"München leuchtet" - Munich sparkles, as the writer Thomas Mann declared in 1902. As a major centre of economic activity, and the 3rd largest city in Germany, Munich continues to sparkle with thanks to its excellent facilities and superior quality of life. Munich is the capital of
Bavaria, with its mild climate and countless architectural treasures, world-renowned museums and hundreds of fountains. Munich is also a city of celebration, famous the world over for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest. There is no shortage of things to see and do, with prestigious football club Bayern Munich based in the city and the Starnberg lake and several alpine ski resorts all less than an hour away.
München, "the monks' place" in Old High German,
was founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion who built a bridge over the Isar, a
mountain river. Its location in southern Germany near Venice, Vienna, and Prague
explains its wealth. Over the centuries the city was enriched and embellished
by the Wittelsbach family, Dukes then Kings of Bavaria, and later by Emperor
Maximilian I. Munich had a population of 500,000 people in 1900. Today it is a stronghold
of the German economy, home to numerous corporate headquarters. The capital of Bavaria
is also home to the 2nd largest airport in Germany, with flights to all
continents, and a prestigious university which makes the city a major research
hub. As one of Germany’s leading cultural centres the city has a well-known
philharmonic orchestra, and museums like the old and new Pinakothek boasting a wealth of artistic
treasures. As for the architecture, you'll find rococo
masterpieces and large squares in many different styles, including the iconic
Königsplatz and Marienplatz.
Munich owes its worldwide recognition in part to Oktoberfest, a beer festival which last 16 days in September. This family event is an example of the Bavarian way of life. The heart of the city is Marienplatz, with Saint-Peter's Church, and the old and new town halls. Nearby, you'll find Frauenkirche, "Cathedral of Our Lady" with its green bulbs. But Munich would be nothing without its beer gardens ("Biergarten"), its open-air bars which have become emblematic of the city. Classical music should be sure not to miss the Gasteig Cultural Centre, home to the Münchener Philharmoniker. For opera, there is a festival in July. For more modern music, check out the Theatron festival which runs for almost a month in the Olympiapark. In terms of gastronomy, the choice of typical Bavarian food is vast: Weisswurst, roast pork meatballs, pretzels, sausages and other cooked meats. And for dessert, delicious Kaiserschmarrn. An embarrassment of riches which ensures that Munich still sparkles as brightly as ever.
- Time difference: none
- Currency: EUR
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