They didnt even put furniture or tapestries in the rooms unless the Emperor was there. Drinking Tips:The 1-liter beer steins are called a Mass, light beer is helles, dark beer is dunkel, and they also have a half beer/half lemon soda drink called Radler. About Saint Peters Church: Saint Peters Church is the oldest parish in town and pre-dates the city of Munich itself. Thetowerswere added in front of the central tower as part of a double wall surrounded by a moat complete with a large drawbridge. Germany > Munich > Free Munich Walking Tour Map, Top 10 Munich Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Munich, Walking Tour Location: Old Town Munich (Altstadt) Church Hours: Daily 9am-7pm; Thursday open until 845pm; Sunday open until 10pm. The new church was so big that it even covered the graveyard of the previous church and today you can headstones that were incorporated right into the outside walls of Frauenkirche. These four child statues are all depicted fighting different creatures to symbolize adversities that Munich has overcome: war represented by the lion, pestilence by the rooster-headed creature, famine by the dragon, and heresy by the serpent. With the combination of beauty, history, and great food it is easy to have fond memories of Pfistermhle Restaurant. This lively square has been the primary Western entrance into Munichs Old Town since the original Inner City Wall (Innere Stadtmauer, built 1156-75) was expanded into the Outer City Wall (uere Stadtmauer, built 1285-1347) to fit a rapidly growing city. In the 700s a group of Benedictine Monks were the first to settle here and built modest monastery and chapel on what they called Saint Peters Hill. Only the shell of the Theatinerkirche and adjoining monastery were finished when it opened in 1674. Like most produce stands in Munich, it is normal for the workers to grab the fruits and vegetables you like for you instead of pulling them from the shelves yourselves. Opened in 1913, this vintage theater shows new release movies, however, the movie posters are still painted on just like the early days of film. 33. About The Richard Strauss Fountain:Often missed by tourists, the 18 foot tall Richard Strauss Fountain was designed to pay tribute to the composures most famous opera, Salome. The best works are the reliefs on the altar, an interesting series of paintings on thenave walls, and an angel statue near the entrance youll for sure love. Dominating New Town Halls Gothic facade is the 280-foot-tall central clock tower which is capped by the symbol of Munich, a statue ofthe Child Monk (Mnchner Kindl). Since 1983, the tower has served as a 4-story Toy Museum filled withdolls, doll houses, trains, teddy bears, and vintage Barbies. Thats right, not only is there a Reliquary with a ton of assorted bones/skulls, but also the almost comical, gem-covered skeleton of Saint Munditia. Cost: Free, spire climb is 1.50 Euros. Museum Cost: 4. Munichs compact Old Town is one of our favorite places to walk in Europe. Were always fascinated by these Gothic sculptures and how they show different stages of men turning into various creatures as you follow up each tier. [easy-fans hide_title=1 show_total=0 columns=4 template=metro effects=essbfc-no-effect]. It is in the 900 seatFestival Room that Hitler had some of his private meetings during the Nazi rise and occupation of Munich which were held at numerous beer halls. The cityof Munich was officially founded in 1158 when the Monks are given permission by Henry the Lion to hold a market. Exhibit Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. The sights on this free Munich walking tour will help you experience true Bavarian charm as you fall in love with Munich. Posted by Jeff. The lighting in the Kaufingertor Passageeven copies the feel of a natural sunset as the colorschange every evening gradually over a 90 minute period. About Asamhof Passage: Walking South of Saint Annas Church youll pass an amazing tree sculpture and then come to pedestrian corridorknown as the Asamhof Passage. With the wall section removed and the moat filled in, Karl gave the newly formed square and old New House Gate a facelift which both came to bear his name (Karlstor & Karlsplatz) after his death in 1799. Every time we visit the church we end up spending a couple minutes sitting by the outdoor art pieces and small pond to relax. As you enter City Halls large central courtyard, which serves as an open-air restaurant, stay to your left to see some great vertical sculptures. We find the Gothic Hall to be the most interesting of the exhibits today. (Meanwhile, the concentration camp in nearby Dachau reminds us that eight decades ago, it provided a springboard for Nazism.) Until 1871, it was the capital of an independent Bavaria. Its even more astonishing that this part of the building survives today as the mill was heavily bombed in WW2 and half of the complex had to be completely rebuilt which now is home to the neighboring Platz Hotel. A carnival-like parade of royal court members lead the jousters to battle and on the second rotation,the red rider (French) is flung from his horse by a strike from the triumphant blue rider (Bavarian). Today the Churchs main attraction is the Royal Crypt which holds 40 decorative tombs mainly of the Wittelsbach family who ruled Bavaria from 1180 through 1918 AD. Church Website: (HERE). Start: Karlsplatz Stachus Square & Metro Stop The size seems even crazier when you learn that Munich, which was decent sized for Medieval times, only had 13,000 residents when the 20,000-person Cathedral opened. The Hofgarten has turned into an ideal place to get a quick break from the bustling city.
