Munich - Beer Gardens at the Foot of the Alps (Flying Business Travel Series)

Author: Li Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Munich (Muenchen) is the capital of Bavaria (Bayern), Germany's third-largest city, with a population of about 1.25 million. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Bavaria. Bavaria is located in southern Germany, bordering the Czech Republic to the east and Austria to the south. To the west, it faces Switzerland across Lake Constance (Bodensee). The Alps (Alpen), spanning the central part of Europe, form part of the natural border, while glacial valleys left by the Ice Age have created numerous lakes. The landscape of mountains and water is breathtaking, making it one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Bavaria is a state within the German federal system, also known as a Free State (Freistaat), which strives to retain political and cultural autonomy. No other state in Germany values tradition as much as Bavaria. The northern part of Bavaria is predominantly Protestant, while the southern region, influenced by Italian culture, is predominantly Catholic. Their language, customs, and national character differ greatly from those of northern Germans, a result of different historical backgrounds and ethnicities. Archaeological findings show that settlements existed as early as around 4000 BCE, with numerous residential areas appearing during the Bronze Age (3000–2000 BCE). Around 500 BCE, the legendary Celts (Kelten) began to live here, though no one knows where they originally came from. In 15 BCE, the Romans crossed the Alps, occupied the Celtic region, and advanced northward to the Danube River basin, building the famous Limes (border wall) between the Rhine and Danube rivers. Roman rule lasted until 400 CE. In 476 CE, the Germanic tribes broke through the Roman defenses and occupied the northern foothills of the Alps. Who were the ancestors of the Bavarians? This remains unconfirmed. Historians speculate that they may have been the Baiuwarii, a people who appeared in the southern Danube region around 450–550 CE and were called Baiuwarii by the Romans. They originated from the present-day Czech region and were a mixed-race people of Celts, Romans, and Germanics. Initially, they were pagans but began converting to Christianity in the 7th century. By the 6th century, the dukes of Bavaria had already established dominance in their region. As the church's influence grew, religious buildings such as monasteries, cathedrals, and chapels were built, and markets formed around them, eventually developing into cities like Munich. On the other hand, princes and nobles built castles, palaces, and entertainment venues on their lands, leading to the formation of new cities. Due to their shared Catholic faith, Bavaria has had a close relationship with Italy throughout history. Later, through political marriages, it allied with France to fight against the "industrialized" Prussians in northern Germany. Art from Italy and France played a significant role in shaping Bavaria's own artistic development. In Bavaria, one can see medieval and modern streets, castles, churches, and artworks in various styles: rustic Romanesque (Romanik), towering Gothic (Gotik), majestic Renaissance, opulent Baroque (Barock), Rococo (Rokoko), dignified Classicism (Klassizismus), and futuristic modern architecture. Munich boasts Germany's and Europe's most famous Royal Old and New Painting Collections (Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek), as well as countless museums and galleries. Before World War II, Bavaria was primarily an agricultural and handicraft-based region, with its industry, energy, transportation, finance, and research far inferior to the heavy industrial north of Germany, making its economy relatively underdeveloped. After the war, Bavaria seized the opportunity of Germany's economic boom by heavily investing in high-tech, environmentally friendly industries such as electronics, research, automotive manufacturing, energy development, and tourism, achieving remarkable success in transforming its economic structure. In addition to maintaining the world's largest hops cultivation base in agriculture, today, Bavaria is Germany's wealthiest and most economically developed region, home to many world-renowned companies such as Audi (Audi), BMW, and Siemens. Over the past 15 years, Bavaria has invested heavily in future-oriented genetic engineering, with its research and human resources leading the field in Germany. The region boasts natural beauty, with lakes, mountains, blue skies, white clouds, and endless pastoral scenery. It is a place of vibrant spring flowers, passionate summers, enchanting autumn hues, and snowy winters, embodying the charm of a northern landscape. When visiting Bavaria, in addition to enjoying the natural scenery and experiencing the European artistic atmosphere, one must drink a stein of the world-famous Bavarian beer in an open-air beer garden under chestnut trees and savor local delicacies. A stein of beer here is not just a drink but represents a way of life. If you visit Munich in late September or early October, you can experience the grandeur of Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival. Munich, the capital of Bavaria and Germany's third-largest city with a population of about 1.25 million, is located in the plain of the northern foothills of the Alps. It has been called the "Athens on the Isar River," a city full of life, a million-person village, a fiery world metropolis, a blue-and-white metropolis, Germany's uncrowned capital, an Olympic city, and Germany's southernmost Italian city, among other names. It is a city of unique charm, some say it is conservative, others say it is open, some love its beer halls, others cherish its nightlife, some find it rustic, while others see it as both modern and welcoming. Some can't stand the behavior of the people of Munich, while others feel at home the moment they arrive and never want to leave... It is like a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colors, where everyone can find their own space to express their inner feelings. It is like a vast stage backdrop, allowing people to decorate and showcase themselves, attracting attention. High culture and popular culture coexist harmoniously, just as a luxurious Rococo building can also feature frescoes depicting rural life. The people of Munich are Catholic, and they have built a city that seems to belong only to sunny days. On rainy days, the old town without green trees can feel oppressive and melancholic, but as soon as the sun comes out, the entire city's atmosphere changes instantly, brightening to the point where it feels as if one might melt into the air. No German city has a more relaxed atmosphere than Munich, where time seems to flow slowly on the open terraces of beer houses and restaurants. The cafes are always filled with seemingly idle people. Munich has more publishers than any other city in Germany, ranking second in the world after New York. The city is filled with a sense of culture and art, where even a cup of coffee or a stein of fresh beer can inspire creativity. Munich has the highest rate of singles among German cities, perhaps because the people who live there are more willing to enjoy love and their own independence. The abundance of leisure-time entertainment activities provides people with more opportunities to pass the time, preventing boredom and loneliness. In the past, the Bavarian kings were passionate about art, and Ludwig II (reigned 1864–1886) was particularly fond of palaces more than the throne. He was later deposed and mysteriously drowned in Lake Starnberg (Starnberger See) in the south of Munich. Thanks to the rich art collections and numerous museums built by the Bavarian kings, Munich has become a well-deserved cultural capital. After World War II, when West Berlin was besieged, large sums of money flowed into Munich, and many major companies relocated there. Students, artists, free-spirited musicians, and workers from other regions flocked to the city, fully enjoying its freedom and transforming it into an increasingly prosperous and metropolitan place. The wealth of royal art collections, the creative minds, and the people's love and generosity for art have earned Munich the reputation of being a European art city. Let us carry the curiosity of a child and bask in the warm sunshine of Central Europe as we set off! Munich, the "Athens on the Isar River," Germany's uncrowned capital, the city with the most abundant museums, the most developed high-tech and media center, with natural environment, a gathering of talents, timeless daily customs, and the grandeur of a big city and the charm of the countryside. Picturesque suburbs, diverse architectural masterpieces, the legend of Neuschwanstein Castle, and the grandeur of the world's largest beer festival await you to experience. This book provides detailed information and rich content, bringing the vibrant life scenes and famous attractions of the cities in southern Germany's Alps to life in the readers' eyes.