the same 99-meter towers that are usually depicted on souvenirs and postcards from Munich. The history of the church goes back to the 15th century. According to legend, the Devil himself left his mark inside the church - his imprint can be seen at the entrance. The cathedral was built in the Baroque style and is considered the most beautiful architectural monument in Bavaria.

There are so many museums in Munich that it’s impossible to see them all in a few days. The Deutsche Museum is not to be missed. It is located on Museum Island on the Isar River. These are huge exhibition halls dedicated to technology, science and transport. Here, for example, a real rocket is on display as an exhibit. The planetarium and miniatures section are especially popular.

The Alte Pinakothek is another must-see museum in Munich. Paintings dating from the 14th to 16th centuries are presented here. In Munich's oldest art museum you can see works by Da Vinci, Botticelli and Brandt. Directly opposite the museum is the Neue Pinakothek. Paintings and sculptures by masters of the 19th and early 20th centuries are exhibited here, including Claude Monet and Van Gogh.

When traveling to Munich with children, don't forget to check out the Munich Zoo - the largest in Europe. Here you can feed wild animals from special machines, and also learn the geography of the earth in a playful way.

Bavarians love to spend time in their city garden. The English Garden became famous throughout the world due to its size. It stretches from the center to the northern outskirts. Even New York's Central Park is larger in area. It’s nice to sit on the lawn here, listen to the birds singing and plunge into the atmosphere of slow-paced Bavarian life.

Oktoberfest

Every year at the end of September - beginning of October, lovers of the foamy drink from all over the planet flock to Munich. Festival-goers drink millions of liters of beer and eat thousands of kilograms of branded sausages, pretzels and pork knuckles. Due to the great popularity of Oktoberfest, autumn is the busiest time in Munich. There are crowds of tourists on the streets, and there are no empty rooms in the hotels.

The scale of the festival is also indicated by the number of things lost by visitors. The organizers keep such funny statistics. For example, in 2018, after the festival, 2,685 lost items were found, including 840 passports, 460 wallets, 350 phones, 300 keys, 140 glasses, 130 jewelry, 90 bags and backpacks, 20 umbrellas and 5 video cameras, as well as several wedding rings.

Kitchen

The Bavarians managed to preserve the culinary traditions of their ancestors. They use the same seasonings in the kitchen as they did hundreds of years ago. That is why you should definitely try national dishes in Munich. Pork knuckles, sausages, pates and cheeses here have an incomparable taste. You can start your gastronomic tour in one of the Munich restaurants with cold appetizers. For example, with obatsda cheese pate. It contains cottage cheese, grated cheese, dill, herbs and, of course, beer. The pate is served with a signature salted pretzel.

Other popular light dishes include Munich weisswurst sausages. They are white in color because they contain no dyes or additives, but only minced veal, lard and parsley. The sausages are prepared very quickly - immersed in boiling water for a few minutes. Weisswurst is served with signature honey mustard. Bavarians don’t really like soups, but if they make them, you can fill up on them for the day ahead, they are so filling and fatty. Traditional eintopf is usually made from whatever is in the Municher's refrigerator. Potatoes, pasta, meat and legumes are placed in a strong beef broth.

If you decide to try the classics of Bavarian cuisine, be sure to order the Schweinhaxe pork knuckle. This is a pork leg that is soaked in a proprietary marinade and baked until crispy. Potato dumplings are prepared as a side dish for the knuckle. And according to ancient tradition, meat is served with a fork stuck into it.

If after this high-calorie feast you can still handle dessert, then order a piece of the signature Munich multi-layer cake. Several layers of sponge cake and meringue are combined with a nut layer and butter cream.

Souvenirs

What else can you bring from the beer capital if not beer and a beer mug? Traditional cups for a foamy drink are sold in volumes of half a liter, as well as a liter, two and even more. The famous pretzel can also become an edible souvenir. This is the same Munich pretzel, which is prepared according to a special recipe from salt dough. Mustard jars and local seasonings are also popular.

The national costumes of the Bavarians are their special pride. Munich people love and wear their traditional clothes even in everyday life. Bringing leather brewer's trousers with suspenders from Munich or a lace blouse with a low neckline for a lady is a special chic. Costumes are expensive, but you can at least take with you the famous Tyrolean hat with a feather for a few euros.

