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.

Aroma-Kaffeebar

Breakfast buffet, coffee blends, and homemade cakes.
Around Königsplatz

Munich owes its Royal Square, or Königsplatz, to Ludwig I and the vision of architect Leo von Klenze. The Propyläen (Doric) and the Glyptothek (Ionic), housing a magnificent sculpture collection, and the Antikensamm-lung (Corinthian), a collection of antiquities, were all built between 1816 and 1862 (see Glyptothek and Staatliche Antikensammlungen). Directly behind the Propyläen lies the Lenbachhaus (see Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus); and one block farther down, the Paläontologisches Museum. On the east side, the Königsplatz merges with the Karolinenplatz. The obelisk at its centre is a memorial to Bavarian soldiers who died in Napoleon’s Russian campaign. During the Nazi era, Königsplatz was used for rallies and parades. Another relic of that era is today’s Academy of Music and Theatre, then the so-called Führer-Bau, in which the infamous Munich Agreement was ratified in 1938. Today, this magnificent square is used for open-air events in summer.
Around Marienplatz

Site of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) Marienplatz is the main square. The historic carved figures of the Glockenspiel in the town hall tower come alive in a coopers’ dance three times a day.
Around the University

Bounded by the Amalienstraße, Türkenstraße, and Adalbertstraße, the student quarter features not only many excellent bookshops but also boutiques of all kinds, including eccentric clothing stores, and jewellery and design shops.
Around Viktualienmarkt

Worth a stroll in its own right, Munich’s oldest market is surrounded by speciality shops of all sizes. To the south, you’ll find the shops of the Gärtnerplatz district, while many small antique shops and the city’s largest supermarket for organic foods line the narrow streets leading to Isartor. On the west side, in the direction of Rindermarkt, a new shopping arcade has been created around the medieval Löwenturm.
Arri Kino

Designed by Arnold & Richter, this is a cinema rich in tradition, with a large lobby and bar.
Asam Brothers

Cosmas Damien (1687–1739) and Egid Quirin (1692–1750) Asam were the chief proponents of Bavarian Rococo.
Asam-Schlössl

Cosmas Damian Asam acquired this 17th-century building in 1724 and decorated the façade with frescoes. The small castle houses a restaurant with a beautiful garden.
Asamkirche

Dedicated to St Johann-Nepomuk, this late Baroque church built by the Asam brothers features ceiling frescoes depicting the saint.
Ash Wednesday

Carnival (Fasching ) is followed by a fasting period and the start of the bock beer season.