Munich, city of the month

Munich and music		History		Architecture
Bayerische Staatsoper / Nationaltheater Built between 1811 and 1819, the Nationaltheater which seats 2,101 is one of the largest theatres in Germany. Destroyed by fire in 1823, it was rebuilt between 1957 and 1963. Neoclassical in style, it is considered one of the finest in Europe. During the opera season that takes place between mid-September and the end of July, over 40 productions are put on at the Nationaltheater and at the Prinzregententheater. Whether they are ballets, concerts or recitals, the emphasis is on the operatic works of composers such as Mozart, Wagner, Verdi or Richard Strauss. However, in recent years the Bayerische Staatsoper has diversified into offering Baroque operas, staging works by Monteverdi and Handel and performing some contemporary pieces. Gasteig (Philharmonie) The Philharmonie at the Gasteig was opened on 10 November 1985 by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra led by its conductor Sergiu Celibidache. With this the Bavarian capital, forty years after the destruction of the Tonhalle, once again had a major concert hall and the Philharmonic Orchestra a new “roof over its head”. With seating for 2400, the Philharmonie is part of the Gasteig culture centre, inspired by the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Barbican in London. In addition to the Philharmonie, the centre has the 600-seater Carl Orff Hall for concerts, conferences, theatre productions and films. The Gasteig was built to plans by the Raue, Rollenhagen, Lindemann and Grossmann group of architects. It took seven years to build. Prinzregententheater Built between the 19th and 20th centuries, it was originally intended for the performance of Wagner’s operas. Designed on the model of the Bayreuther Festspielhaus, the architecture of the Prinzregententheater is typical of the 1900s. After the war and the resulting damage suffered by the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Prinzregententheater was used as a substitute concert hall. It is today used more particularly for the performance of Baroque operas. Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz This theatre has changed its name many times: “Popular theatre for the shareholders of Munich” in 1865, “Royal Popular Theatre” in 1870, “Gärtnerplatz Royal Theatre” in 1873, “Bavarian State Operetta” in 1937. It was inaugurated with Holiday and What We Want by M. Schmidt, the establishment’s first director who, keen to devote himself to the popular repertoire, quickly went bankrupt. King Ludwig II of Bavaria bought the premises and introduced the operettas of J. Strauss and Karl Millöcker and Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann. Today, with its classical architecture, the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz stands in the heart of one of the city’s more working-class districts, and a vast repertoire from Mozart to Wilfried is performed along with contemporary pieces. Münchner Philharmoniker Founded in 1893, it was originally named after its founder: Franz Kaim. In 1908, it became the Konzertvereins Orchester. The famous Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, currently directed by Christian Thielmann, presents an interesting and highly diverse programme. Among its musicians it numbers some of the most gifted and famous in the world. Thanks to subsidies from Bavaria, ticket prices are still modest, guaranteeing access to everyone.		Munich is one of Europe’s youngest cities. Founded in 1156, the town’s proximity to a monastery gave Munich its name and its emblem. Mönchen, which means monk in German, became München and a flag featuring a monk became its emblem. The town was founded by Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony, when he received the Duchy of Bavaria from Frederick I Barbarossa. He burnt down the archbishop’s bridge built to carry salt from the Bad Reichenhall mines when residents refused to pay taxes on the salt. He then built a new bridge upstream from the old one close to a Benedictine monastery that had existed since the 8th century. A village grew up around the bridge and took the name München. Permission granted by Henry to mint coins and hold a market very soon led to the town’s expansion. In 1180, Otto de Wittelsbach, whose family reigned over the region until 1918, became Duke of Bavaria. The city’s status took on greater importance in 1255 when the Duchy of Bavaria was divided in two and Munich became the capital of Upper Bavaria. Following a fire in 1327, Emperor Louis IV had Munich rebuilt and designated the town a place of imperial residence in 1328. It nevertheless took 450 years for the influence of Munich to become that of a major city in economic, cultural and political terms. The scourges