Munich

Our Munich series takes in all the main city sights and delves into its history, from medieval beginnings to its 19th century heyday as a cultural centre and home to some of Europe’s most eccentric monarchs. We look too at the city’s role as the ‘capital’ of National Socialism, as well as its connections to fields as varied as art, music, literature, sport ….. and beer!  

Each of the 14 episodes in the series centres round places you will want to visit – from the palatial Residenz to the beer halls where Hitler made his first speeches – and brings you all the background history and culture you’d research yourself if only you had time. So, let’s go, or as the Germans say, ‘Los geht’s’!

MUNICH : HISTORY & CULTURE

Domkirche_und_Frauenkirche-© München Tourismus_A_Mueller

Episode 1: Introduction to Munich

Last Updated on August 25, 2023 by Ctybr67k Wilkommen in München. Welcome to our Introduction to Munich. Surrounded by stunning Bavarian scenery, Munich is full of art, history and beautiful baroque architecture. Its reputation for … Read more
Fassade der Residenz, © München Tourismus, Vittorio Sciosia

Episode 2: The Residenz in Munich

Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Marian Jones The huge palace which dominates Munich’s old town is called the Residenz and it is the city’s most-visited tourist attraction. It was built for the Wittelsbach … Read more
Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich

Episode 3: Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich

Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Ctybr67k This lovely summer palace, the Nymphenburg, built to celebrate the birth of a baby, is easily reached from the city centre. This post explains what to see … Read more
Ludwig II Memorial at Lake Starnberg

Episode 4: Ludwig II, The Strange And Handsome King

Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by Ctybr67k Of all the Wittelsbach kings, Ludwig II attracts the most attention and this post tells you all about this ‘strange and handsome king’ and explains where to … Read more
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria

Episode 5: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee

Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Marian Jones The fairy-tale castles built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria – notably Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee – are some of Bavaria’s most-visited attractions and this post … Read more
Blick auf die Theatinerkirche, © München Tourismus, Tommy Lösch

Episode 6: Munich City Centre

Last Updated on July 12, 2023 by Ctybr67k This post focuses on Munich City Centre, the area around Marienplatz, with its two – yes, two! – Town Halls and quaint daily marionette shows. (Why does … Read more
Hitler in Munich Licensed under Creative Commons

Episode 7: Munich And The Rise of Hitler

Last Updated on July 17, 2023 by Ctybr67k This post explains the rise of Hitler in Munich, telling the story from his arrival in the city in 1913 until he left for Berlin and became … Read more
War Damage in Munich Licensed by Wikemmedia commons

Episode 8: Munich and World War ii

Last Updated on November 6, 2023 by Marian Jones This episode focuses on Munich in World War II, especially on places to visit to learn about this key period in the city’s history. They include … Read more
Sophie Scholl LIcensed by Creative Commons

Episode 9: Munich, Standing Up To Hitler

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Marian Jones The journalist, the priests and the students who spoke out against Hitler Resistance in World War II was hugely dangerous, but there were a number of … Read more
by Franz Marc

Episode 10 Munich Art

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Marian Jones This post begins with a historical overview of Munich art, from medieval illuminated manuscripts to the expressionist art of the 20th century. Then, we look at … Read more
Bayerische Staatsoper - Nationaltheater am Abend © München Tourismus, Felix Löchner

Episode 11: Music and Literature in Munich

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Marian Jones This post summarises the role of music and literature in Munich, covering the famous composers and authors associated with the city, from Wagner and Mahler to … Read more
Olympic Stadium, Munich

Episode 12: Football and the Munich Olympics

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Marian Jones This post is for sports fans wondering what Munich has to offer them. We cover the Munich Olympics and the city’s two great football clubs, giving … Read more
Bayerische Küche - Schweinebraten mit Knödel © München Tourismus Frank Stolle

Episode 13: Enjoying the Food in Munich

Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by Marian Jones The topic of food in Munich is a wide one. We start with Kaffee und Kuchen, the coffee and cake combo so popular all over Germany. … Read more
Hofbräuhaus bei Nacht, © München Tourismus, B. Römmelt

Episode 14: Munich – World Capital of Beer

Last Updated on January 16, 2024 by Marian Jones Munich is surely the World Capital of Beer and the city’s Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival. This post gives a little history of brewing … Read more
Frauenkirche, Munich

Munich Extra: Heart of Munich Tours

Last Updated on February 19, 2023 by Hannah Henderson An interview with tour company founder Jake Slisz After 5 years in Munich, Jax has founded his own tour guiding company, Heart of Munich Tours, and … Read more
Frauenkirche, Munich

Munich Extra: The 3rd Reich

Last Updated on February 19, 2023 by Hannah Henderson The second half of our interview with tour company founder Jake Slisz We welcome Jax Slisz back for a second week in order to hear about … Read more
Frauenkirche, Munich

Munich Extra: Keksliebe Bavarian Food

Last Updated on February 19, 2023 by Hannah Henderson Stefanie Schnellhammer from the Munich catering company Keksliebe gives us an insight into Bavarian food Our interview with Stefanie Schnellhammer of Keksliebe covers all things culinary: … Read more
Frauenkirche, Munich

Munich Extra: A Virtual Visit to Munich

Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by Hannah Henderson A bonus visit to whet your appetite If an actual trip to Munich isn’t possible just now, you can always enjoy this virtual visit instead. Go … Read more

Munich: LINKS AND READING

Useful websites for tourists
Munich Tourist Office 
Munich Tourist Information 
Simply Munich

5 useful guidebooks
Top 10 Munich (Dorling Kindersley)
Lonely Planet Munich, Bavaria and the Black Forest
Rough Guide to Munich and Central Bavaria
111 Places in Munich that You Shouldn’t Miss by Rüdiger Liedtke
Only in Munich A Guide to Unique Locations, Hidden Corners and Unusual Objects by Duncan J Smith

3 useful history books
Weimar and the Rise of Hitler by A J Nicholls
The Trial of Adolf Hitler by David King
Hitler’s Interpreter The memoirs of Paul Schmidt

6 Biographies
The Swan King: Ludwig of Bavaria by Christopher McIntosh
The Mad King by Greg King
Lola Montez, Her Life and Conquests by James Morton
Sophie Scholl by Frank McDonough
Sophie Scholl and the White Rose by Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn
Hitler’s English Girlfriend  The Story of Unity Mitford by David Rehak

2 novels set in Munich
Munich by Robert Harris
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2 Books on Munich’s Artistic Heritage
The Munich Art Hoard by Catherine Hickley
Munich, Its Golden Age, Art and Culture by Rainer Metzger

PODCASTS TO GET YOU STARTED

OTHER CITY BREAK IDEAS