Munich

Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the third-largest city in Germany, lies on the River Isar. It’s location on the fringes of the Bavarian Alps, means the weather is extremely unpredictable. We reached Munich on a bitterly cold, snowy morning in April that felt more like February. After spending most part of the morning holed up at the bus station, we finally gathered some courage to brave the snow and see what this city had to offer.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the busiest square in all of Munich. Always brimming with locals and tourists alike, it is also the most ideal point to start sightseeing in Munich. The square has been at the heart of Munich since the 12th century. It derives its name from a Marian column that was established in 1638 to celebrate the withdrawal of Swedish troops from Munich during the 30 Years’ War.

Today, Marienplatz is best known for its Christmas market. Bayern Munich FC also celebrates their trophy wins with fans in this square.

The snow didn’t do much to restrict activity in the square though

The Marian Column, in front of the Rathaus. The golden statue at the top, sculpted in 1590 shows Mary on a crescent moon as the Queen of Heaven.

Neues Rathaus

A postcard favourite, Munich’s town hall on Marienplatz is a landmark of Gothic architecture. The facade has many niches with gothic elements and statues of the first four Bavarian kings. Today the Rathaus has about 400 rooms. The original plans were expanded following a massive rise in Munich’s population in the late 19th century.

One can climb up this 85-metre long tower on the Neues Rathaus, where you can see to the Alps on clear days.

Since 1908 the Glockenspiel has chimed each day at 11:00 and 12:00, and then 17:00 (from March to October), with automatons acting out episodes from the 1600s. It is one of the city’s most iconic traditions.

Since 1908 the Glockenspiel has chimed each day at 11:00 and 12:00, and then 17:00 (from March to October). The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the noted Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine.

Altes Rathaus

The building existed in city records since the early 14th century. It was massively destroyed during World War II and has since been renovated beginning in the 1950s. The new tower facade shows the various coats of arms for the city of Munich.

Altes Rathaus in Marienplatz used to be the seat of the Munich municipality

Viktualienmarkt: The city’s main food market was relocated in 1807 when it grew too big for Marienplatz. There is also a Biergarten in the centre of the marketplace.

Munich National Theatre

The Neoclassical National Theatre is one of Europe’s top opera houses and the home venue for the Bavarian State Ballet, Bavarian State Orchestra and the Bavarian State Opera. The design and portico are from 1825, but the building was devastated in the war and rebuilt under Karl von Fischer in the 1960s.

Neoclassical front of the Munich National Theatre

The monument Max-Joseph Denkmal was created in the middle of the square as a memorial for King Maximilian Joseph

Feldherrnhalle

Located in Odeonsplatz, commissioned by King Ludwig I, after the example of the Loggia de Lanzi in Florence. The Feldherrnhalle was a symbol of the honours of the Bavarian Army, represented by statues of two military leaders: Johann Tilly, who led Bavarians in the Thirty Years War and Karl Philipp von Wrede who led the fight against Napoleon.

The sculpture was added to the monument in 1892, after the Franco-Prussian War, representing the victory over the French and the unification of Germany. The lions are an imitation of the Medici lions of the Loggia dei Lanzi.

St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s is Munich’s oldest church, and therefore often called Alter Peter (Old peter). It was first built at the end of the 1100s but destroyed by fire in the 14th century. The reconstruction in phases has seen Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance elements finding their way into the church.

The high altar has a figure of St Peter sculpted by Erasmus Grasser in early 16th century.

One of the many figurines that adorn the pillars inside the church

Interiors of St. Peter’s (where photography is not allowed)

Hofbräuhaus

Bavarian Beer, schnitzels and sausages, live music and a carefree atmosphere.. While there are many such beer houses in Munich, this one in Marienplatz is the most famous.

You may like beer, but not the way Munich does. What better way of showing love for beer than to have a state-run beer hall? Hofbräuhaus dates back to the 16th century and offers the quintessential German beer hall experience, complete with live music.

Residenz Munich

Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. It is the largest city palace in Germany and is now open to visitors for its architecture, room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections.

Gothic elements on Residenz walls

Bavarian National Museum

Inaugurated by King Maximilian II in 1855, the Bavarian Museum boasts a collection ranging from antiquity to Art Nouveau of the 20th century — porcelain ware, musical instruments, weapons, paintings etc. There are many Late Gothic and Renaissance sculptures from around Bavaria as well.

Front facade of the Bavarian National Museum

Hofgarten Munich

One of the most popular public gardens in Munich today, lying next to the much larger (and famous) English Gardens. The garden was laid out in Italian Renaissance style, by Maximilian I. During World War II, it suffered extensive damage and was renovated later.

In the centre of the garden is a pavilion for the goddess Diana. The roof has a replica of a sculpture of Bavaria.

Bayerische Staatskanzle, the Bavarian State Chancellory

Ludwigskirche

King Ludwig I of Bavaria commissioned this church, after being influenced by Roman architecture. It was built by Friedrich von Gärtner between 1829 and 1844. While the front facade doesn’t look all that striking, this Neo-romanesque style church has the second-largest altar fresco of the world. The round arches called the Rundbogenstil, strongly influenced other church architecture, train stations and synagogues later in Germany and the USA.

Front facade of the Church

The church is modelled as a three-aisled Byzantine basilica with a geometric figure of the cross of tau.

Siegestor

The Siegestor is a stone’s throw away from the Ludwigskirche. A monument of peace today, the gate was originally dedicated to the Bavarian army (Dem Bayerischen Heere).
The gate was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Lions were likely used in the Quadriga, instead of horses, because the lion was a symbol of the House of Wittelsbach of the Bavarian monarchy. After sustaining heavy damage in World War II it was to be demolished in 1945 but was later reconstructed and restored.

The inscription at the back reads “Dedicated to victory, destroyed by war, urging peace”

Judisches Museum Munchen: There are three floors to this museum, with one housing permanent exhibits and the other two with temporary exhibits.

Friedensengel

Situated on the Isar river, this monument is a 38 metres high Corinthian column, with a 6-metre high statue of the Angel of Peace, which is a replica of the Nike of Paeonius. The Angel of Peace represents the 25 peaceful years after the Franco-German war of 1870–71. The small temple shows the portraits of the German Emperors and Bavarian rulers, including that of Bismarck.

The Angel of Peace by river Isar

Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich’s home stadium. A little far away from the main landmarks of the city, but a trip here can be combined with visits to Olympia Park and BMW Museum.

Home to the most successful German football team

Because of its lifestyle, Munich is often referred to as the northern city of Italy. Elements of Italy are hard to miss, both in daily life and on the architecture. My Munich experience, of course, remains incomplete, with Oktoberfest still on my bucket list.