Illustrated magazine by Vladimir Dergachev “Landscapes of Life. Munich - the best city in Germany Munich during World War II

Is the German city of Munich. Its population has long exceeded one million people. In addition, it is a fairly old settlement, which is the cultural center of the Bavaria region. Let's find out what the population of Munich is, what its size is, demographic characteristics, living conditions and much more.

Geographical location of Munich

Before we start studying the population of Munich, let's find out where this European city is located.

Munich is located in the southeast of Germany on the territory of the administrative district of Upper Bavaria in the federal Although Munich is the capital of the federal state and the administrative center of the district, at the same time it is one of the 107 cities in Germany that have non-district status.

A Brief History of Munich

In order to understand how the population of Munich was formed, you need to look at it through the prism of history.

The history of the first settlement in these places dates back to the Early Middle Ages, namely the 8th century, when monks began to live on Petersberg Hill. They made up the very first population of Munich. Chronicle evidence about Munich appeared only in 1158, but seventeen years later it received the status of a city with all the ensuing privileges. The city was mainly inhabited by Bavarians - a subethnic group of the German people.

In 1240, Munich came into the possession of Duke Otto the Most Serene of the House of Wittelsbach, who was the ruler of Bavaria and the Palatinate, which were part of the Holy Roman Empire. From then on, until 1918, the Wittelsbachs did not lose the right to own the said city. In 1255, after the division of Bavaria into two parts between the brothers, Munich became the capital of the Duchy of Upper Bavaria. In 1507, Bavaria reunited into a single duchy, but nevertheless Munich did not lose its capital status, remaining the center of the united state. In 1806, Bavaria received the status of a kingdom. Munich reached its real prosperity under King Ludwig I, who built buildings in the city, decorated it, and invited many famous cultural figures here. The city has become a real cultural capital of southern Germany.

During World War I, the city was bombed by the Entente forces. After the war, the King of Bavaria fled the country, and in 1919 in Munich, Marxist forces proclaimed the creation of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. True, less than a month later Bavaria was returned to Germany (Weimar Republic).

It was in Munich that the origins of German Nazism began. The National Socialist German Workers' Party was founded here in 1920. In 1923, in Munich, the Nazis launched an unsuccessful coup attempt, which became known as the Beer Hall Putsch. In 1933, the Nazis managed to come to power in Germany through democratic elections. But it should be noted that Munich at the same time became the main center of the anti-Nazi movement among German cities. During World War II, the city was subjected to repeated airstrikes, during which the population of Munich decreased by at least 25%.

After the end of the war, Munich fell into the American zone of occupation. The city was rebuilt. In 1949 it became part of the newly formed state of the Federal Republic of Germany. Munich became the country's largest industrial city, as well as one of its political and cultural centers. In terms of size and population in Germany, this settlement is second only to the capital of the country - the city of Berlin, as well as Hamburg.

Population

Now it's time to determine what Munich's population is. This indicator is the basis for all other demographic calculations. So, the population of Munich is currently 1526.1 thousand people.

As mentioned earlier, this is the third most populous result in Germany. For comparison, 3490.1 thousand people live in Berlin, 1803.8 thousand people live in Hamburg, and 1017.2 thousand people live in the fourth largest city in Germany, Cologne.

Dynamics of population changes

Now let's find out how the city's population has changed over time. Munich generally increased in terms of this indicator, although there were also periods when the number of residents temporarily decreased.

We will begin our excursion from 1840, when Munich was the capital of the kingdom. At that time, 126.9 thousand people lived in it. The population grew until 1939. So, in 1871 it was 193.0 thousand people, in 1900 - 526.1 thousand people, 1925 - 720.5 thousand people, in 1939 - 840.2 thousand people . But the Second World War, which resulted in the mobilization of men into the army, as well as the bombing of the city by Allied forces, significantly reduced the number. According to the 1950 census, the population of Munich is 830.8 thousand people, but we can say with confidence that in the first post-war years the number of residents was even smaller. But then growth began. So, in 1960, the population had already exceeded a million inhabitants, thereby setting a city record, and amounted to 1101.4 thousand inhabitants. In 1970, the city was already inhabited by 1,312 thousand people.

But then Munich, like the whole of Germany, suffered a demographic crisis. The birth rate has decreased significantly with increasing awareness in society of the level of responsibility for the child. In 1980, the population fell to 1298.9 thousand people, in 1990 it decreased to 1229.0 thousand people, and in 2000 to 1210.2 thousand people.

True, in the next period the number of residents began to grow again. Already in 2009 it reached a record level in its entire previous history - 1330.4 thousand inhabitants. But the growth didn't stop there. In 2013, the population reached the figure of 1407.8 thousand inhabitants, in 2015 - 1405.4 thousand inhabitants, and currently it is 1526.1 thousand inhabitants. The trend of population growth in the city continues today.

Population density

Which Munich occupies is 310.4 square meters. km. Knowing the area and population size, it is not difficult to calculate its density in Munich. At the moment it is 4890 people/sq. km.

For comparison, let's look at the density in other major cities in Germany. In Berlin it is 3834 people/sq. km, in Hamburg - 2388.6 people/sq. km,. and in Cologne - 2393 people/sq. km. Thus, we can state the fact that Munich has a fairly high population density.

Ethnic composition

Now let's find out what nationalities people live in Munich. The vast majority of the city's population are Germans, most of whom belong to the Bavarian subethnic group. Some ethnographers have even tried to distinguish them into a separate nation, since the culture and dialect are significantly different from the population of the rest of Germany.

But the city is home to quite a few immigrants from other countries of the world, as well as persons with foreign citizenship, including those with refugee status. The share of such residents exceeds 25% of the total number of residents. But the social protection of the population of Munich also applies to most of them.

Most of the population of Munich includes immigrants from Turkey. Their number is 39.4 thousand people. In addition, there are many immigrants from Croatia (29.3 thousand people), Greece (26.4 thousand people), Italy (26.0 thousand people), Austria (21.8 thousand people), Poland (21.1 thousand inhabitants), Bosnia and Herzegovina (16.5 thousand inhabitants), Romania (16.2 thousand inhabitants), Serbia (13.5 thousand inhabitants). It should be noted that recently the influx of refugees from Arab countries, mainly from Syria, has especially increased. However, this is a problem not only in Munich or Germany, but throughout Europe. However, Munich has the largest percentage of residents with a migration background relative to the total urban population (compared to other large German cities).

