The capital of Bavaria, Munich lies north of the Austrian border some 100km from Salzburg. Karlsplatz lies in the heart of the city with its fountains surrounded by symmetric buildings in a semicircle. This is where the most famous promenade leading to the main square starts and is first called the Neuhaus then the Karlsplatz Stachus. Karlstor standing on the main square has been the western gate of the city since 1315. When the weather is nice, the terraces of the promenade fill up with people and vendors offer their goods from their stands. As we come closer to Marienplatz, the main square, the number of old houses increases. The cool spray of water from the -- Fountain feels very good in the heat. The monument was erected by Hans Wimmer in 1962 to commemorate Richard Strauss, the famous son of Munich. Behind the fountain, the main church of the Jesuits, the Jesuitenkirche stands by modestly. Its crypt is the final resting place for 30 members of the Wittelsbach family. A small stone statue stands at the corner of the hammer closed door with a small tower in its hands. The tower represents the beautiful tower that was the western border of the city of Henry, the Lion.
The Frauenkirche or the cathedral of our blessed lady with its two towers is perhaps the best known building in Munich. The two towers with their unique domes can be seen from virtually anywhere. The cathedral was originally built in the Roman era and was reconstructed in gothic style by the greatest medieval architect, --. In those days, almost all large constructions lasted for several decades. In this case, this was explained by a nice story. There’s a huge black footprint behind the main entrance. According to legend, this footprint belonged to the devil himself who wasn’t allowed to take the master until the building was completed. Looking at it from this point of view, the building will never be finished. The missing windows are hidden by columns. The new city hall on the main square was built by Georg Hauberisser at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The huge neogothic palace has six inner courtyards and the richly decorated statues on the façade portrayed Bavarian kings, prince electors and allegorical and mythical figures.
The main spectacle of the 85m high tower is Europe’s fourth largest glockenspiel in which 45 bells play four melodies. Keeping in line with German traditions, the basement of the city hall has been turned into a beer parlor and since the building is so big, there are even two them in it. The most famous beer parlor of the city is the hofbrauhaus where good Bavarian beer has been brewed and served since 1589. At first it belonged to the king but since 1853, it’s been in possession of the state. 6000 beer lovers can enjoy a good beer in the hofbrauhaus at the same time. The atmosphere of the beer parlors is complete with the typical Bavarian music played mainly on brass wind instruments. In summer, people can sit outside in the huge garden area underneath the shady chestnut trees and a fountain decorated with lions. Prinzregentenstrasse and a bridge with the same name lead to the statue of the angel of peace. The city of Munich commemorates the 25 years of peace after the peace treaty was signed in 1871 with this piece of art made by Heilmeier, Dull and Pezold.
The Theresienwiese field behind the Bavaria ring may seem familiar to many people and no wonder, as this is where the Oktoberfest is held every autumn. An incredible amount of people flock to Munich for the beer festival to taste all the frothy specialties. Who else could look down onto this typical Bavarian festival if not the statue of the lady personifying the country, Bavaria. The 1972 summer Olympics were also held in Munich. The big stadium is a spectacular building with large sweeping canopies of acrylic glass, stabilized by steel cables covering the spectators area. The 290m Olympic tower looms over the park. Its observation deck can be reached by elevators.