Rick Steves Walk: Munich City Center by Rick Steves | Goodreads Photos: (Ruffini Tower in the 1600s | Rose & Lion Towers in the 1600s). Lenbachhaus A pleasant look at three stages of German art: 19th century, Blue Rider, and post-WWI most important for its Blue Rider collection. After the revolution of 1918, the Wittlesbachs ended their 738-year rule and the Residenz immediately became a public museum. Today the gateis a popular spot for photographers and the attached cafe is a favorite of locals. q Welcome to Munich Walk w Tour Begins: Marienplatz e St. Peter's Church r Viktualienmarkt t Jewish Synagogue & Munich City Museum y Asam Church u Sendlinger Strasse - . You can get a closer look at the Glockenspiel figures and some commanding city views by taking either the stairs or elevator to the top of the tower. The alter and painted frescoes were added in 1778 when the Citizens Hall was converted into a church. Today, Old Town Munich has a ton of great attractions and an unbeatable atmosphere to keep you coming back again and again. *Tram 19 takes you over the river and Prater Island directly to the
Austria & Germany Audio Walking Tours | Rick Steves' Europe FREE Munich Walking Tour Map - Old Town Guide - BigBoyTravel.com While in Marys Square (Marienplatz), it is hard to miss the backdrop of the huge New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)which we will visit next on this free Munich walking tour. Published by Avalon Travel Publishing . Photos: (Bakery In 1897 | Back of Bakery 1907 | Stream 1907)Restaurant Website: (HERE). Today the mighty brick gate is beautifully covered in vines and leads visitors into a series trendy shops. In 1994 a glass roof wasadded to theshopping gallery with anilluminated designwhichis pretty cool. The race was attended by 40,000 spectators and was the start of the modern Oktoberfest festival. Exhibit Cost: Free. The day of the wedding at Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the bride was led to Munich from nearby Dachau by a procession of over 3,500 horses and during the two-week-long party over 600 oxen were roasted. The beautiful column is capped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary which was originally crafted in 1590for the nearby Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) which we will visit later on this free Munich walking tour. The lions, who were the symbol of the ruling Wittlesbachfamily stand guard while holding shield like coat of arms. For the best vantage point of the show itself, head to the third floor of the Hugendubel Bookstore(open 10am-8pm) across the square from New Town Hall. The Beer Hall Putsch began when Hitler and troop of Brown Shirts stormed the Brgerbrukeller Beer Hall at 8:30pmon November 8th, 1923.