Religion

Almost half of Munich's population does not belong to any religious community. Such people make up about 45% of the total number of residents. At the same time, 33.1% of the population are parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church, 11.9% are Protestants, 7.2% are Muslims, 0.3% are Jews, and another 0.7% belong to other faiths.

The Munich city administration is trying to ensure the rights of representatives of all religious denominations of the city.

Employment

Now let's find out in what areas of activity the population of Munich is employed. We present a description of the main areas of production in the city below.

The main branch of Munich's economy is mechanical engineering, in particular automotive and aircraft manufacturing. Thus, the largest German car production plant, which is a world-famous brand - BMW (Bavarian Motor Works), is located on the territory of the city. This enterprise provides the population with more than 100 thousand jobs.

The city has a developed electronics industry (Siemens concern). In addition, Munich is one of the world's largest beer production centers.

But industry is not the only direction of the city's economy. The provision of various services, in particular financial ones, is also developed here, since Munich is a major banking center.

Social protection of the population

Like most other cities in the European Union, Munich maintains high social standards. In particular, the employment center is responsible for employing the unemployed and paying them benefits. The population of Munich is thus insured against the problems that arise after losing a job.

As mentioned above, refugees and other migrants are also not left without adequate protection. They are also considered to constitute the population of Munich. The Migration Service, as well as other social institutions, provided that migrants comply with German laws, also guarantee them social protection.

General characteristics of the population of Munich

Munich is the third most populous city in Germany, the largest industrial and cultural center of the country. Currently, the city is experiencing a constant increase in the number of residents, which is also provided by migrants, who make up about 25% of the total number of Munich residents. About half the city's population does not profess any religion. Among believers, the majority are Catholics.

In general, we can say that Munich has excellent demographic and economic prospects.

The capital of Bavaria, the city of Munich is not inferior in popularity among tourists to Berlin and Cologne. Not only is there a huge number of architectural monuments concentrated here, but also the most interesting events take place, among which the central place belongs to the immortal beer festival Oktoberfest. In addition, a major European opera festival has been held here since 1875.

A traveler who goes to Munich can do all this by strolling through elegantly decorated city squares and breathing in the Christmas atmosphere, visiting grandiose Bavarian castles and plunging into old German restaurants. In addition, the capital of Bavaria is a very prosperous and prosperous city. This is the ideal place for quality shopping.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see and where to go in Munich?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

The central square of Munich, where any tourist route inevitably leads. In the Middle Ages, knightly tournaments were held here and there was a fish market. Marienplatz has been the main square since the founding of the city. Here are the most significant attractions, popular restaurants, shops, and a food market. The square is always lively and quite crowded.

Neo-Gothic building on Marienplatz. The town hall was built in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries, although it seems that it is already several hundred years old. In 1874, the City Council moved here from the Old Town Hall. In order to make room for construction, about 30 residential buildings of citizens were demolished. The town hall is crowned with an 85-meter tower with a spire; the facade is decorated with figures of famous and significant personalities for German history.

A much more modest and ancient building than the New Town Hall. The first mentions of it are found in sources of the 14th century, but it is believed that it was built in the 15th century. The predominant style of construction is Gothic, with the addition of later Renaissance architectural elements. Nowadays the Toy Museum is located in the Old Town Hall. As a result of the bombing of World War II, the building was damaged and a new spire had to be installed on the main tower.

The palace complex, which was founded in the second half of the 17th century. It was used as the residence of the ancient Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty. The park surrounding the palace buildings stretches over an area of 200 hectares. In terms of the splendor and beauty of its interior decoration, Nymphenburg can be compared with the legendary “fairytale” Neuschweinstein Castle. Descendants of the Wittelsbachs still live in the part of the palace that is closed to tourists.

A hunting castle of the 15th century, built at the request of Duke Albrecht III. The story of the Duke's unhappy love is connected with Blutenburg. Against his father's wishes, he secretly married a commoner and settled with her in the castle. The father deceived his son out of the fortress, and in his absence ordered his unfortunate beloved to be thrown into the river. Albrecht eventually forgave his father, and a chapel was erected in honor of the innocently murdered girl.

The palace was founded by Duke William V at the end of the 16th century. Then it was a small mansion that the ruler used for privacy. His son Maximilian I rebuilt the manor to his liking and turned it into a palace. The Schleissheim complex includes three palaces, built at different times, and a vast park area. Johann Gump, Giovanni Trubillio and Francesco Rosa worked on the interior painting.

A complex of buildings in the central part of Munich, which is considered one of the largest in Europe. It was built over five centuries and was finally completed only in the 19th century. The Munich Residence is the official residence of the rulers of Bavaria from the Wittelsbach dynasty. It includes: a museum occupying more than 100 halls, 10 palaces, a theater and a concert hall.

Munich's Catholic Cathedral with its main tower is 99 meters high. According to city law, it is prohibited to erect buildings higher than the Frauenkirche (this decision is temporary, adopted in 2004 by popular vote). They worked on the construction of the temple in the XIV-XV centuries. It was assumed that it would accommodate 20 thousand parishioners, although the population of the city in those centuries was only 13 thousand people.

The temple arose on the initiative of two Azam brothers, who were architects, sculptors and painters at the same time. This is one of the few historical attractions that the Wittelsbach dynasty did not have a hand in creating. The brothers planned to use the church as a home chapel, but later, at the insistence of the people, it was open to everyone.

The temple is one of the most revered and ancient in the city. It arose in the 8th century in the form of a small wooden monastery on the initiative of the monks of the Tegernsee Monastery. In the 11th century, the temple was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. After the fire of 1327, a new building appeared in the Gothic style. In subsequent centuries, the church was rebuilt, expanded, and elements of late Gothic and Rococo were added to the façade.

