GUIDES

Munich Guide

Munich - Out and About

Munich, situated to the north of the Bavarian Alps on the Isar river, is a city that combines a proud provincial feel with the marvel of an international metropolis. This Bavarian capital is an enigmatic mix of ancient wonder and modern elegance. Baroque churches, splendid buildings and beautiful parks stand side by side with art galleries,theatres and elegant shops. The city owes its name to both the many monasteries that have always covered an important role throughout the ages and for having started the production of beer which has made the city universally famous.

The city suffered serious damage during the allied bombardment at the end of the Second World War, but the economic success of the years following the war, permitted a vast operation of restoration and reconstruction, which together with Berlin, changed the city into one of the most popular tourist sights in Germany. Munich today is also a internationally important economic centre, particularly active in the automotive, electronic and computer industries.

The Oktoberfest bears witness to the famous hospitality and kindness of Munich's inhabitants. This beer festival, held every year, lasts 16 days and attracts over 7 million people. Marienplatz has been, from the moment of the city's construction, the heart of Munich. This is the ideal departure point for a tour of the city. The Mariensaule (Maria Columns) stand in the centre of the square and give the place its name. The columns were erected as a sign of gratitude for the withdrawal of the Swedish troops during the Thirty Year War. Marienplatz is also the site of the Neues Rathaus (Council) built in late Gothic style at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The building is particularly interesting for its Glockenspiel, the mechanical clock which functions when the clock chimes 11, 12 and 5 o'clock. The Altes Rathaus ( Old Council), restored after the Second World War, is situated on the east side of the square. There are a number of important churches in close proximity to the square including the Heiliggeistkirche, the largest Gothic church in Munich and the Frauenkirche ( Our Lady's Church), symbolic building of the city, constructed between 1468 and 1488.The church houses the sumptuous St Nepomuk altar and the tomb of the Emperor Ludovic the Bavarian. Michaelskirche, the most impressive Renaissance church in Germany, is situated a short distance away. Maximilianstrasse, the most fashionable street in Munich, is lined with elegant and refined shops. The road comes out in Max-Joseph Platz, site of some important Munich buildings including the Nationaltheater, the Opera and the Residenz. The Residenz was the home of the Wittelsbach a Bavarian family, who lived here from 1385 to 1918. This enormous building was almost completely destroyed during the last war and what remains is the result of the latest reconstruction. The interiors and the works of art are however original and include a noteable collection of jewellery from the Bavarian Crown, conserved in the Schatzkammer, together with a spectacular collection of crowns, tiaras, clocks and other precious objects. Other interesting rooms within the building include the Ancestor's gallery with 121 potraits of the bavarian sovereigns, the Schlachtensale (Balle Room), the Porcelain Room, with services from the Meissen, Berlin and Nynphenburg factories and the Asiatic collections of Chinese and Japanese art. It is possible to visit The Residenz, following a guided tour, which is divided into two sessions, each of two hours duration. The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4:30 pm. A separate ticket is required in order to view the Schatzkammer. It is also possible to visit the sumptuously decorated Altes Residenztheater, perhaps the finest Rococo theatre in Europe. The Konigsplatz, situated to the north-east of the city, is dominated by Propylaen, a neo-Classic symbol of the bond between Bavaria and Greece, during the time of the Greek fight for independence against Turkey. The Konigplatz is the site of two museums which house the Wittelsbach and Glyptothek art collections, which include important Greek and Roman sculptures and the Antikensammlungen, which houses a precious collection of ancient artefacts. The museums are open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. The majority of the city can be visited on foot, with large areas of the centre being designated pedestrian zones. For destinations further a field, it is recommended to use the efficient public transport system operated by Munchener Verkehrs-und Tarifverbund GmbH (MVV). The system comprises 20 tram lines, 83 bus routes, 7 metropolitan lines U-Bahn and 10 rail lines S-Bahn. The area covered by this service is divided into zones. The system operates from 5am to 1am every day.

Munich - Not to be missed

The Munich Alte Pinakotek, which houses the Wittelsbach art collection, collected over the duration of the family's reign, is one of the most extraordinary museum in the world. The building, constructed specifically as an art gallery for Ludovic I by the architect Leo Klenze, houses works of art which cover a period of over 400 years. Some of the most important works include 'Madonna with carnation' by Leonardo, the 'Pieta' by Botticelli, together with works by Raffaello, Filippo Lippi, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Rubens.. In addition the art gallery boasts the largest collection in the world of the works of art from the masters of the German school. The gallery, situated in Barer Strasse N°7, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

The Neue Pinakotek, situated in front of the Alte Pinakotek, houses an excellent collection of paintings from the 19th and 20th century including works by David, Gainsborough, Goya, Turner, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Schiele and Klimt. The opening times are the same as those of the Alte Pinakotek. The Tuscan style villa of the German portrait artist Franz Von Lenbach (1839-1904) was sold by his widow to the city of Monaco and now houses the Stadtische Gallery, a wonderful collection of works of art from the Munich masters and German artists from the 19th century. The section dedicated to the Blaue Reiter movement, is of particular interest and includes works by Marc, Kandinsky, Klee and Macke.

The Deutches Museum, one of the finest science and technology museums in the world, is also worth a visit. The museum, with its eight floors, houses various displays including automotive, railway,aeronautic, physics and telecommunication sections. The museum is situated in Museumsinsel 1 and is open every day from 9am to 5pm

Munich - Walks and tours

Dachau, the one time concentration camp, is situated just outside Munich and is easily reached by public transport. A visit is obligatory even if highly disturbing from a emotive point of view. Dachau, built by Hitler in 1933, was the first Nazi concentration camp and whilst in operation imprisoned 200,000 prisoners of which 30,000 were put to death.

The complex comprises a central building, which houses a museum and a reconstruction the barrack huts, bunker, crematorium oven and gas chamber. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Munich - The traveller's notebook

Currency : Euro

Electric supply: 220 Volts, 50 Hertz

Climate : the Munich summers are generally warm and sunny, but frequent rainfalls are present. The temperatures vary from 11°C to 23°C. In winter the temperatures vary from to -3°C to 5°C

Language : German

Opening hours : Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Some shops are open late on Thursday until 8pm or 9pm and the first Saturday of each month until 6pm. Banks are open from 8:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm until 3:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Telephones : The code for Munich is 089.

Munich - A pocket guide

Munich night-life is rich and varied. The residents consider a good beer a fundamental part of the city social life; for this reason the bars, beer houses and cafés are always welcoming and stay open until the early hours of the morning. The largest concentration of pubs is around the Schwabing district, the lively university zone to the north of the centre and Haudhausen, on the right bank of the river Isar. The best place to sample the famous Bavarian beer is in one of the many open-air beer houses.

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