Street Map of Munich - Rick Steves Travel Forum You will even be able to see far away sights to the North such as Olympic Stadium on a clear day. Most of the 3,500 seats in spread throughout the beer halls rooms are open seating so dont be afraid to join a table of strangers if there are spots available. The Devils footprint can still be seen today and is one of the biggest attractions at Frauenkirche. Last entrance 1 hour before close. The lockers, which cost 200 euros a year, are very prestigious and can now only be acquired through inheritance. Make your trip to the Beer & Oktoberfest Museum special is grabbing a bite to eat at in the basement Museumsstueberl Cellar Restaurant(website). During WW2 the interior of Saint Annas was badly damaged including the frescoes and stucco work. As you enter all of your attention is funneled to the high altar as tall columns make Frauenkirche appear almost windowless from the entrance. When the neighboring Holy Ghost Hospital was demolished in 1885 it gave the proper room for the Viktualienmarkt to expand with proper space. As the Alter Hof grew, it was laid out with 5 wings around a central courtyard which housed farm-like gardens and Royal craftsmen. 360 Degree Panorama: Click Here. At the mouth of the alley are twolarge lion statues marking the Western entrance into the Royal Residence. About New Town Hall:From 1801 to 1861 the population of Munich boomed from 40,000 to 120,000 and the Citys needs quickly outgrew the Old Town Hall. With most of Germany being Protestant and Bavaria being Catholic, Munich wanted to make a statement with the size of their new Gothic-style City Parish. The Bavarian atmosphere is very predominate everywhere you turn which adds to the fun of our free Munich walking tour. In Medieval times during May Day, the top of the Maypole would have market items hanging from the halo wreath on the top. The huge English Garden has river surfing, sunbathing, the amazing outdoor Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and lots of open space. Viktualienmarkt Munich's "small-town" open-air market, perfect for a quick snack or meal. Ludwig was disliked in his day for being disconnected from the people and for being an over-spender, but is loved today for the numerous castles and palaces he built. About Sendlinger Tor: Munichs first city wall expanded here in the late-1200s marked with a tall multistory central gate tower. Our favorite elements of the exterior are the Rococo tops on the bell towers and the 2 statues to sides of the main window. While the gallery was supposed to get many more statues over time, it only has three main works. About The Museums:Sitting inside a former 15thCentury city arsenal, the Munich City Museum (Mnchner Stadtmuseum) is one of only a few museums worth a stop in Munich. While Munich(Mnchen) means by the monks, youll see a lot of Lion Statues on this Old Town Munich walking tour because it was officially founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion. As you check out the Beer Museum you follow how the making of beer was perfected in Munich including original recipes from the 1400s. During the show the Mnchner Kindl (Child Monk), who is the symbol of the city who is led to bed by the Friedensengel (Angel of Peace) as the Night Watchman sounds out the Citys Medieval curfew on his horn. Church Hours: Doors are usually unlocked Dawn-Dusk and even if the nave is closed you can still see the interior through a large grate inside. This new wooden church latest until 1327 when it burned down and was replaced with a larger Gothic style church complete with 2 large bell towers. One of this castles, Neuschwanstein Castle, is so beautiful that it inspired Walt Disney to make his version of Snow Whites Castle. If you are hungry, make sure to stop by the legendary Mnchner Suppenkche soup kitchen to eat like a local. Saint Michaels Church is so grand in size that it actually served as the head of the Catholic Churchs Counter-Reformation efforts in the 1500s. Huge retail centers now flank the New House Gate and overlook a sprawling fountain. Today 600,000 people a day visit the 10 day long celebration with is a mix of state fair and beer halls. 03/31/14 12:23 AM. As you walk the alley there are a number of cool statues which were added during rennovations toAsamho in the 1980s. The wedding was attended by royal delegations from all across Europe and was a celebration on a scale not often seen in the Middle Ags. The original city council offices were inside the Small Town Hall (Kleines Rathaus) built onto the South side of the watchtower in 1310. About Pfistermhle: What an amazing vine-covered building with an interesting history! It is said that if you touch the face while you walk by it will bring you good luck. Schleissheim Palace Another Wittelsbach palace, highlighted by Baroque architecture, fine garden, and fewer tourists than the other palaces. Until 1871, it was the capital of an independent Bavaria. About The Isartor Gate: In 1175, the first fortified wall around Munich was completed, but the city quickly outgrew that footprint. It is said that the new fortifications around the city took a workforce of over 40,000 people 13 years to complete. This was around the same time that Hitler started forming his Nazi party and through the horrors of the Holocaust it is amazing that items still remain to display today. In 1740, the famous Asam brothers moved into the house next door and started building their main showroom church. 1. Notice how the muzzle of the face on the shields are brightly polished? The first project was the building of new Ornate Rooms to keep up with the other Palaces in Europe. This mega-sized cathedral has become a symbol of Munich not only because its dominance in the skyline, but also because the brick towers survived heavy WW2 bombings even when the most of the church was leveled. These maps are excerpted from the guidebook Rick Steves' Germany by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. if (theYear < 1900) Munich Puppet Theater (Mnchner Marionettentheater): If you have never witnessed a classic Marionette production this is your chance. It built in 1964 in honor of the old cattle market and is completed by numerous cattle figures. A decade later the couple still hadnt produced an heir, putting the dynasty in danger. The sprawling market now has over 100 produce stands organized into 6 sections and even has a welcoming shaded beer gardenwhich opened in 1970. An Old Town building height restriction ensured the towers would be seen which was extended throughout the entire city in 2004 as skyscrapers started to pop up. Meeting place under the organ loft. Immerse yourself in the city's art and history crown jewels, Baroque theater, Wittelsbach palaces, great paintings, and beautiful parks.
