The official motto of Munich is “Munich likes you” and it tries it’s best to live up to it. A city of bounty and fun, where tourists feel welcome and have the time of their lives. Munich is the third largest city in Germany situated at the North of the Bavarian Alps and a huge tourist attraction. Documentary attestation indicates the foundation of the city in the 12th century, yet it is supposed to go back at least to the 8th when a Benedictine monastery existed in the vicinity.
Over the centuries, Munich became a very successful trade centre enjoying economic and cultural growth. However, it went through two devastating fires that destroyed not only some of the oldest buildings but the fortifications as well. In the turmoil of the 14th century Munich used to be the area of resistance in the fight against papacy. After the second large fire in the 15th century the city’s sense of security improved with the building of new extended fortifications. It was a period of revival for the Gothic arts.
The result of this Gothic renewal was the great Munich Cathedral, which has become the city’s symbol, with its two brick towers and onion domes. Another church worth visiting is the Asamkirche, which is a lot smaller, but completely surprising. The tourists are taken aback when they see that beyond the insignificant entrance door, there lies one of a most beautiful 18th century opulent frescos. Specific to the late-Baroque architecture of the church are the rich columns and the marble wall covering.
You can’t go to Munich and pass indifferently by the City Hall. It is one of the most beautiful palaces in Germany, where the ruling dynasty used to live during the medieval period. Many of the tourists who visit the hall admire the oriel (the bay window) hidden on the south wall. The west part of the building has something even more special to offer: fine food and wine, as it houses Vinorant Alter Hof. Now, let’s move to some other great tourist attractions you’ll find in Munich.
Antikensammlungen – I know it’s a long name, fortunately you don’t have to remember it - it’s the museum housing one of the finest collection of ancient art in Europe: there are Etruscan art objects, Greek vases made of either glass or gold. Other important records of the Roman and Celtic past are to be admired at the Museum of Archeology. An unusual exhibit is the fully preserved body of a ritually sacrificed girl, recovered from a peat bog in Bavaria.
As for the fun side of Munich, I’ve got good news for you, there is no way to get bored in Munich. You are in the European Hollywood, Munich being a leading centre in the movie-making industry. There are stunts shows to enjoy, tours on the sets of some of the most popular movies shot here, plus a most entertaining cinema house where you can experience movies as if you were in the middle of the story yourself. Your chair moves and you have no less than five audio channels to get you into the picture.
Furthermore when you say Munich you definitely mean the house of BMW. There is a BMW museum to visit that is worth every minute of your time. The museum as such is a tower that looks like a set from Star Wars containing a baffling collection of BMW’s both old and new. You may even take advantage of a factory tour, but you have to book your place in advance. After a rich touring day, try Alfonso’s to spend a quite and intimate evening of live music or Augustiner’s Beer Garden for a drink and some excellent food.