that ravaged Europe in the 17th century also affected Munich. Devastated by the Thirty Years War and the bubonic plague, the city fell into the hands of Gustav II Adolf of Sweden. Between 1651 and 1679, in the reign of Elector Ferdinand Maria of Savoy, monuments were built in the Italian Baroque style, but it is to his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy in particular that we owe these buildings which are today the pride of the city. The true development of Munich took place from 1705 onwards with the Habsburgs who added significantly to its influence when it was declared Napoleonic capital of the kingdom of Bavaria in 1806. In the reign of Ludwig I of Bavaria, Munich became renowned as a city of art. The talents of architects such as Leo von Klenze and Friedrich von Gärtner found expression here. The technological advances of the 19th century were not long in arriving in the city. Electrical lighting was introduced in 1882 and the city continued to develop its infrastructure. After the First World War Munich was the scene of a Communist revolution. In November the Communists took power and established the Soviet Republic of Munich, which was overturned on 3 May 1919. In the years that followed Munich became the base of Hitler’s National Socialism movement. Hitler’s attempted coup d’état, better known as the Beer Hall Putsch, failed and the leader was imprisoned. In 1938, the city gave its name to the famous agreement between Hitler, Mussolini, Chamberlain and Daladier, leading to Germany taking control of the Sudeten territory. It was also in Munich that the White Rose (Die Weiße Rose) resistance to Nazism began. After the Second World War the city was rebuilt during the American occupation and its economic and cultural development resumed with the establishment of many businesses and the opening of museums. Munich is today one of Germany’s most dynamic cities and an essential place to visit. With its rich history and its Bavarian culture it today attracts many visitors wishing to follow in the footsteps of Richard Strauss, the Empress Sissi or Albert Einstein. R. Strauss was a German composer and conductor, born in Munich on 11 June 1864. He is not related to Johann Strauss (the Elder and the Younger). Strauss worked in almost every musical genre (symphonic poem, opera, Lied, Ballet…). He died in Garmish-Partenkirchen on 8 September 1949, leaving a vast repertoire, one of the most well-known airs of which is taken from “Thus Spake Zarathustra”.		The development of the city of Munich can be divided into three periods and each stage of this construction was influenced by the architects of the time. Between 1158 and 1800, the city of Munich gradually changed from being a trading centre to a residential town. This period began with the construction of the foundations and the building of the first fortified wall. There followed a period of major expansion as far as the outer perimeter. The city’s main historic buildings date from this period. Indeed, once the city was declared a city of residence of the prince electors a great deal of building took place to provide residences for important figures. As a result 17th-century buildings of Gothic influence exist side by side with typically Italian Baroque style churches or Italian Renaissance gardens. The 1800-1860 period represents the new Munich, a period during which the city experienced a kind of renewed foundation. The demolition of the fortifications opened the way for urban expansion. Suburbs were created and provided new areas for the population to live. The provincial city was turned into the capital of a territorial principality. In addition to this urban development, the city was marked by the influence of the architects Leo von Klenze and Friedrich von Gärtner. In the second half of the 19th century, Munich became a major city. To handle its growing population, a development plan for the entire city was drawn up in the early 20th century. Finally, the third major period of construction or rather reconstruction of Munich was the war and post-war period, following the bombing that seriously damaged the town. After the war, Munich was obliged to choose between radical modernisation or reconstruction of the city along the lines of its former appearance. It opted for a moderately conservative reconstruction. Munich, whose population reached a million inhabitants in the 1970s, had to develop its infrastructure in order to turn the city into a modern metropolis. The 1972 Olympic Games was a high point in the city’s development. Moreover, various buildings reflect the city’s determination to turn towards modernity and through the Neue Pinakothek or the BMW Tower the architects have allied the resolutely traditional spirit of the city with the dynamism of a great metropolis.