Munich's main opera house, home to one of the most respected musical ensembles in the world, the Bavarian State Orchestra. The venue hosts the Munich Opera Festival. More than 300 performances are given here every year, leading performers are invited to play the main roles. The repertoire includes works by famous German composers and the best masterpieces of world opera.

A unique museum where the achievements of German technology and science are demonstrated. The exhibitions are located on six thematic tiers: hydraulic engineering, shipping, mining, trackless transport, oil and gas, power machines. The museum contains unique samples of equipment, the only ones that survived (that is, not destroyed at the request of the victorious countries) after two World Wars.

The museum's exhibition is dedicated to Bavarian history, culture, and folk art. It contains items made of porcelain, wood, silver, fabric and other materials. As well as significant collections of weapons, heraldic symbols, and jewelry. The museum’s special pride is its collection of nativity scenes. The collection is located in a historical building in the Baroque style with hundreds of interior rooms, passages and galleries.

Bavaria is the birthplace of the world famous BMW car. It was here that the first factories for the production of aircraft were located, which after the First World War were retrained as automobiles. This is how a recognizable brand appeared. In the museum you can look at the company's products from its very foundation. Many interesting and rare retro models of the last century are exhibited there.

Museum of Ancient Sculpture, which contains works of Roman and Greek masters from the 17th century BC. to the 5th century. Both originals and copies of statues, bas-reliefs, and busts that have not survived to this day are exhibited here. The exhibition is housed in 13 halls. Here you can see statues of the mythical Hephaestus, Daedalus, Pericles and other characters. Most of the collection was collected by King Ludwig I.

The collective name of a group of art galleries and museums, which houses a collection of paintings from the 14th century to modern times, as well as collections of modern and applied art. The Alte Pinakothek houses exhibitions of masters of the 14th-18th centuries. In Novaya you can look at works of art of the 19th-20th centuries. The Pinakothek of Modernity exhibits collections from the 20th to 21st centuries.

The museum is located outside the city limits of Munich near the town of Dachau on the site of a former concentration camp. All people disliked by the Hitler regime were herded here for execution. Over the 12 years of its existence, tens of thousands of people were killed in the camp. The museum was organized at the request of former camp prisoners in 1965. There is little left from the buildings of the Second World War, but this place strikes with an ominous and oppressive atmosphere.

In 1972, Munich hosted the next Summer Olympic Games. Since those times, a park has remained (the area with Olympic venues), which local residents use for recreation and walks. The former facilities are used as sports training facilities, and major social and cultural events still take place here. It should be noted that largely thanks to the Games the city has changed and become more comfortable.

The stadium was built for the start of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. It belongs to the Bayern Munich club. The Champions League final was held here in 2011/12. The Allianz Arena is located in the Frettmaning Heath area. The building is called a real miracle of modern architectural art; at the entrance to the stadium, fans are breathtaking from the sight of this grandiose structure.

The famous beer festival, where all fans of the foamy drink strive to attend. Dozens of producers set up their tents at Oktoberfest, where countless liters of beer are drunk and kilograms of sausages and pork knuckles are eaten. The festival has existed since 1810; over two centuries it has become a real symbol of Bavaria and organically fits into cultural traditions. The first glass of beer at the opening is traditionally drunk by the head of the Bavarian government.

One of the oldest beer restaurants, which opened its doors to its first visitors at the beginning of the 17th century. At first there was a court brewery here. The large halls of the establishment can accommodate up to 4 thousand visitors at a time. Hofbräuhaus has a flexible pricing policy, so every tourist can afford to try different types of excellent beer and enjoy German cuisine.

The central city market is a real paradise for gourmets and connoisseurs of excellent products. There are approximately 140 shops here, which have been owned by the same families for many years. A place in the market is inherited. Mostly wealthy Munich residents and tourists shop at Viktualienmarkt, as the prices for the products are quite high. At the same time, the products are always of excellent quality.

A landscaped park with a layout in strict geometric proportions. It was founded under Maximilian I at the beginning of the 17th century, but was completely destroyed during the Second World War. The park was carefully and scrupulously restored according to old drawings and sketches, while elements of English park art of the 19th century were added. Hofgarten is a kingdom of neat alleys, flower beds, manicured lawns and picturesque fountains.

A popular city park among locals, visited by thousands of people every day. Here you can ride a bike and board in specially designated areas, as well as book a horse ride or just walk. The park stretches from the center to the northern part of Munich for 5.5 km. In summer, the numerous lawns are filled with people sunbathing, having picnics or simply dozing under the shade of the trees.

The zoo is considered one of the best in Europe. Like many modern zoos, it is built on the principle of a natural park, that is, conditions are created for the animals that are as close to natural as possible. The biological diversity of Hellabrunn is impressive - more than 750 species of animals and about 20 thousand individuals. The zoo is popular and is visited by 1.8 million people annually.

Munich - the capital of beer and baroque

Munich is unlike any other city in Germany. The Bavarian capital has its own architectural appearance and a special, colorful and expansive lifestyle. This city is called “Bavarian Rome”. The majestic beauty of its layout has a truly imperial scale, the features of a world capital. Baroque cathedrals and pompous buildings in the classicist style reinforce this impression.

“German Rome” is how the capital of Bavaria, Munich, is often called. The history of Munich goes back centuries - the official date of its founding is considered to be 1158. With its unique Old Town Hall and the historic Hofbräuhaus, beer festivals and excellent museums, Munich is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world. It is also a large industrial metropolis: since the 60s, world-famous companies such as Agfa, BMW, Siemens were created here, and the film industry also developed. For the Germans themselves, Munich remains a symbol of beer, tradition and celebration. Bavarians secretly consider it the capital of Germany and are very proud of it. Munich is the tourist Mecca of Germany, a city of grace and joy of life

Munich has many faces. Munich is a metropolis and a “big village”, where people will greet you on the street. Munich is a large open-air museum of architecture of all European styles, from Gothic to Art Nouveau. Munich is home to world-famous beer, fried sausages, white pretzels and the world's largest Oktoberfest. Munich is home to chic boutiques and a huge number of European and especially German celebrities. Munich is the industrial capital of Germany. Munich is a city of cinema. Munich – treasures of world painting in the Pinakothek. Munich is waiting for you, just as it waits for tourists from all over the world every year, and it is significant that the Germans themselves go on vacation to Munich with pleasure!

