Snow-covered Alps, Oktoberfest with hectolitres of beer in litre mugs, smiling Germans in leather pants, lederhosen, green vests and caps with feathers. When we think of Germany often, this is the image that comes to mind. What we see though is not Germany, it is Bavaria! When it comes to popularity, it definitely wins the race with the rest of the country! Munich, being the capital of this richest German state, with its grand Catholic churches, palaces, huge automobile industry, gigantic breweries and the Bayern Munich football team can be considered the quintessence of all of Germany.
But Munich is also the place where the darkest chapter of German history began. It was here that the young Austrian Adolf Hitler attempted to seize power in the country by force during the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, for which he ended up behind bars. It is where he wrote his “Mein Kampf”, the book that was the basis for the criminal Nazi ideology. It was also the birthplace of the NSDAP, which eventually seized power throughout the country and, with Adolf Hitler at its head, led to World War II…
During our tour we will talk about both the light and dark pages of German history. We will learn about the history of Bavaria from the Roman beginnings of the city, through 700 years during which it was ruled by one powerful family, the Wittelsbachs, to the unification of Germany by Bismarck in the 19th century. We will see the places where Nazism was born, but also those where Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, worked while still an archbishop. We will also see, perhaps the most disappointing attraction of the city – a show of knightly figure fights in the city’s carillon.
Take a walk with us and get to know a city that combines like no other seemingly contradictory fields: history and motoring, art and technology, entrepreneurship and a specific lifestyle of Munich people, which is a mixture of self-confidence, freedom and cheerfulness. Perhaps all these contradictions are seamlessly united by what is most important to Munich people… beer!
During the tour we will see:
- Marienplatz with its New and Old Town Hall
- the city’s cathedral Frauenkirche
- Odeonsplatz
- National Theater and State Opera
- Max Joseph Platz and the residence of Bavarian kings
- and much more!
After visiting Munich do check our tours in other German cities: Berlin and Dresden!
