Munich

The capital of Bavaria is situated in the midst of a beautiful pre-alpine countryside and offers an abundance of art, culture, architecture and leisure-time enjoyment. Munich combines the splendor of an old royal seat with the vitality of a modern high-tech location. The city owes its generous architecture to the reign of King Ludwig I. Its townscape is marked by broad avenues and the contrast between Classicistic restraint and Baroque profusion. Munich is endowed with excellent treasures of art and culture from antiquity and the various styles of past centuries to our present time. The Royal Residence, the largest urban palace in Germany, with its impressive treasury in the city center, Nymphenburg Castle with its vast park facilities, as well as, the three Pinakothek art galleries are top sights. Shopping in Munich is a particular pleasure. Strolling along the extravagant Maximilianstrasse and Theatinerstrasse you quickly reach the pedestrian mall where department stores and shops offer their selected goods. Visit Munich the weekend prior the IWGO Conference and don't forget to enjoy a mug of freshly tapped beer!

Bild: Rudolf Sterflinger, Tourismusamt München

Bild: T. Höpker, Tourismusamt München

Marienplatz - Marien Square and the New Town Hall of Munich
Marienplatz is the central square in the heart of Munich; from here, you can explore many old and wonderful buildings, churches and landmarks. Marienplatz houses the Mariensäule, the Marian Column topped with the golden statue of Virgin Mary, and it is also home to the Old and the New Town Hall of Munich.
The tower of the New Town Hall houses the Glockenspiel, a beautiful carillon that is over 100 years old. Come here at 11 a.m. or noon to hear the Glockenspiel chime and watch the 32 life-sized figures re-enact historical Bavarian events. Look out for the golden bird that chirps 3 times to mark the end of each show.


Bild: Friedrich Zenz, Tourismusamt München

Frauenkirche - Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady The Catholic Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady is the landmark of Munich and the city's largest church; it holds up to 20,000 people.
Together with the Town Hall, the sturdy twin towers of the Cathedral shape Munich's skyline and make it a great point of orientation.


Bild: Alfred Müller, Tourismusamt München

Viktualienmarkt - The Victuals Market
Only a few steps away from Marienplatz, you'll find the bustling Viktualienmarkt, Munich's daily outdoor farmers market. Stroll past the 140 colorful booths and enjoy the unique flavor of this market that boasts a great variety of fresh and regional food.
Stalls not only offer the freshest fruits and vegetables in Munich, but traditional Bavarian Schweinshax'n and Speck, sea food, delicious cheeses from all over Europe, herbs, honey products, sushi and hand-made straw puppets are also for sale.


Bild: Lothar Kaster, Tourismusamt München

The English Garden
Just a few blocks northeast of the Munich Residence is the English Garden, Munich's famous 900-acre park. Bigger than Central Park in New York, this green oasis has shaded paths, brooks, ponds and swans and is best known for its four beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm, Seehaus, Hirschau, Aumeister) and nude sunbathers.
Highlights of the park include the Chinese Pagoda and its huge beer garden, the Japanese teahouse the Greek style temple, and the infamous Schönfeldwiese, the lawn where the locals like to sunbathe nude.


Bild: Torsten Krüger, Tourismusamt München

Museums Ensemble: Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne
West of the English Garden is a unique ensemble of three museums, each of them highlighting a different period in European art:
The Alte Pinakothek is one of the oldest art galleries in the world and home to over 800 European masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the end of the Rococo. You can see one of the biggest Rubens collections here.
The Neue Pinakothek features art and sculpture from the late 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. Highlights include German art of the 19th century, such as paintings from Caspar David Friedrich, and a wonderful collection of French impressionists.
The Pinakothek der Moderne is the largest museum for modern art in Germany and spotlights art of the 20th century, including photography and video.

Bild: Wilfried Hösl, Tourismusamt München

Hofbräuhaus
No trip to Munich is complete without a visit to the most famous beer hall in the world, the Hofbräuhaus. The Hofbräuhaus brewery was built in 1589; in the surface of the long wooden tables, you can spot names, comments, and dates that were engraved more than 100 years ago.
The Hofbräuhaus, located close to central Marienplatz, serves hearty, regional specialties such as veal sausage, pork roast, and brewer goulash, the Beer is served in 1-liter steins and called a Mass, and Bavarian bands play the signature Oompah-beat daily.
Prost!


Bild: Robert Hertz, Tourismusamt München