Transport

You can get around the city by metro (U-Bahn), city trains (S-Bahn), buses and trams. Getting anywhere is not a problem - the transport network covers the entire city. Tickets are valid for all types of transport, but differ in the area of validity and duration of the trip. You can purchase a single trip ticket, an all-day ticket, a group ticket, as well as tourist cards. It is better to view all types of tickets on the Munich Transport website - MVV. The ticket must be validated and kept until the end of the trip in order to present it to the controller.

Good to know

In winter, clocks in Munich are 2 hours behind Moscow, in summer - 1 hour.
Shops close exactly at 20:00, and on Sunday many establishments are not open at all.
City Day is celebrated in mid-June. Fairs, concerts, and theatrical performances take place throughout Munich.
In 2020, Oktoberfest will take place from September 19 to October 4.

Munich - the capital of beer and baroque

Munich is unlike any other city in Germany. The Bavarian capital has its own architectural appearance and a special, colorful and expansive lifestyle. This city is called “Bavarian Rome”. The majestic beauty of its layout has a truly imperial scale, the features of a world capital. Baroque cathedrals and pompous buildings in the classicist style reinforce this impression.

“German Rome” is how the capital of Bavaria, Munich, is often called. The history of Munich goes back centuries - the official date of its founding is considered to be 1158. With its unique Old Town Hall and the historic Hofbräuhaus, beer festivals and excellent museums, Munich is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world. It is also a large industrial metropolis: since the 60s, world-famous companies such as Agfa, BMW, Siemens were created here, and the film industry also developed. For the Germans themselves, Munich remains a symbol of beer, tradition and celebration. Bavarians secretly consider it the capital of Germany and are very proud of it. Munich is the tourist Mecca of Germany, a city of grace and joy of life

Munich has many faces. Munich is a metropolis and a “big village”, where people will greet you on the street. Munich is a large open-air museum of architecture of all European styles, from Gothic to Art Nouveau. Munich is home to world-famous beer, fried sausages, white pretzels and the world's largest Oktoberfest. Munich is home to chic boutiques and a huge number of European and especially German celebrities. Munich is the industrial capital of Germany. Munich is a city of cinema. Munich – treasures of world painting in the Pinakothek. Munich is waiting for you, just as it waits for tourists from all over the world every year, and it is significant that the Germans themselves go on vacation to Munich with pleasure!

Munich - Munich

places (layout and main buildings mainly designed by the architect G. Benish and others), an Olympic village for 12 thousand people. (layout and landscaping designed by architect G. Gollein). A city railway line and a new metro line were built.

Lit.: Kreisel N., München, die Stadt als Kunstwerk, , 1968.

Klenze. Propylaea in M Yu nhene. 1846-60.

M Yu nhen. City plan.

Amalienburg Palace in Nymphenburg Park.

1734-39. Architect F. Cuvillier.

Olimpic village. 1968-72. Planning and landscaping designed by architect G. Gollein.

Old Town Hall.

1470. Architect J. Ganghofer.

Glyptothek. 1816-30. Architect L. von Klenze.

The administrative building of the Osram electric lamp industry enterprise. 1964-65. Architects W. Henn, D. Strebel.

Theatinerkirche.

1663-1767. Architects A. Berelli, E. Zuccalli, F. Cuvillier.

Church of St. Michael's Church. 1583-97. Architect F. Sustris. In the background is the Frauenkirche church (1466-92, architect J. Ganghofer).

M Yu nhen. General view of the city.

Munich

This city in southern Germany is located on the Isar River and is the capital of the federal state of Bavaria and, at the same time, the administrative district of Upper Bavaria.

The so-called “free city”.

Administrative division. Back in 1996, Munich was administratively divided into 41 districts, but as a result of the reform, their number was reduced to 25.

The name of the city comes from the Old High German “Munichen”, which means “with the monks”.

Population of Munich is 1,410,259 people - it is the largest city in Bavaria and the third largest among German cities.

Local government. The federal government of Bavaria, the government of Upper Bavaria, and the Munich district office are located here.

Education and science

Munich is a major industrial and research center.

Famous universities are located here - the Technical University of Munich, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (originally founded in 1472.

in Ingolstadt, and since 1826 located in Munich), as well as the Institute of Plasma Physics. Max Planck, Hochschule für Musik, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts.

Of no small importance is one of the largest libraries in Europe - the Bavarian State Library, numbering 6 million.

copies of the fund. In addition, Munich is home to a nuclear research reactor, the Philharmonic, the Giesing and Sendling observatories.

Sights, architecture

The central square of the city with the column of the Virgin Mary erected by Emperor Maximilian I is called Marienplatz, around it there are various attractions, incl.

Old and New Town Halls.

