Semi-circular Karlsplatz. Karlstor(Karl's Gate).
Marienplatz. Altes Rathaus.
Max Joseph Platz. Nationaltheater.
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"Germany's secret capital" or "Athens on Isar".
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, the biggest federal land in Germany. Munich with its fine buildings, museums and galleries is one one of the most popular tourist's destinations. In the late 19th cent. the Munich Academy of Fine Arts was amongst Europe's best art schools. Munich has a great choice of world-class museums,art galleries and theatres.It houses also Baroque churches, splendid palaces, the majestic building of Munich Opera and the well-known park "English Garden", the typical bavarian Biergarten.
Munich's Oktoberfest is one of the biggest folk fairs in Europe and the longest(2 weeks ) beer festival in the world, which involves brass band concerts, funfairs and consuming lots of beer and sausages!
Altstadt is the historic part of Munich,
the site of the original medieval city. The Altstadt is bounded by the Sendlinger Tor and Odeonsplatz to the north and the south, and by the Isartor and Karlstor to the east and west. The district can be crossed in about 15 minutes.
Karlstor , which used to be just one tower of a large tower complex is now the west entrance to the old town-Altstadt, the main pedestrian zone in Munich. This gate was part of a large 14th century city wall. This name was given in 1791 in honor of Prince Rarl Theodore. Two buildings were built next to the Karlstor, forming a symmetrical halve circle, symbolizing the opening of the city towards the outside.
Marienplatz was in the medieval times Munich salt and corn market. Since its foundation has been the center and living heart of Munich. Monks built their abbey here in 12 cent. and Munich named after the city's early monks residents. Marienplatz is one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
Neues Rathaus. The entire north side of Marienplatz is taken up by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. 'Neues Rathaus' (New City Hall) constructed between 1867 and 1908 by Georg Hauberisser; at the top of the eighty metre high tower stands the one metre tall 'Munchner Kindl' or Munich infant. On its facade is the famous Glockenspiel, the mechanical clock that performs a miniature tournament several times a day. This carillon's bells play folk tunes at 11 am, noon and 5 pm. The Glockenspiel displays scenes from the 1568 wedding tournament of Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V. The almost life-size figures perform scenes from Munich's history. The brightly painted copper figures move to the sound of the bells; first of all there is a medieval tournament on the upper level, which is followed by coopers dancing in the lower section.
The Mariensaule(St. Mary's Column). An ornate 17th cent. monument to the Virgin Mary raised by Elector Maximilian I in gratitude for the preservation of Munich and the Bavarian town after Thirty Years War with Swedes. The figure of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child at the top was originally housed in the Frauenkirche. The four armoured 'putti' around the base are vanquishing the 'curses of mankind':the snake fighting against plague, the lion against hunger,the dragon against war and the basilisk against ungodliness.
Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).The church of the 15th cent. with the onion-domed towers and interior with works of art spanning 5 centuries is one of the biggest Gotic structure. One of Munich"+"'s most notable landmarks. The 99-meter tall towers serve as the upper limit for any buildings in the Old City town.
Altes Rathaus is the old town hall in its original 15th cent. style. The tower was first erected on Marienplatz in 1180 as a watchtower to defend the eastern side of the city. It was destroyed several times over the centuries and reconstructed in the early 1970s according to architect's plans from the year 1462. One of the most beautiful Gothic halls in the country was built in 1470-80 by Jцrg von Halsbach, who also designed the Frauenkirche.
Isator (Isar Gate) can be found west of the Marienplatz, at the end of what is called the 'Tal' (valley). The tower was built in 1337 and was the main thoroughfare towards the Isar, the main river flowing through Munich. The facade of the Isartor is ornamented with a painting depicting the Battle fought by Ludwig der Bayer in 1322 at Ampfing.
Max Joseph Platz. Designed as a focal point for the monumental avenue (Maximilianstrasse) that radiates eastward, the plaza was built during the 19th century on the site of a Franciscan convent in honor of Bavaria's first king, where a massive monument commemorates the reform-minded early-liberal Bavarian King Maximilian Joseph I. The Bavarian National Theatre is located there. The outer and interior architecture of the building that was completely destroyed in 1944 have been reconstructed in the original classical style. In this impressive setting, every performance of the Bavarian State Opera becomes a festive event.
Maximilianeum was the wish of Maximilian II, King of Bavaria from 1848 to 1874, that his name be given to a street. To this end he developed a ‘Municipal Enhancement Plan’ already during the early Thirties of the 19th century, which foresaw a spectacular edifice, surrounded by a park, on the elevated bank of the River Isar. The invitation for tenders turned into one of the hottest contests between architects the 19th century had ever seen. The Maximilianeum was constructed by Friedrich Berklein 1857 – 1874 at the high Isar skore Formerly Maximilianeum had been the residence of the foundation for gifted students to live free of charge in the Maximilianeum building while they study at university there and student`s hostel. At the Maximilianeum, the students each have a room, use of a library, a music room with two grand pianos, a computer room and a basement room for parties. Since 1949 it has had a more adequate purpose and has been the seat of the Bavarian Parliament( the Bavarian Landtag and the second advisory association the senat).
Maxmilian University, the equivalent of New York's Fifth Avenue, is Munich's Golden Mile. Planned as a showcase for King Maximilian II's dominion, it has architecture in what is known as Maximilianic style, an eclectic combination of styles with an emphasis on Gothic. Here you find the city's most elegant and expensive boutiques, restaurants, and hotels. Visitors can browse through stores like Armani, Hermиs, and Bulgari. Along with numerous hotels and restaurants, the street is also home to the Museum of Ethnology and the overpowering monument to the king, the Maxmonument. The street is the primary connector from the Altstadt to the suburbs of Lehel and Haidhausen.
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Isartor.
Marienplatz. St. Mary's Column(front). Neues Rathaus(left). Frauenkirche(behind).
Maximilianeum. Maxmilian bridge.
Maxmilian University.
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