Destinations Worth Enjoying When Visiting Surprising Munich - Germany
Munich has a long history as the center of Bavarian power and trade during the Middle Ages and is one of Germany’s most prominent cities today. This modern city of 1.5 million people has many corporate headquarters, a surprising number of cultural and historical landmarks, and residents who enjoy outdoor activities. Connected with central Europe by high-speed trains, Autobahn expressways, and an international airport, Munich is an excellent location to use as a base when visiting other tourist destinations in the region such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, and Schloss Neuschwanstein.
BRIEF HISTORY OF MUNICH
Munich was established as the site of a Benedictine monastery on the banks of the Isar River in the eighth century. The monastery was expanded into a marketplace with a small fortress in the late 1100s. In 1255, the settlement became the residence of the Wittelsbach family, whose members served as the Duchy of Bavaria and later Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. With the backing of these powerful rulers, Munich grew and prospered until the 1600s when the ravages of the Thirty Years War and a plague epidemic set back the region and much of central Europe. It took hundreds of years for the area to fully recover from these events and for King Louis Wittelsbach to launch a building spree in 1830 that included numerous public buildings, centers of art and culture, and commercial structures.
By 1900, Munich had 500,000 residents, but the next four decades brought economic crises and great devastation from two World Wars and the country’s Nazi rule. Munich later played a critical role in the rebirth of West Germany in the post-war years. In addition to producing staples such as food, beers, clothing, and cosmetics, Munich focused on the manufacturing of appliances and high-tech products, finance, and distribution industries. As one of the three largest cities in today’s united Germany, Munich often attracts major events such as conventions, trade shows, the Octoberfest, and international events that have ranged from the 1972 Summer Olympics to Taylor Swift’s 2024 concert that drew 125,000 fans to the former Olympic Stadium and the surrounding park.
DESTINATIONS WORTH EXPLORING IN MUNICH
Visit Marienplatz and See the Clock Show at the New Town Hall- People arriving in Munich usually begin their exploration of the city by visiting the Marienplatz which served as the town’s marketplace in medieval times and later evolved into a place where people enjoy cafes and retail stores. The principal activity there is to hang around and wait for the mechanical figures on the 260-foot-high clock tower of the Neues Rathaus or New Town Hall to ring out and provides a show three times each day at 11 am, 12 noon, and 5 pm. In addition to displaying statues of Bavarian royalty and mythological figures on the building, the clock tower depicts mechanical knights fighting a tournament in front of enthusiastic townspeople. It is all great fun, and visitors can also go up in the tower to a platform that looks down on the square and provides views of the distant mountains.
Shop along the Maximilianstrasse- The Maximilianstrasse is a long and wide street that runs from the Isar River west towards the center of the city. Many of the world’s leading fashion, cosmetics, and accessories brands have stores along this strip. It is common to see well-dressed shoppers from distant cities seeking out luxury goods to purchase. The National Theater, one of the world’s leading opera houses, high end hotels. and fine dining establishments give the street a cosmopolitan feel.
Experience the Rivers of the City- The people of Munich enjoy an active outdoor life centered on the rivers of the city. All along the Isar River, there are stretches of land that people use as informal beaches throughout the summer months for sunbathing, wading, and swimming. The water quality of the river has been improved significantly to meet bathing standards by upgrading wastewater plants and restoring the natural features of the river. One popular activity on a man-made river called the Eisbach is river surfing. A large underground culvert channels water upwards producing a standing wave about three feet tall that agile surfers can move back and forth on. Most days, there are several dozen experienced surfers and newcomers dressed in wetsuits attempting to navigate the water for a minute or two. Large crowds of supporters and curious onlookers visit the river outlet daily to see the spectacle.