There are many architectural and historical monuments here.

The area of ancient buildings is called the Old Town - with the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God located here, the tallest in Munich (bell tower height 99 m), and other churches.

St. Peter's Church is the oldest church in Munich, built in the 12th century.

True, at the beginning of the 14th century, it was badly destroyed and restored, but in a different, Romanesque style.

The Church of St. Michael was built at the end of the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful buildings of the German Renaissance.

Here are many kings and princes from the Wittelsbach dynasty (among them Ludwig II of Bavaria, who went down in history under the nickname of the “fairy-tale king”). The Theatine Church of St. Cajetan of the 17th century is distinguished by its grandiose dimensions (the height of the dome is 71 m.) The Asamkirche church, considered a masterpiece in the late Baroque style, is very beautiful.

Museums

Munich is called the “city of museums”; many of them were founded by Louis I of Bavaria: these are the old and new Pinakothek and Glyptothek.

The Alte Pinakothek is Munich's most visited museum, with a collection of masterpieces by European Old Masters that includes 9,000 paintings by 1,400 artists.

The New Pinakothek was built in the middle of the 19th century by order of Louis I of Bavaria, but was destroyed during the Second World War and restored in the late 70s of the 20th century.

Its halls display about 550 paintings and 50 works of sculpture. The collection covers the period from Rococo to Art Nouveau, as well as Impressionist painting.

The Glyptotek is the oldest of Munich's museums and the first museum in Europe open to the public.

Here are masterpieces of ancient sculpture from the collection collected by Louis I of Bavaria. The gallery of contemporary art is located in the House of Arts. Its collection consists of 400 paintings and sculptures dating from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day, including surrealists, fauvists and cubists. You can't miss works by Klee, Ernst Kirchner, Emil Nolde, August Macke, as well as 14 works by Picasso.

The German Museum is considered one of the largest technical museums in Europe; it is dedicated to natural sciences and technology.

It was founded in 1903. Oscar von Miller.

Estate museums are also interesting. Thus, Villa Lenbach is a museum located in the building of the villa of the artist Franz Lenbach; its collection includes works by artists who were part of the Blue Rider group, incl. and Wassily Kandinsky.

Frescoes and paintings of neo-romanticism and symbolism are exhibited in Villa Stuka.

artist Franz von Stuck.

The Munich Museum is dedicated to the history of this city; there is a wonderful collection of old engravings and models of Munich.

It is also worth visiting the Toy Museum, the German Theater Museum, and the BMW Museum.

Other attractions

The English Park is very beautiful, which is one of the largest city parks in the world - it stretches from the center of Munich to its outskirts along the banks of the river. Izar.

The “Olympic Park” architectural complex in a modern style, built for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, is unique.

The 290-meter tower and the observatory with a glass and metal roof in the form of a huge tent are impressive. There is also a water stadium, an Olympic stadium, an ice skating rink and a velodrome, and on the tower there is a revolving restaurant with an observation deck.

A remarkable architectural monument is Nymphenburg Palace, the former summer residence of the Wittelsbachs. The palace was built by order of Elector Ferdinand Maria in the 17th century in the Baroque style - it is the largest Baroque palace in Germany.

An interesting thing in this palace is the Gallery of Beauties - a hall decorated by order of King Louis I with portraits of the most beautiful ladies. In Nymphenburg Park there are 3 more modest castles (Amalienburg, Badenburg and Pagodenburg) and the Magdalenenklause chapel.

In addition, it is worth seeing with your own eyes the following architectural ensembles: Allianz Arena, Munich Residence, Blutenburg Castle, Maximilianeum, Holnstein Palace.

Sport

There are 2 football teams in Munich: Bayern and Munich 1860.

Bayern is the most popular and titled German football club.

Public transport

The basis of public transport in Munich is a network of fast trains connecting city trains and the subway. There are also bus and tram routes. The fare here is charged not depending on the number of transfers and modes of transport, but on the number of conventional transport zones of the city crossed (there are 4 of them).

Railway connection

Main station

Munich is the second busiest train station in Germany, serving approximately 350,000 passengers per day. Also in Munich there is Ostbahnhof and Munich-Pasing train station.

Air service

Munich New Airport has been operating since 1992 and is the 2nd largest airport in Germany by annual passenger traffic and the 7th in Europe (50 million passengers per year, approximately 90 takeoffs/landings per hour). It is an important home airport for Lufthansa and Star Alliance airlines.

Located in the outskirts of Munich near the town of Freising.