Some Highlights		Some Highlights		In the surrounding area
The Residenz Built in 1385, the Residenz housed the court of Maximilian I from 1623. For over 500 years it was home to dukes, electors and kings. Located in the heart of the old town, the Residenz with its characteristic 17th-century architecture is today open to the public. One of the building’s most interesting parts is most probably the Antiquarium built around 1570 to house the antique collection of Duke Albrecht V. Nymphenburg Palace Former summer residence of the prince-electors and kings of Bavaria, this Baroque monument is located in the west of the town. The building, in addition to its many outbuildings, houses several important art collections. Famous for the “Gallery of Beauties” of King Ludwig I, the palace is the emblematic monument of Munich. The palace is surrounded by a vast park in which stand four distinctive pavilions: Amalienburg, Badenburg, Pagodenburg and Magdalenenklause. The New Town Hall This neo-Gothic inspired building is typical of 20th-century civic pride. Built in three stages between 1867 and 1908, its design was commissioned from Austrian architect Hauberisser. With its six interior courtyards, the brick and stone building has a magnificent façade featuring many historical figures. The Town Hall is particularly famous for its glockenspiel in the oriel of the bell tower. It is decorated with enamelled figures that spring to life three times a day at 11 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. At the top of the tower a child monk watches over the city, a reference to the time of Munich’s foundation. The tower affords a magnificent panoramic view of Munich and the surrounding area. Cathedral of Our Lady Frauenkirche is the symbol of the capital of Bavaria, recognisable by its onion domes and its Gothic style. The red-brick building has two 99-metre towers, one of which offers a terrific view of the city and of the Alps. An absolute must for visitors, the imposing building has at its entrance “the Devil’s footprint”. The church also has the oldest vaults of the Wittelsbach family containing among others the bones of the Emperor Louis the Bavarian. St Peter’s Church Known familiarly as “Alte Peter” (“Old Peter”), this is the oldest church in the town centre. Once you have climbed the 300 or so steps to the top of the main tower you can admire one of the innumerable vistas of Munich. Theatiner Church (Theatinerkirche) Built in 1663 and completed in 1768, this church owes its existence to Elector Ferdinand Maria of Savoy and his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy who commissioned its construction to celebrate the birth of their child, the future Elector of Bavaria, Maximilian II Emmanuel. They called on the services of Italian architect Agostino Barelli. The building is characterised by its typically Italian Baroque style, in which the contrast between the exterior and interior is particularly striking. On the outside the impression is one of majesty and enormous size but once inside the visitor finds himself in a quiet atmosphere created by the pale colour and an air of simplicity.		Parks and Gardens Court Garden (Hofgarten) Duke Maximilian I had the Hofgarten laid out between 1613 and 1617. It is one of the most important princely gardens of the Renaissance and provides the city’s residents with a haven of peace. The garden is surrounded by arcades on the north and west sides, and the main entrance and the octagonal temple in the centre of the garden were among the first works in Munich by Leo von Klenze. The English Garden Sir Benjamin Thompson was the founder of the English Garden. In 1808, when he was minister of war in the reign of Prince Elector Karl Theodor, he had the idea of building a park in the marshy areas of Munich that would be open to everyone. Designed by landscape architect Skell, the park is a perfect place to relax and is much frequented by local people. Indeed its location in the heart of the city makes it highly accessible and its size (373 ha) makes it one of the largest city centre parks in the world. Like other great parks, it offers people all kinds of activities (cycling, hockey, football…) The Olympic Park Built to host the Summer Olympics of 1972, this park of nearly 3 km² offers a wide variety of play areas and sporting and cultural activities.		The castles of Ludwig II Ludwig II was above all a patron of the arts; rather than concerning himself with affairs of state, he preferred to devote himself to his passion for art by having the many castles that today dot the landscapes of Bavaria built. Between Italian and French Renaissance, and fantastic architecture inspired by Germanic legends the Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee castles boast an eclectic range of decorative styles. While the Herrenchiemsee castle is meant to be a replica of Versailles, Linderhof has splendid terraced gardens. Ottobeuren abbey church Founded in 764 by Silach, a noble of the Carolingian era, the abbey has undergone many restorations and alterations over the centuries. If today it offers an example of the mixture of European Rococo and Baroque art, it is thanks to the architect Fischer who drew up the plans for this masterpiece. Built in 1737, the Ottobeuren abbey church is grandiose in its conception and is completed by a splendid monastery whose magnificence reflects the sumptuousness of the period. Lake Constance The banks of Lake Constance, which has a total area of 571 km², run along the Länder of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg but also border Switzerland and Austria. Rothenburg Remarkable for its civil and religious medieval heritage, this fortified town plunges us into the atmosphere of the middle ages. But the most distinctive feature of this market town is Riemenschneider’s Altar of the Holy Blood in the Gothic St James church. Sculpted at the beginning of the 15th century, its unique feature lies in the way the artist has represented the Last Supper. Here it is not the figure of Christ who is placed in the centre, but that of Judas, a depiction that reflects a return to the Evangelical texts

