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Munich’s tallest “female,” Bavaria stands 18.5 m (59 ft) high. She holds an oak wreath in her hand, while a lion, Bavaria’s heraldic beast, lies at her feet. Designed by Ludwig Schwanthaler and cast by Ferdinand von Miller, the statue (1840–50) was a masterpiece of technological achievement at the time, incorporating an observation platform in the head (see Statue of Bavaria). Klenze’s Ruhmeshalle, with busts honouring famous Bavarians, stands behind the colossal statue.

Since the trade fair moved to Riem, the site of the Alte Messe (old fair) on Schwanthalerhöhe has been imaginatively developed. Elegant residences have been built on the former fairgrounds, and many of the fomer exhibition halls have been converted to cultural uses. The Verkehrszentrum, Deutsches Museum’s excellent branch museum of transport, is housed here in three halls (see The Branch Museums). Bavariapark, which lies nearby, was created by Ludwig I.

The many Turkish, Greek, and other ethnic stores and bars contribute greatly to the appeal of this area, which – at 40 per cent – has the largest foreign population in the city, fertile ground for the vibrant arts scene emerging here. More and more galleries and advertising agencies are setting up shop here every year.

A smaller, west-end version of the Englischer Garten, West-park was created for the fourth International Garden Show in 1983 and offers landscaped lawns and gardens, as well as picnic and barbecue facilities. Especially pretty is the Asian section with its Japanese garden, Thai pagoda, and other highlights.

Rotkreuzplatz is the centre of this, Munich’s second-largest urban district. Countless bars and restaurants line the streets surrounding the square. The many old but well-preserved low-rise apartment buildings found here make this a popular residential area. The adjacent Nymphenburg is more exclusive, with its large single-family homes and villas. Expansive green zones – the Botanical Gardens, Nymphenburg Park, and the Hirschgarten, which has the city’s largest beer garden – enhance the quality of life in this district.

When Adelaide of Savoy gave birth to the heir to the throne, Max Emanuel, in 1663, her husband, Elector Ferdinand, celebrated the event both by donating funds to build the Theatinerkirche but also by presenting his wife with their future summer residence at Schloss Nymphenburg. Built by the architect Barelli from 1664 onward, the Schloss ensemble underwent many expansions – in the end, the main building achieved an impressive length of 650 m (2,150 ft). The park, originally a small decorative garden, evolved into a large landscaped park, interspersed with several pavilions: Badenburg, Pagodenburg, Amalienburg, and Magdalenenklause. For a special coffee break, visit the Schloss-café in the exotic Palmenhaus.

The Botanischer Garten (Botanical Gardens) were laid out beside Nymphenburg Park at the start of the 20th century. Over 14,000 plant species are cultivated here. Highlights include the Alpinum, an Alpine rock garden, the Arboretum, a spectacular display of rhododendron blossoms, the fern glen, and the greenhouses.

A path with lovely views leads from Nymphenburg Park to Schloss Blutenburg. Situated amid meadows and fields, this former royal hunting lodge, built between 1435 and 1439 on an island in the Würm River by Duke Albrecht III, is rural in character. A late Gothic chapel was added in 1488. Today, Blutenburg houses the Internationale Jugendbibliothek. The castle café is perfect for a coffee break.

When Munich’s Tierpark was founded in 1911, it was the first zoo in the world that arranged animal enclosures and pavilions according to continents and geographic origins. Highlights include a large aviary, a jungle tent with lions and tigers, and a new tropical forest and aquarium pavilion, where monkeys, snakes, and fish inhabit a jungle and coral-reef habitat.

This exclusive villa district lies to the south of the city. The 12th-century Castle Grünwald houses an archaeological collection that includes Roman artifacts. Geiselgasteig & Bavaria Filmstadt are also located in this district.