Road transport

Munich has three internal transport rings, and international routes pass through this city.

Traditions and holidays

Munich is famous throughout the world for its brewing traditions. There are 6 large breweries here, and every autumn Munich hosts the Oktoberfest festival, which can be called a beer festival in German folk traditions.

Cities of Germany

Munich is a city at the foot of the Bavarian Alps on the Isar River in southern Germany, the capital of the federal state of Bavaria, the third largest and second most visited city by tourists after Berlin in Germany with a population of more than one and a half million people, about a quarter of whom are natives of other countries.

The government of Bavaria, the government of the Upper Bavaria district and the government of the Munich city district are located in Munich.

Modern Munich is not only a concentration of cultural and museum values, but also a large industrial and research center.

Thanks to famous universities, one of the largest Bavarian State Library in Europe, with 6 million volumes, the Max Planck and Heinz Mayer-Leibniz Institutes, a nuclear research reactor and many other institutions, Munich maintains a strong position in European science. Munich is also rightfully considered the IT capital of Germany.

City `s history

It is officially believed that the city was founded by Duke Henry the Lion in 1158.

In 1180, power over the city passed to the Wittelsbach dynasty. And only in 1505 Munich became the capital of Bavaria. Events in the first half of the 17th century brought an end to the period of prosperity. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and the plague epidemic killed a third of the city's population. At the beginning of the 18th century the city was occupied by Austrian troops. In 1806 Bavaria becomes a kingdom. Under Kings Ludwig I (1825-1848) and Maximilian II (1848-1864), Munich became a cultural center.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, famous for his passion for luxury, reigned from 1864 to 1886.

Many of the city's most beautiful houses date from the reign of these kings. After the First World War the city was gripped by significant political unrest. During these years, National Socialism (Fascism) was founded. In 1923, Hitler and his supporters organized the Beer Hall Putsch, an attempt to overthrow the republic and seize power.

Despite the fiasco, Hitler made Munich the headquarters of the Nazi Party, which in 1933 took control of the German national government.

The Second World War brought devastating damage to the city, much of which was subsequently repaired. In 1973, the capital of Bavaria hosted guests at the Olympic Games, for which the modern Olympic Stadium was built especially.

Sights of Munich

The towers of the Frauenkirche Cathedral, erected in honor of the patron saint of Munich, the Virgin Mary, are considered the symbol of the city.

Marienplatz is the central square of the city, which is proud of the wonderful Town Hall building, a rare clock mechanism with moving figures and a Fischbrunnen fountain.

The tallest (91 m) and oldest cathedral in Munich is St. Peter's Cathedral, from its observation deck there is an excellent view of the Old Town, and the pedestrian zone in the center of Old Munich, loved not only by guests of the city, but also by the Munich residents themselves, is, first of all, , two streets - Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, smoothly flowing into one another.

There are department stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants and wonderful monuments of architecture and art - the Burgersal prayer house, the Jesuit Church of St. Michael, the wonderful fountain "Fountain Boy" and everyone's favorite - the bronze hog (those who want to find their love should scratch the hog behind the ear).

The Asamkirche is not the most famous, but the most magnificent and extraordinary church in Munich - the embodiment of the Rococo style in all its irrepressible riot.

The impressive statue of Bavaria on Theresienwiese's Meadow is rivaled perhaps only by the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Nymphenburg Palace is a beautiful summer residence of the Bavarian kings.

Munich residents are no less proud of it than Parisians are of Versailles, and St. Petersburg residents are proud of Petrodvorets. In the palace park, quite a lot of tame swans swim in the artificial lake.

The architectural ensemble of Königplatz Square is beautiful, thanks to which Munich began to be called “Athens am Isar”. It was created by order of King Ludwig I. Grandiose buildings in the ancient style - the Glyptotek (which houses one of the best collections of sculpture in Europe), the building of the State Antique Collection and the delightful Propylaea.

The Lenbach House was built in the style of an Italian country villa for the then famous artist Franz von Lenbach.

After the artist's death, the house became the property of the city and was turned into an art gallery. The gallery is famous for the works presented here by Kandinsky and the artists of the Blue Rider group he organized.

When is the best time to go to Munich?

The tourist season begins in May and ends in October, when the weather is at its best. At this time, a large number of holidays and folk festivals take place, among them the famous Oktoberfest.

Summer days are sunny and warm, but be prepared for cool, rainy days even in July and August. The winter sports season in the Bavarian Alps runs from mid-December to mid-March, although it can get quite cold at times, especially in January.

