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.    

There’s a podcast for each episode and we are adding more written information to each post as fast as we can.  So, let’s go, or as the Germans say, ‘Los geht’s’!

MUNICH : HISTORY & CULTURE

Episode 1: Introduction to Munich

January 24, 2023

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 hospitality centres on beer – think famous breweries … Read more

Episode 2: The Residenz in Munich

February 19, 2023

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 family who ruled Bavaria for over seven hundred years. … Read more

Episode 3: Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich

February 19, 2023

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 when you visit Schloss Nymphenburg, which means Nymphs’ … Read more

Episode 4: Ludwig II, The Strange And Handsome King

February 19, 2023

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 ‘find’ him in and around Munich today. He … Read more

Episode 5: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee

February 19, 2023

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 brings you some of the stories behind them, highlighting … Read more

Episode 6: Munich City Centre

February 19, 2023

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 the blue-and-white knight always win the daily jousting … Read more

Episode 7: Munich And The Rise of Hitler

February 19, 2023

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 Reichskanzler. How did Munich come to be known … Read more

Episode 8: Munich and World War ii

February 19, 2023

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 significant streets and squares, museums, and two places relating … Read more

Episode 9: Munich, Standing Up To Hitler

February 19, 2023

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 Munich residents who risked everything to express publicly their … Read more

Munich art

February 19, 2023

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 the city’s main art galleries, explaining what you can … Read more

Episode 11: Music and Literature in Munich

February 19, 2023

First, hear what Wagner, Mahler and Richard Strauss did in Munich and where you can still find traces of them today, followed by a rundown of the city’s current music scene, from Bavarian folk music … Read more

Episode 12: Football and the Munich Olympics

February 19, 2023

First, a brief history of Munich’s two great football clubs, Bayern Munich and TSV 1860, and the grand Allianz Arena, home to both teams. Hear too about the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, which cost the … Read more

Episode 13: Enjoying the Food in Munich

February 19, 2023

This episode is devoted to all things culinary in Munich, including Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) and the Viktualienmarkt (food market) which is the gathering place for anyone wanting to buy local produce or … Read more

Episode 14: Munich – World Capital of Beer

February 19, 2023

First, a brief history of brewing in Munich, from its beginnings in medieval monasteries, through royal patronage, the 19th century development of the craft on an industrial scale and, finally, the development of the 6 … Read more

Munich Extra: Heart of Munich Tours

February 19, 2023

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 here he tells us what’s on offer and shares … Read more

Munich Extra: The 3rd Reich

February 19, 2023

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 the 2 Munich tours he runs to explain some … Read more

Munich Extra: Keksliebe Bavarian Food

February 19, 2023

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: The difference between Keks and Kuchen, how to eat … Read more

Munich Extra: A Virtual Visit to Munich

February 22, 2023

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 on a tour of websites, YouTube videos, books and … 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

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