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| City Guide - Munich - Key Attractions | ||
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Key Attractions Around Marienplatz Marienplatz has been at the heart of Munich since the city's foundation in 1158 and is now a major hub for the urban transport network. For centuries it was known as the Schrannenmarkt - the place where farmers and merchants came to buy and sell their goods - but was renamed in 1854 after the statue of the Virgin Mary in the centre. The north side is entirely dominated by the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), built in the nineteenth century. Miniature statues of Bavarian rulers and other characters adorn the hall's façade. The 85m (279ft) tower houses a Glockenspiel consisting of 43 bells. At 1100, 1200, 1700 and 2100 daily (1100 and 1200 only, in winter), the bells are accompanied by mechanical marionettes that perform scenes from Munich's history. Visitors can also ascend the tower by lift Monday to Friday 0900-1900 and Saturday and Sunday 1000-1900. Admission is DM3. Nearby, other buildings of note include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) - which houses a delightful toy museum (tel: (089) 294 001) open daily 1000-1730 (admission: DM5), and the Frauenkirche - Munich's cathedral. Built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries on the site of the Romanesque Marienkirche, the cathedral houses the tomb of Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and the legendary 'Devil's Footprint' intriguingly embedded in the church floor. Transport: U-Bahn/S-Bahn Marienplatz. Münchener Residenz The Munich Residence embodies over 600 years of Bavarian history. Successive members of the Wittelsbach dynasty expanded the original fourteenth-century castle to create a complex of palaces around seven courtyards. The elaborate rooms contain antiques, sculptures, paintings and tapestries amassed by the Wittelsbachs between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Other royal treasures are on show in the Schatzkammer (Treasury). The entire Residenz complex, including the Rococo Cuvilliés-Theater, was rebuilt and restored after being reduced to rubble during World War II. Max-Joseph-Platz 3 Tel: (089) 290 671. Fax: (089) 2906 7225. Transport: U-Bahn Odeonsplatz or tram 19. Opening hours: (museum and treasury) daily 1000-1600 with guided tours at 1000 and 1230; (Cuvilliés-Theater) Mon-Sat 1400-1700 and Sun 1000-1700. Admission: (museum or treasury) DM7; (combined ticket) DM12; (Cuvilliés-Theater) DM3. The Three Pinakotheks The Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek), constructed in the nineteenth century for King Ludwig I, is home to one of the world's oldest and most important collections of paintings by European Old Masters, including Dürer, Raphael, Rembrandt and Rubens. There are free guided tours of parts of the gallery at on Thursday 1830 and 2000. The Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek), now located in a modern building next door, was conceived by Ludwig I as a showcase for contemporary art. The museum houses European painting and sculpture from the second half of the eighteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. German painting of the nineteenth century forms the core of the collection. There is a free guided tour of part of the collection on Thursday at 1830 and 2000. The Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinakothek of Modern Art) is a collection of contemporary art and design, taken from disparate collections throughout the city to complement the works housed in the first two galleries. The Glyptothek (ancient Greek art) and the Antikensammlung (antiquities) are located at nearby Königsplatz. Barer Strasse 27 & 29 Tel: (089) 2380 5216 (Alte Pinakothek) or (089) 2380 5195 (Neue Pinakothek). Fax: (089) 2380 5221. Transport: U-Bahn Königsplatz; or tram 27; or bus 53. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (Alte Pinakothek closed Mon; Neue Pinakothek closed Tues; both open Thurs until 2200). Admission: DM7 for each Pinakothek (concessions available). Deutsches Museum von Meisterwerken der Naturwissenschaft und Technik (German Museum of Masterpieces of Natural Sciences and Technology) The vast Deutsches Museum comprises a dauntingly comprehensive survey of science and technology from prehistoric tools to space-age inventions. Permanent interactive exhibitions are organised around various themes, including Aerospace, Computers, Mining, Technical Toys and Telecommunications. Next door, the Forum der Technik (Technology Forum) houses a planetarium and an IMAX theatre. Flugwerft Schleissheim (Schleissheim Aerodrome), located at Germany's oldest aerodrome (Effnerstrasse 18, Schleissheim), is a branch of the museum focusing on aviation history. Museumsinsel 1 Tel: (089) 21791 or 217 9433 (recorded information) or 217 9252 (Tours Office) or 315 7140 (Flugwerft Schleissheim). Fax: (089) 217 9324. E-mail: Deutsches.Museum@extern.lrz-muenchen.de Website: www.deutsches-museum.de Transport: S-Bahn Isartor or U-Bahn Fraunhoferstrasse; or tram 18. