Munich City Guide

Munich is the capital city of the Bavarian region in Germany and is situated north of the Alps on the river Isar. It is very interesting, with a rich culture and fascinating history, as it was the location for a number of pre-war events involving the Nazi uprising.

The assumed foundation date of Munich is 1158. In 1175, city status was granted. The rich history of Munich is best understood with a tour of the city. There are numerous walking, cycling and bus tours available that show interesting landmarks which may be otherwise overlooked.

Many tourists flock to Munich every year for one thing- the beer. In Bavaria there are purity laws, meaning only good quality ingredients can go into the city´s beer. Festivals take place annually in Munich, the most notable of these being Oktoberfest. Despite the quality of beer in Bavaria, it is important to remember that there is so much more to Munich.

Munich´s central square is Marienplatz. This beautiful area creates a focal point for navigation and also works as a meeting point for football fans, celebrating success for the local teams. The new city hall in Marienplatz contains a glockenspiel which is inspired by markets and tournaments that took place in the square many years ago.

The Peterskirche is the oldest church in the inner city, however, the largest is the impressive Frauenkirche. This has two tall towers, visible from all over Munich. During the Second World War, the roof collapsed and one of the towers was severely damaged. Restoration was completed in 1994. It is possible to pay to walk up the tower for a high view over the city.

A number of avenues in Munich are touristic and important. Ludwigstrasse is one of these, running south to north and beginning at Odeonsplatz. Maximilianstrasse is famed for its neo-gothic buildings and runs west to east from Max-Joseph Platz. Running parallel to this is Prinzregentenstrasse, the location of many museums.
Whilst Munich has much more to offer than its beer, the Hofbräuhaus is an important part of the city´s history and culture as well as being a beer hall. Built in 1607, it is where Adolf Hitler organized the first of many large publicity events in 1920.
This interesting, friendly and pretty capital of Bavaria offers culture, fun and architecture, making it an ideal touristic location. With so much to offer in one city, Munich should be high on anyone´s list of places to visit.