Munich, Germany a beautiful city, well presented and orderly. One is struck by affluence, quality and the warmth and friendliness of the people. Rich in history, destroyed by fire, plague and the ravages of war over the centuries, Munich has endured and thrived within the enfolds of the stunning Bavaria region of Germany.
Marienplatz, the city’s focal point is dominated by the New Town Hall, Neues Rathaus. The monumental, 79 meters high town hall was built between 1867 and 1909 by Georg Joseph Hauberrisser in Flemish, Gothic style to alleviate the overcrowded Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) nearby.
The original town hall Altes Rathaus was completely destroyed by fire in 1460. Between 1470 and 1480, it was rebuilt but was destroyed again during the Second World War. Incredibly it was reconstructed once again after the war, following the original 15th century plans!
Cheese sellers at Viktualienmarkt
![Cheese sellers at Viktualienmarkt, Munich](https://shuttersandsunflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Cheese-sellers-at-the-Munich-Market.jpg)
The Viktualienmarkt Meat stalls
German sausages at Viktualienmarkt
Easter ‘for sale’ at Viktualienmarkt!
Pussy Willow ~ enticing big bundles and carefully crafted into wreaths of all sizes ~ if only I hadn’t had a plane to catch!
By the side of the Viktualienmarkt is the oldest church in Munich, Helilig Geist Kirche. It dates from the 13th century, when a hospice and a Romanesque chapel stood on its site After a fire destroyed them in 1327 a new hospice was built and the chapel was replaced with a Gothic church. In 1806 the hospice was torn down to make room for the Viktualienmarkt.
Helilig Geist Kirche
Max Joseph Platz
In the 1820s, King Ludwig I ordered his court architect, Von Klenze, to create another grand square, near the Residenz Palace. Grand buildings were constructed, along the north side a new annex for the Residenz, the Königsbau. On the east side he rebuilt the opera house and added a monumental neoclassical façade. On the south side von Klenze erected the Törring-Jettenbach Palace, now the Palais an der Opera.
There is much more to see, many more squares and historic buildings, the BMW factory and museum, palaces, restaurants and gardens, stunning Bavarian countryside and of course lots of beer, especially in October, we will return!!
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