Source: Allianz Arena

Munich

Large numbers of people come to Munich from around the world to enjoy its cosmopolitan atmosphere and almost Mediterranean air. The capital of Bavaria has more to offer than just its annual 'Oktoberfest'. Art treasures, architectural sights, and folklore are an attraction here all year round. Soccer also plays an important role. Munich is, after all, home to FC Bayern Munich, the most successful team in the German 'Bundesliga'.

Henry the Lion

Munich was founded by Henry the Lion on June 14, 1158. A hundred years later the small market town had become the residence of one of four Bavarian duchies. These duchies were united under a decree issued by Emperor Maximilian in 1505. From then on there was only the Duchy of Bavaria with Munich as its capital.

The people of the city bought salt, wine, grain, fish, and other staples at the markets held on the 'Rathausplatz' (town hall square). The square continues to be dominated by the tower of the Neo-Gothic town hall, whose chimes are sounded at regular intervals every day. Another famous landmark is the Gothic Cathedral with twin towers dating back to 1525. The tower of Munich's oldest parish church, fondly referred to as "Old Peter", is also a permanent fixture in the cityscape.

English Garden

The 19th century was one of the most important periods for Munich in terms of growth and urban development. This is when the city's famous 'English Garden' was created along the banks of the Isar, one of the earliest and largest landscape gardens in Germany and the first on the European continent to be opened to the general public.

Munich's cityscape is a colorful mixture of the old and the new. Well known landmarks include the baroque Theatiner Church, the 'Maximilianeum' (seat of the Bavarian State Assembly), the BMW Building, and the roof-covered stadium built for the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Home of Bayern Munich

The Olympic Stadium was the venue of the 1974 World Cup final which Germany won 2:1 against the Netherlands. Germany had previously won the title in 1954. FC Bayern Munich, doubtless the country's best known football club, plays its home games here. Founded in 1899, Bayern Munich has been German champion eighteen times and has won the Champions League title four times. Bundesliga matches with rival TSV 1860 München has always provided an exciting local derby of the two clubs..

Anyone hearing the name Bayern München will immediately think of its most famous player and one of Germany’s greatest sportsmen: Franz Beckenbauer. As a Bayern player, the "Kaiser" (emperor) won everything there was to win. With him as coach Bayern Munich was German champion in 1994 and UEFA Cup winner in 1996. His greatest successes were with the national team, which he led to victory as team captain in 1974 and as manager in 1990. Beckenbauer became president of Bayern Munich in 1994 and vice president of the DFB in 1998. After serving as chairman of the bidding committee he is now president of the 2006 FIFA World Cup organizing committee.

Source: REGIERUNGonline / Reineke

Munich is not just a city for sports fans but also for art lovers. It held its first art exhibition in 1788. In 1830 it opened Germany's first museum for ancient and contemporary sculpture, the 'Glyptothek'.

This was followed by the establishment of numerous private and public galleries such as the 'Alte Pinakothek' and the 'Neue Pinakothek'. The 'Deutsches Museum', built on an island formed by the Isar, preserves masterpieces of science and engineering. It has more than 16,000 objects on display, many of which visitors are allowed to touch and manipulate.

The "Deutsches Museum" is more than just a place where artifacts are kept on display. It has a library, an institute for research and advanced training, as well as a conference hall. It also has a meteorological tower equipped with a thermometer, a barometer, an anemometer, and a hygrometer.

City of beer

After a long day of sightseeing or walking through museums what better change of pace than a visit to a brewery. Munich's reputation as a city of beer and beer festivals is based on a tradition that is much older than the annual 'Oktoberfest'. It is historically documented that beer was brewed in Munich as early as 1286 and a beer purity law was issued here in 1487.

More information

Homepage of the City of Munich

Homepage of the Government of Bavaria for the FIFA WM 2006 in Bavaria

The Allianz Arena in Munich (in german)

Destination Germany: Munich

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Deutsche Fußball-Fans mit Deutschland-Fahnen

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Munich