Food & Drink

Festivals, Traditional customs

Starters

- Leberkäse
- Bayerische Brezn : Bretzel

Main Dishes

- Weißwurst
- knödel
- Bayerischer Wurstsalat
- Schweinwhaxe
- Kässpätzle
- Charcuterie
- Auszogne

Cheese

- Obazda

Desserts

Apfelstrudel

DRINKS

Beer
1- Kloster Andechs
2- Paulaner
3- Hacker-Pschorr
4- Spaten
5- Fransiskaner Weissbier
6- Löwenbräu
7- HB (Hofbräuhaus München)

- Bocksbeutel : Wine

Müncher Festspiele (Munich Opera Festival)
Munich holds its opera festival every year between July and September. This festival is designed to showcase the fascinating world of opera and its extraordinary repertoire. Set up by the Bayerische Staatsoper, this festival each year brings enthusiasts and visitors together to experience the magic of a great spectacle.
www.bayerischestaatsoper.de

The Oktoberfest or beer festival
The October festival is one of Germany’s most important festivals. Originating in Munich it soon spread to all parts of the country.
On 12 October 1810 the marriage took place between Crown Prince Ludwig, the future Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghause. The citizens of Munich were also invited to join in the festivities by attending a horse race. When the festival ended, it was decided to repeat the race the following year, and so the tradition of the Oktoberfest was born. It was not really until 1896 that the city’s brewers developed the habit of setting up huge tents, and beer then played a predominant role in the festival along with increasing numbers of fairground attractions. This year Munich will be celebrating its 173rd beer festival.

The Maibaum (Maypole) tradition
This tradition takes place on 1 May every year in Bavaria. The villages vie with one another to erect the tallest maypole! A local feast then follows with a menu of regional specialities accompanied by local beer.

Schäfflertanz or Coopers’ Dance time
Legend has it that when Munich was faced with the bubonic plague, no one dared go out. One evening, the inhabitants heard shouting and music in the street. It was the coopers who were trying to attract the attention of the villagers by dancing in order to get them to come outside so as to escape their fate. In memory of this time, the coopers of Munich do their famous dance from 6 January to Shrove Tuesday every 7 years.

The folk song and dance tradition
Bavaria is the region of Germany with the richest tradition of folk songs and dances. There are over a hundred different dances. This folk tradition is specific to the region and is very popular today.

Spielart
This drama festival takes place in Munich.

Christkindlmärkte
Germany is the country with the greatest number of Christmas markets. This quintessentially German tradition has now spread all over Europe. Munich, like most German cities, has its own market.

Things to Do

Hotels

Restaurants

The Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek houses a vast collection of paintings and sculptures and illustrates the history of European painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries through masterpieces by the great masters (Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens and Leonardo da Vinci).
The building is a wonder in itself. Completed in 1836 it is the work of Leo von Klenze.

The Neue Pinakothek

A modern building containing modern collections, the Neue Pinakothek is one of the greatest museums of 20th and 21st-century fine art. A tour of the museum’s 12,000 m² of galleries offers you masterpieces of modern art (paintings, sculptures, design or architecture).

The BMW Museum

The famous German car manufacture also has its own museum of striking futurist architecture. In terms of collections, the museum’s exhibition entitled “Zeithorizont” recounts the history of the pioneers of the automobile. The exhibition also covers contemporary car-related themes. The opening of “BMW World” is planned for the winter of 2006.

The Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum of science and technology is one of the biggest such museums in the world and houses an impressive collection. With sailing boats, locomotives, robots ... there’s something here for everyone. Worth remembering: the museum has two further branches: the centre for transportation technology and the aeronautical section

THE MUSIC & OPERA CHOICE

***** Hotel Bayerischer Hof
Promenadeplatz 2 bis 6
80333 München
phone : 089/21200
fax : 089/2120906
email : info@bayerischerhof.de
www.bayerischerhof.de
The moment you enter our building you will become aware of two things: firstly the atmosphere of a leading world-class luxury hotel in the heart of Munich. With a selection of 395 luxurious rooms and a wide variety of conference rooms, restaurants and bars. You'll notice something else, too: we are happy you have chosen to stay with us, you'll feel welcome here. No wonder we're able to welcome back many of our guests time and time again.