Free Walking Tours Munich | 5 Best Free Tour Options - Free Tours by Foot Although it was heavily damaged in WW2 and largely rebuilt, the church now looks almost exactly like it did in the 1700s thanks to renovations. Make sure to check out their website if you want to catch an opera or ballet. The food can be a little strong on the sauerkraut, but it is about as traditional as youll find in Munich. Church Website: (HERE). Yes there are a lot of tourists at the Hofbrauhaus, but its still our favorite stop on this free Munich walking tour! Outside of the gate, the wall was protected by the Bakers Stream (Pfisterbach) which served as a flowing moat. The highlights include World-Class river surfing, nude sunbathers, the Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and the Monopteros hilltop acropolis. Also located adjacent to the Hofgarten is the Munich War Memorial. This expansion included another small gate called Rose Tower (Rosenturm) and a seven-story-tall brick water tower called the Lion Tower (Lwenturm). You will need to find a seat to get served at the Hofbrauhaus, but the community seating and friendly atmosphere make it easy to join other groups and make new friends. Make sure to check out their website if you want to catch an opera or ballet. After the Asam Brothers Church, we saw earlier on this free Munich walking tour, the Theatine Church is our second favorite in all of Old Town. During the exchange, 16 Nazis and 4 police were killed, and even Hitler wounded hisshoulder before being arrested two days later and jailed for 9 months. The two statues flanking both endswere in honorof revered Bavarian military heroes, Johann Tilly and Karl Von Wrede. Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars - would do it again in a heartbeat! There are a total of 424 mug lockers where local patrons store their custom steins between visits. It is by far the tallest church in Munich. Glockenspiel Show Times: Full 15-minute show at 11am and Noon, plus 5pm in Summer (March-October); 5-minute long night show daily at 9pm. These two breweries later merged as Hacker-Pschorr and are now sold worldwide in addition to their beer halls and Oktoberfest tent in Munich. Custom Walk: Create Your Own Walking Tour Sightseeing Walk: Munich Introduction Walking Tour Sightseeing Walk: Old Town Walking Tour Sightseeing Walk: Palaces Walking Tour Sightseeing Walk: Shopping Tour Sightseeing Walk: Third Reich Munich Walking Tour Sightseeing Walk: Old Town Souvenir Shops Discovery Walk: City Center Shopping Walk The grand hall you see today on the Northside of the watchtower is called the Dance House (Tanzhaus). On the North side of the hall is the Der Pschorr Beer Hall (website) which has very tasty beer. The fountain shoots dozens of water jets high into the air and is a popular attraction for people of all ages, especially kids. The most playful statueis that of a homeless man slumped over on the curb from 1982 called The Cold Night (Die kalte Nacht). Its only fitting to see this odd collection as Munich is said to have more relics than any other city outside of Rome. Spend your Munich evenings in a frothy beer hall or outdoor Biergarten, prying big pretzels from buxom, no-nonsense beer maids amidst an oompah, bunny-hopping, and belching Bavarian atmosphere. While called both Market Square (Marktplatz) andStall Square (Schrannenplatz) over the centuries, the lively space has been home a wide range of markets. Most of the paintings were damaged in WW2 and it took until the year 2000 to repair them all. The last rounds of expansion happened in the after Bavaria officially became a Kingdom in 1806 under the rule of King Maximilian I Joseph.