Munich - Munich

places (layout and main buildings mainly designed by the architect G. Benish and others), an Olympic village for 12 thousand people. (layout and landscaping designed by architect G. Gollein). A city railway line and a new metro line were built.

Lit.: Kreisel N., München, die Stadt als Kunstwerk, , 1968.

Klenze. Propylaea in M Yu nhene. 1846-60.

M Yu nhen. City plan.

Amalienburg Palace in Nymphenburg Park.

1734-39. Architect F. Cuvillier.

Olimpic village. 1968-72. Planning and landscaping designed by architect G. Gollein.

Old Town Hall.

1470. Architect J. Ganghofer.

Glyptothek. 1816-30. Architect L. von Klenze.

The administrative building of the Osram electric lamp industry enterprise. 1964-65. Architects W. Henn, D. Strebel.

Theatinerkirche.

1663-1767. Architects A. Berelli, E. Zuccalli, F. Cuvillier.

Church of St. Michael's Church. 1583-97. Architect F. Sustris. In the background is the Frauenkirche church (1466-92, architect J. Ganghofer).

M Yu nhen. General view of the city.

Munich

This city in southern Germany is located on the Isar River and is the capital of the federal state of Bavaria and, at the same time, the administrative district of Upper Bavaria.

The so-called “free city”.

Administrative division. Back in 1996, Munich was administratively divided into 41 districts, but as a result of the reform, their number was reduced to 25.

The name of the city comes from the Old High German “Munichen”, which means “with the monks”.

Population of Munich is 1,410,259 people - it is the largest city in Bavaria and the third largest among German cities.

Local government. The federal government of Bavaria, the government of Upper Bavaria, and the Munich district office are located here.

Education and science

Munich is a major industrial and research center.

Famous universities are located here - the Technical University of Munich, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (originally founded in 1472.

in Ingolstadt, and since 1826 located in Munich), as well as the Institute of Plasma Physics. Max Planck, Hochschule für Musik, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts.

Of no small importance is one of the largest libraries in Europe - the Bavarian State Library, numbering 6 million.

copies of the fund. In addition, Munich is home to a nuclear research reactor, the Philharmonic, the Giesing and Sendling observatories.

Sights, architecture

The central square of the city with the column of the Virgin Mary erected by Emperor Maximilian I is called Marienplatz, around it there are various attractions, incl.

Old and New Town Halls.

There are many architectural and historical monuments here.

The area of ancient buildings is called the Old Town - with the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God located here, the tallest in Munich (bell tower height 99 m), and other churches.

St. Peter's Church is the oldest church in Munich, built in the 12th century.

True, at the beginning of the 14th century, it was badly destroyed and restored, but in a different, Romanesque style.

The Church of St. Michael was built at the end of the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful buildings of the German Renaissance.

Here are many kings and princes from the Wittelsbach dynasty (among them Ludwig II of Bavaria, who went down in history under the nickname of the “fairy-tale king”). The Theatine Church of St. Cajetan of the 17th century is distinguished by its grandiose dimensions (the height of the dome is 71 m.) The Asamkirche church, considered a masterpiece in the late Baroque style, is very beautiful.

Museums

Munich is called the “city of museums”; many of them were founded by Louis I of Bavaria: these are the old and new Pinakothek and Glyptothek.

The Alte Pinakothek is Munich's most visited museum, with a collection of masterpieces by European Old Masters that includes 9,000 paintings by 1,400 artists.

The New Pinakothek was built in the middle of the 19th century by order of Louis I of Bavaria, but was destroyed during the Second World War and restored in the late 70s of the 20th century.

Its halls display about 550 paintings and 50 works of sculpture. The collection covers the period from Rococo to Art Nouveau, as well as Impressionist painting.

The Glyptothek is the oldest of Munich's museums and the first museum in Europe open to the public.

Here are masterpieces of ancient sculpture from the collection collected by Louis I of Bavaria. The gallery of contemporary art is located in the House of Arts. Its collection consists of 400 paintings and sculptures dating from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day, including surrealists, fauvists and cubists. You can't miss works by Klee, Ernst Kirchner, Emil Nolde, August Macke, as well as 14 works by Picasso.

The German Museum is considered one of the largest technical museums in Europe; it is dedicated to natural sciences and technology.

It was founded in 1903. Oscar von Miller.

Estate museums are also interesting. Thus, Villa Lenbach is a museum located in the building of the villa of the artist Franz Lenbach; its collection includes works by artists who were part of the Blue Rider group, incl. and Wassily Kandinsky.

Frescoes and paintings of neo-romanticism and symbolism are exhibited in Villa Stuka.

artist Franz von Stuck.

The Munich Museum is dedicated to the history of this city; there is a wonderful collection of old engravings and models of Munich.

It is also worth visiting the Toy Museum, the German Theater Museum, and the BMW Museum.

Other attractions

The English Park is very beautiful, which is one of the largest city parks in the world - it stretches from the center of Munich to its outskirts along the banks of the river. Izar.

The “Olympic Park” architectural complex in a modern style, built for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, is unique.

The 290-meter tower and the observatory with a glass and metal roof in the form of a huge tent are impressive. There is also a water stadium, an Olympic stadium, an ice skating rink and a velodrome, and on the tower there is a revolving restaurant with an observation deck.

A remarkable architectural monument is Nymphenburg Palace, the former summer residence of the Wittelsbachs. The palace was built by order of Elector Ferdinand Maria in the 17th century in the Baroque style - it is the largest Baroque palace in Germany.

An interesting thing in this palace is the Gallery of Beauties - a hall decorated by order of King Louis I with portraits of the most beautiful ladies. In Nymphenburg Park there are 3 more modest castles (Amalienburg, Badenburg and Pagodenburg) and the Magdalenenklause chapel.