THE MUSIC & OPERA CHOICE

**** Hotel Torbräu
Tal 41
80331 München
phone : 089/24234-0
fax : 089/24234-235
email : info@torbraeu.de
www.torbraeu.de
This international First Class Hotel offers Old World Charm with 92 tastefully appointed rooms and suites, modern meeting facilities, a café and an Italian restaurant - right in historic downtown Munich.

*****Alpenhof Murnau
Murnau / Bavaria
D-82418 München
phone : 49 (0)8841 / 491-0
Fax : 49 (0)8841 / 491-100
www.alpenhof-murnau.com
On your way from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a heavenly retreat awaits to be explored, the Alpenhof Murnau Bordering the "Murnauer Moos" nature reserve, overlooking the majestic Alps, this Country Estate Hotel promises harmonious elegance and personal charm.

*****Hôtel ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel
Arabellastrasse 6
81925 Munich
phone : (49)(89) 92640
www.starwoodhotels.com
The ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel is located in the prestigious Munich district of Bogenhausen in the exclusive Arabellapark. The Hotel unites traditional and modern appeal.

*****Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München
Maximilianstrasse 17
80539 München
phone : 089/2125-0
fax : 089/2125-2000
www.kempinski-vierjahreszeiten.de
The Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is an elegant luxury grand hotel which was built in 1858. Its central location among the exclusive shopping addresses, theatres and the Opera House along the Maximilianstrasse is especially admired by its guests.

**** Hotel Platzl
Sparkassenstrasse 10
80331 München
phone : 089/23703-0
fax : 089/23703-800
www.platzl.de
The Platzl Hotel, awarded 4 stars superior, offers 166 rooms, a Bavarian suite, a bar and two restaurants available to our guests. Located between Marienplatz, Viktualien-markt, Alten Peter, Hofbräuhaus, and Maximilianstraße, the Platzl Hotel is the ideal starting point for any kind of venture in Munich.

***** Mandarin Oriental Munich
Neuturmstrasse 1
80331 München
phone : 089/290980
fax : 089/222539
www.mandarinoriental.com/munich
Tucked away in quiet side street, yet centrally located near the famed Maximilianstrasse, it is an elegant gem of Neo-Renaissance charm and elegance, providing the highest levels of personalised service in the city.

**** Hotel Europa
Dachauer Strasse 115
80335 München
phone : 089/542420
fax : 089/54242500
www.hotel-europa.de
Hotel Europa is centrally located in a quiet location in the heart of Munich, nearby the famous Art Galleries "Pinakotheken".

***** Hotel Königshof
Karlsplatz 25
80335 München
phone : 089/55136-0
fax : 089/55136-113
www.koenigshof-muenchen.de
The Hotel Königshof is one of the first top-places in Munich. offering a particular classical Atmosphere and a very personal service. Guests appreciate over all the central Location at Stachus (Karlsplatz), in the middle of "the city of the world with heart".

Haxnbauer am Scholastikhaus
Sparekassestr. 8, 80331 München
Tel : 089/ 29 16 21

Chesa
Wurzertstr. 18, 80539 München
Tel : 089 / 29 71 14

Deutsche Fiche
Reichenbachstr. 13, 80469 München
Tel : 089 / 231 16 60

Gasthof Obermaier
Truderinger Str. 306, 81825 München
Tel : 089 / 42 49 43

Kneipe

Brandtner Casper
Sommerstr. 39, 81543 München
Tel : 089 / 65 29 22

Ca Va
Kazmairstr. 44,80339 München
Tel : 089 / 502 85 84

Biergarten

Gasthaus udn Biergarten Maxhof
Mühlthalerstraße 91, 81475 München
Tel : 089 / 75 96 88 70

Gasthof Sollner Hof
Herterichstr. 65, 81479 München
Tel : 089 / 74 98 29 10

Hundskugel
Hotterstr. 18, 80331 München
Tel : 089 / 26 42 72