Enjoy the Splendor of Schloss Nymphenburg- In 1644, the Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria decided to build a summer residence outside of the confines of the city to escape the heat and have a place where their family and fellow members of the nobility could enjoy pastoral gardens and the peacefulness of a country villa. Over the next hundred years, the Nymphenburg Palace came to encompass five hundred acres of land, a five-story main building used for receptions, balls, and living quarters, beautiful grounds full of parkland, fountains, and a lake, and ten cottages for visitors arranged in a semi-circle facing the Palace. The Palace is open to the public for tours which include access to a collection of ornate carriages, a series of female portraits called the Gallery of Beauties, a porcelain factory, a small hunting lodge, and botanical gardens. It is a great spot for picture taking and a frequent site for local weddings.
Sample the Food and Enjoy a Beer Garden at the Viktualienmarkt- Close to the center of the city is a square which has served as the marketplace for food and vegetables stalls since the late 1700s. Known as the Viktualienmarket, this large square now includes many different kinds of local meats, pastries, cheeses, breads, and other staple goods served fresh from refrigerated displays. To encourage people to buy items and enjoy them on site, there is a shaded beer garden where you can enjoy beer and other beverages while eating your purchases or bring your own lunch. This local market provides a quintessential German experience, and some people enjoy it more than the nearby Hofbrauhaus, a 19th century decorated beer hall with seating for up to one thousand guests, a band, and numerous choices of draft beer.
Learn about Science and Technology at Deutsches Museum- The Deutsches Museum was founded in 1903 by an engineer who wanted to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of the modern world. Over a century later, the Deutshces Museum continues that mission in a renovated facility that stretches for several blocks along the Iser River. Looking to the past, the large exhibit halls include over seventy historic aircraft, vintage cars and antique bicycles, and information about the American and European space vehicles that have explored the moon and other parts of space. Looking to the future, there are halls that present exhibits and interactive displays on modern robotics, DNA research, medical biotechnology, renewable energy, and cybersecurity. People visiting this museum will likely find several halls that capture their interest and attention.
Relax on the Grounds of Munich’s Olympia Park and English Garten- For a large city, Munich has an abundance of parkland for passive and active recreation. Unlike other cities which have hosted the Summer Olympics, Germany retained most of the facilities built for the 1972 event including the iconic Olympic Stadium, an Olympic Swimming Hall, and a third Olympia Hall used for sporting events and other performances. All three of these halls are covered by a translucent, canopy like tent that stretches over them. Finally, a lake for boating and a 1000-foot-high tower with a viewing platform that is currently being renovated, add to the facilities at the park. It is not unusual for fairs and charity events to be held on the grounds of the Olympia Park which are open without charge. These areas are complemented by the English Garten which was initially opened in 1808 in the center of the city as a place for the public to walk, jog, bike or lie in the grass. Covering a two-mile area running north to south in the city parallel to the Iser River, this Garden has remained undisturbed by the roads and businesses along its borders.
Take in the Festivities at Octoberfest- From the end of September to mid-October, one of the world’s largest festivals known as Oktoberfest is held at a special fairground located in the northern part of the city called Theresienwiese. Originally started as a celebration of the marriage of Bavaria’s Crown Prince, the event has been continued for more than two hundred years and now attracts more than six million people annually. Most people at the event stop by the fourteen beer tents on the grounds which are operated by six Munich breweries including Hofbrau and Lowenbrau. Tons of food are also consumed at the event. While the city is crowded and more rowdy than usual during that time, the local authorities and organizers do a decent job keeping the revelers under control. Adding to the festivities are amusements that include large roller coasters and other rides.
Other Destinations Worth Visiting- There remain many other places worth exploring in Munich. The Alte Pinakothek Gallery is renowned for its excellent collection of European paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries. When it comes to palaces, some people prefer the Residenz which is a sprawling complex of connected buildings and courtyards that served as the city residence for Bavarian kings from the early 1500s to 1918. The most popular room there is the lavish banquet hall known as the Antiquarium which was built in the 16th century and filled with ceiling paintings and frescoes. Car enthusiasts flock to the BMW Museum which not only displays the history and evolution of the car company’s vehicles but presents more than one hundred different vehicles along with concept cars and design ideas.