Munich Germany, the world city with a heart

Photographs from the 2009 Munich Oktoberfest. The largest
people (Volksfest) festival in the world.

Frauenkirche (Munich Cathedral)

The twin onion- domed spires of Munich's late Gothic cathedral are one of the well known symbols of the city. The cathedral was designed by Joerg von Halspach and built between 1468 and 1488. The towers where finished in 1524. Many treasure are inside the Munich church including stained glass from the 14th and 15th century. The choir sits among carved wooden busts of prophets and saints which were carved in 1502.

The Devil's footprint

A celebrated fable relates that the cathedral architect made a pact with the devil, who supplied funds on condition that the building would have no visible windows. On completing his work, the architect took the devil to a point where no window was in view. The devil stamped his foot in rage and departed, leaving the mark you can see to this day. 

A new interactive map of Munich has been added. This has directions and places to visit and things to do in downtown Munich.

The Munich Town Hall called the Rathaus), a neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus was constructed between 1867- 1908 and houses the world famous Glockenspiel. The 43 bells play a 15 minute carillon at 11.00am and between May and October 12.00am and at 5pm. The 32 mechanical figures of musicians, knights etc re-enact the marriage festivities of the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renate von Lothringen in 1568.

The Coopers dance, which follows was first performed in 1517 as a way of averting the Pest (plague). The 85m high tower is open to visitors and has the Münchner Kindl on the top. The marble column in the centre was erected by Maximilian 1 in 1638 and is topped by a Hubert Gerhard sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

The tower at the end of Marienplatz is now a toy museum but was originally part of the Altes Rathaus (Old Town hall) which is next door. The archway leads towards Isartor. The 1345 building was completely rebuilt after the damage suffered in the second world war.

More information on the Munich City Guide website

The following is an English translation of the
Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law) adopted in 1516, the oldest provision still enforced to protect the consumer. This is taken from the article "History of German Brewing" by Karl J. Eden, published in 'zymurgy' magazine, Vol. 16, No. 4 Special 1993.
All Munich beer is brewed to this standard.If you like German beer, check out the Munich Breweries

"We hereby proclaim and decree, by Authority of our Province, that henceforth in the Duchy of Bavaria, in the country as well as in the cities and marketplaces, the following rules apply to the sale of beer:

"From Michaelmas to Georgi, the price for one Mass [Bavarian Liter 1,069] or one Kopf [bowl-shaped container for fluids, not quite one Mass], is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and

"From Georgi to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not more than three Heller [Heller usually one-half Pfennig].

"If this not be adhered to, the punishment stated below shall be administered.

"Should any person brew, or otherwise have, other beer than March beer, it is not to be sold any higher than one Pfennig per Mass.

"Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be Barley, Hops,Yeast and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the Court authorities confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail.

"Should, however, an innkeeper in the country, city or markets buy two or three pails of beer (containing 60 Mass) and sell it again to the common peasantry, he alone shall be permitted to charge one Heller more for the Mass of the Kopf, than mentioned above. Furthermore, should there arise a scarcity and subsequent price increase of the barley (also considering that the times of harvest differ, due to location), We, the Bavarian Duchy, shall have the right to order curtailments for the good of all concerned."