DK Travel : Munich

Of the city he lived in for many years, 20th-century writer Thomas Mann said that “Munich glows”. And indeed, the sky is often a brilliant blue dotted with puffy white clouds in “Italy’s northernmost city”, where the relaxed, often Baroque lifestyle gives it a southern flair. Englischer Garten and the Isar meadows are right in the middle of the city; Starnberger See and the mountains are virtually on the doorstep. But Munich is also a city of art and culture with an abundance of historic buildings, museum treasures, and a lively cultural scene. Fine art, leisure, and la dolce vita make this a unique city.

For Munich on the Internet, visit www.muenchen.de With 1.3 million inhabitants, Munich is Germany’s third-largest city.

Münchner Kammerspiele

Built by Richard Riemerschmid in 1901 and now restored, this theatre became the home of the Münchner Kammerspiele in 1926. Inside, Art Nouveau rules, with intertwining ornamentation and dozens of lighting fixtures in the shape of flower buds. During the 1920s, the Kammerspiele was considered the most important stage outside Berlin and caused quite a stir staging works by Bertolt Brecht and others. Even today, you are sure to be treated to innovative theatre.
Münchner Stadtmuseum

Documenting the history and culture of the city, there are sections on puppetry, musical instruments, photography, and film (see Münchner Filmmuseum im Stadtmuseum).
Münchner Volkstheater

What you experience here is by no means simple folk theatre but a sophisticated repertory of entertaining, popular plays.
Munich Biennale

This music theatre festival was founded in 1988 by composer Hans Werner Henze. The city of Munich commissions young composers to write their first full work for the festival. Now a biannual event, the festival has become an established highlight in the cultural life of the city, with a broad programme.
Munich Marathon

This media-sponsored marathon is held in Oct.
Murnau am Staffelsee

Painters Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) and Gabriele Münter (1877–1962) and writer Ödön von Horváth (1901–38) worked and lived in this picturesque town. Follow in the footsteps of the Blue Rider art group – the Münter-Haus and Schlossmuseum, in particular, are highly recommended. There is a beautiful walking path around the idyllic Staffelsee.
Murnauer Moos

At 32 sq km (12 sq miles), the Murnauer Moos is the largest continuous fenland in Bavaria. It is home to several thousand animal species and more than 900 plant species, many of which are threatened with extinction and have been placed under protection in this conservation area. Signposted paths through the fen provide beautiful hiking opportunities in all seasons.
Museum District

Near Königsplatz on Barerstraße are the three large Pinakotheken (see Museum District – Alte Pinakothek). Additional museums are planned for this district.
Museum District – Pinakotheken

Together, the Alte and Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne house the city’s major painting collections (see Museum District – Alte Pinakothek).
Museum Reich der Kristalle

Next door to the Pinakothek der Moderne, this museum houses a large collection of crystals and minerals.