In addition, it is worth seeing with your own eyes the following architectural ensembles: Allianz Arena, Munich Residence, Blutenburg Castle, Maximilianeum, Holnstein Palace.

Sport

There are 2 football teams in Munich: Bayern and Munich 1860.

Bayern is the most popular and titled German football club.

Public transport

The basis of public transport in Munich is a network of fast trains connecting city trains and the subway. There are also bus and tram routes. The fare here is charged not depending on the number of transfers and modes of transport, but on the number of conventional transport zones of the city crossed (there are 4 of them).

Railway connection

Main station

Munich is the second busiest train station in Germany, serving approximately 350,000 passengers per day. Also in Munich there is Ostbahnhof and Munich-Pasing train station.

Air service

Munich New Airport has been operating since 1992 and is the 2nd largest airport in Germany by annual passenger traffic and the 7th in Europe (50 million passengers per year, approximately 90 takeoffs/landings per hour). It is an important home airport for Lufthansa and Star Alliance airlines.

Located in the outskirts of Munich near the town of Freising.

Road transport

Munich has three internal transport rings, and international routes pass through this city.

Traditions and holidays

Munich is famous throughout the world for its brewing traditions. There are 6 large breweries here, and every autumn Munich hosts the Oktoberfest festival, which can be called a beer festival in German folk traditions.

Cities of Germany

Munich is a city at the foot of the Bavarian Alps on the Isar River in southern Germany, the capital of the federal state of Bavaria, the third largest and second most visited city by tourists after Berlin in Germany with a population of more than one and a half million people, about a quarter of whom are natives of other countries.

The government of Bavaria, the government of the Upper Bavaria district and the government of the Munich city district are located in Munich.

Modern Munich is not only a concentration of cultural and museum values, but also a large industrial and research center.

Thanks to famous universities, one of the largest Bavarian State Library in Europe, with 6 million volumes, the Max Planck and Heinz Mayer-Leibniz Institutes, a nuclear research reactor and many other institutions, Munich maintains a strong position in European science. Munich is also rightfully considered the IT capital of Germany.

City `s history

It is officially believed that the city was founded by Duke Henry the Lion in 1158.

In 1180, power over the city passed to the Wittelsbach dynasty. And only in 1505 Munich became the capital of Bavaria. Events in the first half of the 17th century brought an end to the period of prosperity. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and the plague epidemic killed a third of the city's population. At the beginning of the 18th century the city was occupied by Austrian troops. In 1806 Bavaria becomes a kingdom. Under Kings Ludwig I (1825-1848) and Maximilian II (1848-1864), Munich became a cultural center.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, famous for his passion for luxury, reigned from 1864 to 1886.

Many of the city's most beautiful houses date from the reign of these kings. After the First World War the city was gripped by significant political unrest. During these years, National Socialism (Fascism) was founded. In 1923, Hitler and his supporters organized the Beer Hall Putsch, an attempt to overthrow the republic and seize power.

Despite the fiasco, Hitler made Munich the headquarters of the Nazi Party, which in 1933 took control of the German national government.

The Second World War brought devastating damage to the city, much of which was subsequently repaired. In 1973, the capital of Bavaria hosted guests at the Olympic Games, for which the modern Olympic Stadium was built especially.

Sights of Munich

The towers of the Frauenkirche Cathedral, erected in honor of the patron saint of Munich, the Virgin Mary, are considered the symbol of the city.

Marienplatz is the central square of the city, which is proud of the wonderful Town Hall building, a rare clock mechanism with moving figures and a Fischbrunnen fountain.

The tallest (91 m) and oldest cathedral in Munich is St. Peter's Cathedral, from its observation deck there is an excellent view of the Old Town, and the pedestrian zone in the center of Old Munich, loved not only by guests of the city, but also by the Munich residents themselves, is, first of all, , two streets - Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, smoothly flowing into one another.

There are department stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants and wonderful monuments of architecture and art - the Burgersal prayer house, the Jesuit Church of St. Michael, the wonderful fountain "Fountain Boy" and everyone's favorite - the bronze hog (those who want to find their love should scratch the hog behind the ear).

The Asamkirche is not the most famous, but the most magnificent and extraordinary church in Munich - the embodiment of the Rococo style in all its irrepressible riot.

The impressive statue of Bavaria on Theresienwiese's Meadow is rivaled perhaps only by the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Nymphenburg Palace is a beautiful summer residence of the Bavarian kings.

Munich residents are no less proud of it than Parisians are of Versailles, and St. Petersburg residents are proud of Petrodvorets. In the palace park, quite a lot of tame swans swim in the artificial lake.

The architectural ensemble of Königplatz Square is beautiful, thanks to which Munich began to be called “Athens am Isar”. It was created by order of King Ludwig I. Grandiose buildings in the ancient style - the Glyptotek (which houses one of the best collections of sculpture in Europe), the building of the State Antique Collection and the delightful Propylaea.

The Lenbach House was built in the style of an Italian country villa for the then famous artist Franz von Lenbach.

After the artist's death, the house became the property of the city and was turned into an art gallery. The gallery is famous for the works presented here by Kandinsky and the artists of the Blue Rider group he organized.

When is the best time to go to Munich?

The tourist season begins in May and ends in October, when the weather is at its best. At this time, a large number of holidays and folk festivals take place, among them the famous Oktoberfest.

Summer days are sunny and warm, but be prepared for cool, rainy days even in July and August. The winter sports season in the Bavarian Alps runs from mid-December to mid-March, although it can get quite cold at times, especially in January.

Transport

Munich has an excellent integrated transport system (MVV), including the underground (U-Bahn), commuter trains (S-Bahn), trams and buses.

Local passenger transport is the easiest and most convenient way to get to the center and other city attractions. Tickets for all these vehicles are the same. There are a couple of options for tickets on sale, differing in the zones of Munich within which they are valid, in the number of people for which they are valid, and in the duration of validity.

The ticket allows you to use all local modes of transport with the exception of taxis (metro, tram, bus) in Munich and Salzburg, plus the ticket price includes second class train travel to Garmisch-Partenkirche and Salzburg.