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: DM12 plus DM3 for the Planetarium (concessions available); (Flugwerft Schleissheim) DM5. A Kombi-ticket for all three costs DM14. Tours in English cost DM140 and should be booked at least two weeks in advance. Apply in writing via fax or e-mail. Olympia Park The complex was laid out in 1972 for the 20th Olympic Games and covers an area of 270 hectares (667 acres). At its heart is the giant tent-like structure of the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium), which hosts national and international sporting events and concerts. The Olympiaturm (television tower) soars 290 metres (950ft) above the park, offering magnificent views from its revolving restaurant and observation terrace. The tower is open daily 0900-0000 and the lift costs DM5. A hybrid of a museum, an amusement arcade and a theme park, Olympic Spirit is the latest attraction in the Park. Its interactive exhibition centre includes high-tech simulators and virtual reality equipment. Tel: (089) 3063 8626. Fax: (089) 3063 8614. Website: www.olympicspirit.de Transport: U-Bahn Olympiazentrum; or tram 20 or 21. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1900. Admission: DM24 includes all nine main attractions and the Action Cinema (concessions available). Englischer Garten The English Garden is the largest urban park in Germany, a quiet oasis in the heart of busy Munich. Attractions include the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) with its great beer garden, the Japanisches Teehaus (Japanese Teahouse) and the Monopteros, a Greek-style temple. The Kleinhesselhoher See, a lake in the centre of the park, and the Amphitheater, offer lots of activities in the summer months. The Haus der Kunst, home of the State Gallery of Modern Art (tel: (089) 2112 7137), and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum; tel: (089) 211 2401) are located on Prinzregentenstrasse on the southern edge of the park. Transport: U-Bahn Universität, Giselastrasse or Münchener Freiheit. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. BMW Building To place the famous car company BMW in an over-dimensional four-cylinder-engine was the original idea of the Viennese architect K. Schwanzer. The world's biggest "V4" in the shape of a four-leaf clover was erected in 1973 and accommodates modern offices. The unusual building consists of the four silver towers, flat factory halls below and a giant "egg cup" at the end of the halls which houses the BMW museum. The exhibition shows classic old-timers as well as the latest, technically up-to-date models of the prestigious German car producer. Extraordinary remainders of the automobile history combine nostalgia with a vision of the future. The highlight of the museum is the spectacular cinemascope show at the end of the tour that not only impresses adults but is also suitable for children. Tel: (089) 3822 5652. Transport: U-Bahn Petuelring (U2 or U3 direction Olympiazentrum). Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: DM5.50 (adults); DM2.50 (children up to 6 years). Schloss Nymphenburg Located on the western edge of the city, the Nymphenburg Palace was built as the summer residence of the Wittelsbach family. Its stunning symmetrical layout and the beautiful surrounding parkland was created in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Highlights within the main palace include the late-Rococo Steinerner Saal (Hall of Stone) and the 'Gallery of Beauties' - a collection of portraits of beautiful women commissioned by Ludwig I. The extensive grounds conceal four miniature palaces within their landscaped confines, one of which, the Amalienburg, is considered the most attractive Rococo palace in Germany. The Nymphenburg complex also includes the Marstallmuseum, which houses royal coaches and riding equipment. The Bäuml Collection of Nymphenburg porcelain includes exhibits from 1747 until the 1920s. Tel: (089) 179 080. Fax: (089) 1790 8154. Transport: Tram 17; or bus 41. Opening hours: Apr-Oct 0900-1800; Nov-Mar 1000-1600. Admission: DM7 (Nymphenburg Palace only); DM15 (combined ticket for all buildings). |
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