Transport

Munich has an excellent integrated transport system (MVV), including the underground (U-Bahn), commuter trains (S-Bahn), trams and buses.

Local passenger transport is the easiest and most convenient way to get to the center and other city attractions. Tickets for all these vehicles are the same. There are a couple of options for tickets on sale, differing in the zones of Munich within which they are valid, in the number of people for which they are valid, and in the duration of validity.

The ticket allows you to use all local modes of transport with the exception of taxis (metro, tram, bus) in Munich and Salzburg, plus the ticket price includes second class train travel to Garmisch-Partenkirche and Salzburg.

The ticket is valid for 24 hours and is designed for 5 people; its approximate cost is 24 euros.

The option of moving around the city by car may seem quite expensive due to high parking costs.

Munich nightlife

Munich is a major performing arts center with a vibrant nightlife scene. The city is home to no less than four leading orchestras plus world-class opera and ballet groups.

A large number of theaters are scattered throughout the city, offering every genre from classics to modern German drama.

Munich's nightlife changes with the weather. When the weather is good and the night is balmy, the beer gardens are filled with hospitality. During the winter months, beer gardens give way to beer halls like the famous Hofbräuhaus. Beer gardens and venues usually empty around midnight, when the club scene starts to pick up steam.

Munich's club scene is very diverse. Based on this, it is not at all difficult to find a club for every taste, from country style to mega techno dance halls.

Many clubs are open until dawn. The districts of Haidhausen and Schwabing, with their cutting-edge clubs and vibrant nightlife, are constantly vying for the best nightlife in the city.

To find out about current events in entertainment and other places worth visiting in Munich, you should go to the tourist office, located right behind the train station (Hauptbahnhof), and purchase a monthly guide (Monatsprogramm) with a detailed program of events for the current month.

Approximate cost -1.50 euros. Unfortunately, the guide is published only in German, but regardless, it can be easy to learn and a very useful tool.

Holidays in Munich

The city's annual calendar is usually full of colorful holidays and festivals.

In February there is a carnival (Fasching) with a 4-6 week whirlpool of colorful parades. The carnival (in March) is followed by the strong beer festival (Starkbierzeit).

Munich is the capital of Bavaria

At the festival, beer with names ending in “ator” (Triumfator, Salvator) is consumed, following a tradition dating back to monastic days. In April, Munich hosts a mini Oktoberfest - a beer festival (Fruhlingsfest) and a mega colorful 8-day flea fair on the last Saturday of April (Maidult), and also takes place at the end of July (Jakobidult) and at the end of October (Herbst Dult).

In June there is an international film festival, not as famous as in Berlin.

but attracting a fairly serious audience. In July there is an opera festival and a fun parade of gays and lesbians with outrageous outfits. The parade is considered one of the largest events in Europe. From September to October, Munich hosts Oktoberfest - the largest collective drinking party on the planet. Millions of people from all over the world come to this beer festival to have fun and enjoy beer, which is undoubtedly the main attribute of the holiday.

Every December there is a traditional Christmas market with stalls selling handicrafts and warming mulled wine.

The huge Christmas tree on Marienplatz, decorated with a great variety of lights, creates a truly magical mood.

But the biggest attraction, without a doubt, is the beer festival called Oktoberfest. This famous event is attended by millions of people from all over the world every year, during which the beer simply flows like a river.

By the way, it is estimated that, on average, about five million liters of beer are consumed during the entire celebration period.

Oktoberfest in Munich

The beer festival, Oktoberfest, is a real mass event on a global scale.

The holiday dates back to October 12, 1810, when Prince Ludwig I (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Theresa of Saxony were married. Residents of Munich were invited to the wedding celebration, which took place in the meadows opposite the city gates. Subsequently, in honor of the princess, these meadows became known as Theresienwiese.

The holiday was organized by Ludwig I in subsequent years, gradually developing into the current Beer Festival - Oktoberfest. Now the holiday runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. The beer festival in Munich is accompanied by many entertainment events, including a procession of people dressed in national Bavarian costumes.

In 1999, Oktoberfest, which took place from September 18 to October 5, was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beer festival in the world.

That year it was visited by 7 million people, who consumed 5.8 million liters of beer in 11 huge tents set up over an area the size of fifty football fields.

Shopping

The pedestrian zone of the historical center of Munich is the main destination for all kinds of shopping.

Most of the different classes of stores from boutiques to huge supermarkets are concentrated here. The entire shopping streets Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauserstrasse stretch from the central railway station (Hauptbahnhof) to Marienplatz and further north to Odeonsplatz.