The ticket is valid for 24 hours and is designed for 5 people; its approximate cost is 24 euros.

The option of moving around the city by car may seem quite expensive due to high parking costs.

Munich nightlife

Munich is a major performing arts center with a vibrant nightlife scene. The city is home to no less than four leading orchestras plus world-class opera and ballet groups.

A large number of theaters are scattered throughout the city, offering every genre from classics to modern German drama.

Munich's nightlife changes with the weather. When the weather is good and the night is balmy, the beer gardens are filled with hospitality. During the winter months, beer gardens give way to beer halls like the famous Hofbräuhaus. Beer gardens and venues usually empty around midnight, when the club scene starts to pick up steam.

Munich's club scene is very diverse. Based on this, it is not at all difficult to find a club for every taste, from country style to mega techno dance halls.

Many clubs are open until dawn. The districts of Haidhausen and Schwabing, with their cutting-edge clubs and vibrant nightlife, are constantly vying for the best nightlife in the city.

To find out about current events in entertainment and other places worth visiting in Munich, you should go to the tourist office, located right behind the train station (Hauptbahnhof), and purchase a monthly guide (Monatsprogramm) with a detailed program of events for the current month.

Approximate cost -1.50 euros. Unfortunately, the guide is published only in German, but regardless, it can be easy to learn and a very useful tool.

Holidays in Munich

The city's annual calendar is usually full of colorful holidays and festivals.

In February there is a carnival (Fasching) with a 4-6 week whirlpool of colorful parades. The carnival (in March) is followed by the strong beer festival (Starkbierzeit).

Munich is the capital of Bavaria

At the festival, beer with names ending in “ator” (Triumfator, Salvator) is consumed, following a tradition dating back to monastic days. In April, Munich hosts a mini Oktoberfest - a beer festival (Fruhlingsfest) and a mega colorful 8-day flea fair on the last Saturday of April (Maidult), and also takes place at the end of July (Jakobidult) and at the end of October (Herbst Dult).

In June there is an international film festival, not as famous as in Berlin.

but attracting a fairly serious audience. In July there is an opera festival and a fun parade of gays and lesbians with outrageous outfits. The parade is considered one of the largest events in Europe. From September to October, Munich hosts Oktoberfest - the largest collective drinking party on the planet. Millions of people from all over the world come to this beer festival to have fun and enjoy beer, which is undoubtedly the main attribute of the holiday.

Every December there is a traditional Christmas market with stalls selling handicrafts and warming mulled wine.

The huge Christmas tree on Marienplatz, decorated with a great variety of lights, creates a truly magical mood.

But the biggest attraction, without a doubt, is the beer festival called Oktoberfest. This famous event is attended by millions of people from all over the world every year, during which the beer simply flows like a river.

By the way, it is estimated that, on average, about five million liters of beer are consumed during the entire celebration period.

Oktoberfest in Munich

The beer festival, Oktoberfest, is a real mass event on a global scale.

The holiday dates back to October 12, 1810, when Prince Ludwig I (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Theresa of Saxony were married. Residents of Munich were invited to the wedding celebration, which took place in the meadows opposite the city gates. Subsequently, in honor of the princess, these meadows became known as Theresienwiese.

The holiday was organized by Ludwig I in subsequent years, gradually developing into the current Beer Festival - Oktoberfest. Now the holiday runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. The beer festival in Munich is accompanied by many entertainment events, including a procession of people dressed in national Bavarian costumes.

In 1999, Oktoberfest, which took place from September 18 to October 5, was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beer festival in the world.

That year it was visited by 7 million people, who consumed 5.8 million liters of beer in 11 huge tents set up over an area the size of fifty football fields.

Shopping

The pedestrian zone of the historical center of Munich is the main destination for all kinds of shopping.

Most of the different classes of stores from boutiques to huge supermarkets are concentrated here. The entire shopping streets Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauserstrasse stretch from the central railway station (Hauptbahnhof) to Marienplatz and further north to Odeonsplatz.

For even more upscale shopping, head to Maximilianstrasse, where you'll find numerous luxury boutiques and fashion houses that rival those on Fifth Avenue.

For extravagant goods, head to the Schwabing district. The streets Schellingstrasse and Hohenzollernstrasse are home to many quirky shopping galleries and boutiques.

Shops, department stores and supermarkets in the center of Munich are usually open on weekdays from 09.00 to 20.00, on Saturdays from 09.00 to 16.00.

Small shops are open on weekdays from 09.00 - 18.30 with a break for lunch (lunch), on Saturdays from 09.00 - 12.00. Sunday, as a rule, is a day off for all stores.

Cities of Germany

In 1806, Bavaria became a kingdom, and Munich its capital. Under King Maximilian Joseph IV, who supported Napoleon, the territory of Bavaria increased, and the influence of France penetrated into all spheres of life.

King Ludwig I declared that he intended to make the capital of Bavaria such a beautiful city that “no one can say that he knows Germany if he has not seen Munich.” He enriched the city with beautiful buildings in the classical style, the National Opera House and the Prince Charles Palace were built, and the most beautiful museums were founded - the Old and New Pinakothek, Glypotek, and the Museum of Numismatics.

In the revolutionary year of 1848, because of a love affair with the Spanish dancer Lola Montes, Ludwig I was forced to abdicate the throne. His son Maximilian inherited the throne and artistic traditions of his father, decorating Munich with beautiful buildings on Maximilianstrasse, and built the Maximilianeum, where the Bavarian Parliament is now located.

His son Ludwig II did not decorate Munich, but built fairy-tale castles in the Alps - Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herenkiemsee.

He spent all his personal funds and used the treasury on the construction of castles. For this he was deprived of power and a few days after the coup, the “fairy-tale king” Ludwig II died under unclear circumstances. Today, the castles of Ludwig II are the main tourist brand of Bavaria.

Munich, Germany | Munich (München)

In 1886, in the war between Prussia and Austria, Ludwig II took the side of Austria, but Prussia won. As a result, reparations worth 50 million marks were imposed on Bavaria. In 1870, Bavaria again fought against France, but on the side of Prussia and was among the winners. King Ludwig II of Bavaria proposed the formation of the German Empire.