For even more upscale shopping, head to Maximilianstrasse, where you'll find numerous luxury boutiques and fashion houses that rival those on Fifth Avenue.

For extravagant goods, head to the Schwabing district. The streets Schellingstrasse and Hohenzollernstrasse are home to many quirky shopping galleries and boutiques.

Shops, department stores and supermarkets in the center of Munich are usually open on weekdays from 09.00 to 20.00, on Saturdays from 09.00 to 16.00.

Small shops are open on weekdays from 09.00 - 18.30 with a break for lunch (lunch), on Saturdays from 09.00 - 12.00. Sunday, as a rule, is a day off for all stores.

Cities of Germany

In 1806, Bavaria became a kingdom, and Munich its capital. Under King Maximilian Joseph IV, who supported Napoleon, the territory of Bavaria increased, and the influence of France penetrated into all spheres of life.

King Ludwig I declared that he intended to make the capital of Bavaria such a beautiful city that “no one can say that he knows Germany if he has not seen Munich.” He enriched the city with beautiful buildings in the classical style, the National Opera House and the Prince Charles Palace were built, and the most beautiful museums were founded - the Old and New Pinakothek, Glypotek, and the Museum of Numismatics.

In the revolutionary year of 1848, because of a love affair with the Spanish dancer Lola Montes, Ludwig I was forced to abdicate the throne. His son Maximilian inherited the throne and artistic traditions of his father, decorating Munich with beautiful buildings on Maximilianstrasse, and built the Maximilianeum, where the Bavarian Parliament is now located.

His son Ludwig II did not decorate Munich, but built fairy-tale castles in the Alps - Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herenkiemsee.

He spent all his personal funds and used the treasury on the construction of castles. For this he was deprived of power and a few days after the coup, the “fairy-tale king” Ludwig II died under unclear circumstances. Today, the castles of Ludwig II are the main tourist brand of Bavaria.

Munich, Germany | Munich (München)

In 1886, in the war between Prussia and Austria, Ludwig II took the side of Austria, but Prussia won. As a result, reparations worth 50 million marks were imposed on Bavaria. In 1870, Bavaria again fought against France, but on the side of Prussia and was among the winners. King Ludwig II of Bavaria proposed the formation of the German Empire.

But this idea would be brought to life by Bismarck, and the dreamer king preferred “the divine twilight of sublime mountain loneliness” to state affairs.

In 1918, as a result of revolutionary actions, the Wittelsbach dynasty was overthrown. The royal family fled. From April 13 to May 1, the Bavarian Soviet Republic existed.

On November 8-9, 1923, the “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in Munich, led by Hitler and General Ludendorff. The putsch began in the famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall, then spilled out into the streets and was stopped by police at Odeonplatz. Several police officers were killed and a memorial plaque was erected at Odeonplatz in memory of this event. Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in prison, but he only served 9 months.

In Munich in the early 20s, the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) appeared and the city became the capital of the “Brown Shirts”.

In 1938, the so-called The Munich Agreement was an agreement on the division of Czechoslovakia, which was signed by the heads of government of England, France, Italy and Germany.

At the end of World War II, Munich was subjected to heavy bombing by Allied aircraft. About 80% of the buildings were destroyed, and outstanding architectural structures were damaged.

After the war, the city, like all of Bavaria, entered the American zone of occupation.

In the post-war years, the city quickly recovered and by 1961 it was restored and cleared of ruins.

All the ruins were taken to the outskirts of the city, where the Olympic Park was later built, and a 52 m high mountain with an observation deck was built from the ruins. The restoration of the city from ruins is rightly called the “German miracle.”

In 1972, the XX Summer Olympic Games were held in Munich, for the opening of which an indoor Olympic stadium and many other sports facilities were built in the Oberwiesenfeld district. The first metro and high-speed train lines opened.

But these Olympic Games were overshadowed by the murder of Israeli athletes by Arab terrorists.

Munich today is a huge and beautiful metropolis, with parks and ponds, canals, wide avenues, theaters, concerts and exhibitions. This is a city of high technology and mass media, here are the editorial offices of newspapers, magazines, the Bavaria Film studio, and more than 300 book publishing houses.

The city is visited by about 3 million tourists a year, and this does not include Oktoberfest. According to sociological surveys, Munich is recognized as the best city in Germany.

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Munich population. Munich is the capital of Bavaria. Description of Munich for a tourist traveling to the capital of Bavaria