But this idea would be brought to life by Bismarck, and the dreamer king preferred “the divine twilight of sublime mountain loneliness” to state affairs.

In 1918, as a result of revolutionary actions, the Wittelsbach dynasty was overthrown. The royal family fled. From April 13 to May 1, the Bavarian Soviet Republic existed.

On November 8-9, 1923, the “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in Munich, led by Hitler and General Ludendorff. The putsch began in the famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall, then spilled out into the streets and was stopped by police at Odeonplatz. Several police officers were killed and a memorial plaque was erected at Odeonplatz in memory of this event. Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in prison, but he only served 9 months.

In Munich in the early 20s, the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) appeared and the city became the capital of the “Brown Shirts”.

In 1938, the so-called The Munich Agreement was an agreement on the division of Czechoslovakia, which was signed by the heads of government of England, France, Italy and Germany.

At the end of World War II, Munich was subjected to heavy bombing by Allied aircraft. About 80% of the buildings were destroyed, and outstanding architectural structures were damaged.

After the war, the city, like all of Bavaria, entered the American zone of occupation.

In the post-war years, the city quickly recovered and by 1961 it was restored and cleared of ruins.

All the ruins were taken to the outskirts of the city, where the Olympic Park was later built, and a 52 m high mountain with an observation platform was built from the ruins. The restoration of the city from ruins is rightly called the “German miracle.”

In 1972, the XX Summer Olympic Games were held in Munich, for the opening of which an indoor Olympic stadium and many other sports facilities were built in the Oberwiesenfeld district. The first metro and high-speed train lines opened.

But these Olympic Games were overshadowed by the murder of Israeli athletes by Arab terrorists.

Munich today is a huge and beautiful metropolis, with parks and ponds, canals, wide avenues, theaters, concerts and exhibitions. This is a city of high technology and mass media, here are the editorial offices of newspapers, magazines, the Bavaria Film studio, and more than 300 book publishing houses.

The city is visited by about 3 million tourists a year, and this does not include Oktoberfest. According to sociological surveys, Munich is recognized as the best city in Germany.

← Munich attractions

Munich (German: München) is a city on the Isar River in southern Germany, in the federal state of Bavaria. Free City (German: kreisfreie Stadt), which is also the capital of Bavaria.

The population of Munich is 1,394,716 people (2011). Thus, it is the largest city in Bavaria and the third city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg.

The government of Bavaria, the government of the Upper Bavaria region, and the government of the Munich district are located in Munich.

Munich is famous for its brewing traditions. There are many breweries in the city, of which 6 are large, supplying beer to the world famous Oktoberfest (German: Oktoberfest) - a festival of beer, pretzels, fried chicken and carousels, held annually in late September - early October on Theresienwiese Meadow (German: Theresienwiese) .

The central square of the city is Marienplatz, in the area of which many attractions are located, such as the Frauenkirche, the largest church in Munich, which is also a symbol of the city.

Munich's English Park (German: Englischer Garten) is world famous, one of the largest city parks in the world, stretching from the city center to the very outskirts along the Isar.

Lovers of fine art will appreciate the 3 Pinakotheks in Munich: the Old (German: Alte Pinakothek), the New (German: Neue Pinakothek) and the Pinakothek of Modernity (German: Pinakothek der Moderne). In addition, one of the world's largest collections of paintings from the Blue Rider movement is located in the Lenbachhaus (German: Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus). Also very famous is the German Museum (German: Deutsches Museum), one of the largest technical museums in Europe.

The history of Munich begins in the 8th century, when monks from the nearby Tegernsee Monastery settled on Peter's Hill (German: Petersbergl). Today, on the site of the settlement there is the Church of St. Peter (German: Sankt-Peter-Kirche).

The city was first mentioned in documents in 1158 under the name Villa Munichen; however, already in 1175 Munich was given city status and city walls were erected.

In 1240, Munich came into the possession of the Wittelsbach dynasty and after the division of Bavaria in 1255, it was their seat in Upper Bavaria until 1918. With the unification of Bavaria in 1507, Munich became its capital, and in 1806 - the capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria.

On October 17, 1810, on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (future King Ludwig I) and Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghaus, horse racing was held, which marked the beginning of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival.

In 1916, during the First World War, the city was subjected to its first bombing: three French bombs fell on the city.

The post-war period became difficult for Munich: in November 1918, Ludwig III and his family fled the city, and after the assassination of the first republican prime minister of Bavaria, Kurt Eisner, on April 13, 1919, the Bavarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed in Munich (leader Ernst Toller), which on May 3 1919 was defeated by Freikorps detachments. After this, Bavaria became part of the Weimar Republic.

In 1923, the Beer Hall Putsch took place in Munich, when Hitler's supporters attempted a coup; However, then the Weimar Republic survived, and now a memorial plaque on Odeonsplatz (German: Odeonsplatz) reminds of this event. Hitler was arrested (later released early in 1924), and the Nazi party, at that time virtually unknown outside of Munich, was temporarily banned throughout Germany. Despite the events of 1923, Munich continued to remain the capital of the NSDAP.

In 1934, Hitler dealt with his political opponents: according to official data from the Nazi government alone, over 60 people were killed during the Night of the Long Knives (now this figure is considered to be an underestimate). In 1935, Munich received the honorary title of capital of the movement from Hitler.

Munich was the site of the 1938 agreement between Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France (the Czechoslovak government was presented with a fait accompli and accepted capitulation), as a result of which part of the territory of Czechoslovakia passed to Germany, and Hitler gained de facto control over the rest of Czechoslovakia on the condition of non-advancement further. A year later, Georg Elser made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Hitler during the annual message in honor of the anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch.

During World War II, Munich was bombed 71 times and was heavily damaged. During the post-war reconstruction, it was decided to maintain the original street layout.

In 1957, the population of Munich was more than 1 million people.

In 1972, the XX Summer Olympic Games were held in Munich, in preparation for which the city center was reconstructed, an Olympic village and metro were built, and the transport network was significantly expanded. Unfortunately, these games became infamous due to the terrorist attack against the Israeli team.

Since 1962, the International Conference on Politics and Security has been held annually in Munich in the first ten days of February.

The new airport, named after German politician Franz Josef Strauss, opened in 1992 and is Germany's second largest airport.

The basis of public transport in Munich is the fast train network (German: Schnellbahnnetz), consisting of the S-Bahn and the underground (U-Bahn). The S-Bahn network covers almost all areas of Munich radially, connecting in the city center with a tunnel (like the metro, built for the 1972 Olympics). In addition, the city has a developed network of bus and tram routes.

Munich, like most large German cities, forms a single tariff network together with its closest suburbs, while the Munich tariff network is divided into 4 zones and 16 rings. The fare depends, with some exceptions, not on the number of transfers or on the modes of transport used for the trip, but only on the number of zones crossed.

One of the railway directorates of the Deutsche Bundesbahn was located in Munich.

Munich Main Station is the second busiest train station in Germany after Hamburg Main Station, serving 350,000 passengers per day.

If you happen to travel around Germany, then one of your travel destinations will certainly be the capital of Bavaria, the city of Munich. One of the ancient cities of Europe. Located on the Isar River in southern Germany.

Munich, photo mirlos25

Munich dates back to 1158, when the city was first mentioned in historical documents. This date became the starting point for the residents of Munich. The city traces its chronology from there. Although Munich received city status only in 1175. The history of Munich is so rich that more than one work has been written on it. Even listing the main historical events would take more than one hour. Munich then became a duchy, then a federal state.

Even all of Bavaria was breaking up into two states. And Munich itself has always been and remains one of the main cultural, economic and historical cities in Europe. And there were plenty of sad pages in its history. Let us remember that the king of Bavaria was overthrown in Munich Ludwig III and the creation of the Bavarian Republic was announced (in 1918). Then, a new uprising led to the creation of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. Although it didn't last long. And the saddest thing for all Bavarians is that German fascism has raised its head here. It was from the Munich beer hall that Hitler began his bloody march. Munich residents consider this the blackest oxbow in the history of the city.

How to get to Munich

When traveling from Berlin to Munich, I would prefer to travel by high-speed train. But in order to enjoy the trip to the fullest, you need to take a ticket for the train going through Nuremberg. And that's why. From Nuremberg towards Munich, almost half the way, you will fly at a speed of under 300 km/h. A ride on the ground at the speed of a propeller-driven airplane is not even a journey, but an attraction. On the rest of the route, the speed will be between 160-250 km/h. Only in small sections does the train speed drop below 160 km/h.

Sights of Munich

New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), photo Suvad Sulic

Arriving in Munich, the first thing tourists usually do is head to the Old Town, in the very center of which there is a square Marienplatz. The square received its name from the marble figure of the Virgin Mary, who is considered the patroness of the city. Here the central spectacle of the city will open to your eyes - this town hall. Stretching along the square for more than a hundred meters, the entire length of the town hall building is decorated with figures of dukes, kings, and saints. And as a crowning achievement, the main tower is 85 meters high. Here you need to know what time it is advisable to be on the square, near the town hall. There is a city clock on the tower. At eleven in the morning, at noon and at five in the evening, a whole performance unfolds. When the clock strikes, the mechanical figures begin to move, putting on a whole performance. By the way, they look small only due to the height at which the chimes are located. In general, the height of the figures is the height of an adult. So, when you come to Munich, try not to miss this spectacle.

After admiring it, you can head south, towards the cathedral St. Peter's. We will not dwell on the description of cathedrals. Only by seeing these historical monuments with your own eyes can you appreciate them. It is worth adding that the cathedral is the oldest church in the city. It was built back in the 14th century. It's not far from it Church of the Holy Spirit, built around the same time. But it acquired its real appearance after it was rebuilt four centuries later in the Baroque style.

On the other side of the square there are old Isar Gate, with two towers. As you move through the streets around the square, you will see all the most remarkable buildings of the Old Town. You will not be able to pass by the beautiful cathedral Asamkirche. Then you should head to the square Frauenplatz. There is a two-tower building Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It should be noted that this monumental structure, despite its dimensions, was built very quickly. In just 26 years. For the Middle Ages, a very good indicator.

It is impossible to describe all the sights of Munich. But the palace should be added to the list of priority places Erzbischofliches Palais, castle Prizing, Cathedral Frauenkirche. An amazing legend is associated with the latter. Allegedly, Satan himself decided to destroy the cathedral. Still, Frauenkirche survived. All the saints came to his defense. They will even show you the mark left by Satan, from his claws and tail. And whether to believe or not in the veracity of the legend is up to you to decide.

Of course, one cannot ignore such a world-famous attraction as the great Bavarian beer. The most famous beer hall Hofbrauhaus was founded back in the 16th century.

Why not try beer in Munich? Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten, Lowenbrau, Hofbrau and Augustiner, is to commit a crime and offend the residents of the city. But be careful. If you set a goal to try all types of beer in one day, you will end up losing your orientation in space. There are so many of them here that any most experienced lover of a foamy drink can confidently say: “I have tried so few types of beer in my life.” But the greatest freedom comes in time Oktoberfest, the biggest beer festival. If you are a big fan of it, it’s worth going to Munich, at least for this. It's like making a pilgrimage to beer heaven.

Transport in Munich

Let's add a few more words about Munich's public transport. Arriving in the city. You need to clearly define the route of your trip around the city.

The full range of public transport is at your service:

metro,
S-Bahn city trains
tram,
bus.

Payment for transport in Munich differs significantly from ours. There are single tickets, day tickets, with which you can travel all day, and also a ticket for tourists München CityTourCard. Plus, the city is divided into four zones. For example, by purchasing a one-time ticket, you can go there and back. The price depends on how many zones you travel. In general, upon arrival in Munich, try to immediately think about where you want to go and what to see. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Having seen the sights of Munich, and tired of the traffic and the city, visit English park. It starts from the city center and extends to the city outskirts. It is considered the largest urban park in the world. Here you can relax, look at tame swans, and simply admire the beauty of the landscape.

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