There is so much to write, many photographs to post and several anecdotes to share and I have no idea where to begin. I’ve decided to start with the pictures as I collected my thoughts .


Munchen was our last port of halt in Germany .The first big city that we visited . After a long journey from Freiburg , it was midnight when we landed. Tired, sleepy, hungry with a hotel in the outskirts ,we tottered our way through as the rains came tumbling down . Morning brought more rains , but that did not dampen our mood .


We were too early for Oktoberfest , but the festive spirit was already in the air. Munich is a city where even a week is too less to get a feel of the city We had a few hours and we felt that we had just flipped through a book . There was history, art, sports, beer to choose from . We chose history and beer . Armed with a map and an umbrella , off we went to walk down the Middle Ages, to get a glimpse of Bavarian way of life .


We started with Marienplatz or Mary’s Square ,the city centre which dates back to the 12th century . Bordered by the old and new town halls called Altes Rathaus and Neus Rathaus and the Marien’s column in the centre , it was earlier called Schrannen and was once a trade route between countries like Italy and Austria .


We had no tourist guides, nor did we go with any city tour..our doses of history came from local people we met in trains and in hotels and even some on the road who paused to answer most of our queries


In the Middle Ages markets and tournaments were held in this city square. The Glockenspiel in the new city hall was inspired by these tournaments, and draws millions of tourists a year.The “performances” here are quite amazing .


We posed at the Fish Fountain for a picture – I believe this was an erstwhile market and you can get a feel of that today in Viktualienmarkt . Its lively , colourful and full of energy..From ripe red strawberries to bright yellow flowers, this market is a great place to relax. The Frauenkirche or Church of Our Lady is the landmark of Marienplatz, built in the 15th century .Other attractions here are the three city gates, St Peter’s church among other monuments .


Walk further and you come to Odeonplatz . a beautiful square bordered by the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshal’s Hall), the Italianesque Theatinerkirche and the Hofgarten, a former court garden. From this square the Ludwigstrasse – one of Munich’s most monumental streets – leads to the Siegestor, a large triumphal arch.


As we walked towards Hofgarten, looking for the palace, we saw a majestic monument. We stopped by to ask a German how to get to the palace when he smiled at us and said you are right there . We were at the Residenz Palace , home to the Bavarian kings and queens from the 14th century. We were standing at the Festsaalbau , or the banquetting hall .





We were guided to the entrance and the two main areas – the Alte Residenz or the Old Residence and the Konigsbau or the King’s tract . There are 135 ornate rooms here filled with roich taopestry and mirrors , including the bedrooms of the king and queen .My favourites are the Hall of Antiquities where there are frescos from the 16th century and the Ancestor’s Gallery . There is a treasury as well , which has some unique jewellery and gems along with some statues and sculptures .






It was late evening and it was time to gulp down all that history with some refreshing beer . We had heard about a 16th century beer hall which was set up by Duke Wilhelm V to satisfy his thirst , With just a “X” mark on a map, we went looking for it . we lost our way and when we finally did find it – it was almost like discovering a treasure – what a place ! The less said, the better…Im going to leave you with some pictures- too bad we didnt have some music and beer to serve you as well…





26 comments

  1. backpakker 29 September, 2007 at 17:41 Reply

    Thanks Pijush.Munich is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and inspite of the rain , it was amazing.My weekend is just posting all the pics and writing abt it-though I am going to keep it short . when are u bk in india ?

    GMG-Thank you . I didnt miss Hofbrau ..we walked and walked and lost our way trying to find it ..but we did and what a place !!I need to post pics of the Residenz and Hofbrau-also writing about these places …

  2. Cathy 29 September, 2007 at 19:51 Reply

    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog, and I’m really glad I dropped by here!

    I love your photography; your descriptions are sparing and let the photos speak for themselves – yet are so richly evocative of the places.

    What a lovely traveller’s journal!

  3. Caroline B 29 September, 2007 at 20:44 Reply

    Thank you for visiting my blog – do come again!
    What a fabulous blog this is – wonderful photos, made me want to get my suitcase out! I have a very old photo of me on those steps in Munich when we travelled to Greece on the ‘Magic Bus’…

  4. bhuvana 1 October, 2007 at 06:47 Reply

    the photos speak for themselves….. but the text bring them alive further………… keep writing……….. let me live vicariously………………..

  5. backpakker 1 October, 2007 at 11:30 Reply

    Cathy-Thanks for your comment. I try my best to do justice to the places – they are so beautiful..

    Caroline – Memories are beautiful ..maybe you should post the picture and recapture the magical moments ..thanks for your comment

    Bhuvana – I think you should travel to experience it yourself ..thanks for your words .

  6. Priyank 1 October, 2007 at 19:10 Reply

    This post gives the “wow” feeling! So nice to see Gothic architecture and yes it looks great even in rain. There is a little Oktoberfest happening here in Toronto and I’m goin to check it out:)

  7. backpakker 2 October, 2007 at 12:00 Reply

    Aditi – welcome to backpakker and thanks for the comment . Ive tried my best to capture whatever I saw and felt as well !

    Priyank – Thank you . The “wow” goes to Gothic architecture as you rightly pointed out and to Germans for preserving their heritage . Have fun at Oktoberfest.

    N – I try but I am never satiated …a vagabond needs to go on and on .I am bored now that I am at home 🙁
    thanks for coming over.

    Dintoons – whats life without adventures ! I dont party , but this is my way of enjoying life !thanks for dropping by

  8. dintoons 2 October, 2007 at 15:52 Reply

    you sure are blessed! travel on my friend!!
    as for the rest of us, we have to make do with our (inspired)imaginations… which is also a most fantastic way to travel! and looking at your gorgeous photos of amazing places definitely helps spark off many a joyful adventure in one’s own inner world ^.^

    cheers!

  9. backpakker 3 October, 2007 at 10:30 Reply

    Thanks Dintoons . There is nothing like imagination for inspiration and thats a journey as well, only that its infinite and the destination depends on the mind . If you are into poetry, Keats calls it the “viewless wings of Poesy” where his imagination takes him to a different world on listening to a nightingale .

  10. indicaspecies 3 October, 2007 at 16:14 Reply

    Wow – Germany!

    Splendid pictures including the gilded ones towards the end here. I love what you have captured of nature in the land of Grimm Brothers too. You’ve had a wonderful time and thanks for sharing that with us. 🙂

  11. backpakker 3 October, 2007 at 23:23 Reply

    Smita-thanks . Munich was my favourite and I went on a clicking spree . By the way, did you get the information on sikkim ? Any more help you need, let me know

    Indicaspecies – Thanks ..I think thats the best thing about blogging – that you can share your thoughts with people and vice versa . Those gilded pictures are my favourites too..

    Prabha-welcome to backpakker. thanks .

  12. Kalyan 4 October, 2007 at 07:59 Reply

    WoW…some beautifully captured shots. I just want to get lost in the festive spirit there, although here also it is coming soon. Your Pics really speaks and this is really a dream of a place…lovely!

  13. backpakker 6 October, 2007 at 11:19 Reply

    SK – Thanks ..Ive been dreaming and planning this trip for many years ..the beauty of these places have been maintained ..our country is no less beautiful, but its unfortunate that we dont care about it .Hope you had a great trip to Goa

  14. Sivaram Kannan 7 October, 2007 at 23:36 Reply

    hey, nice of you remember my Goa trip. The trip to Goa was like a dream. It was a trip in the making for 5 years and it finally happened. Will post some photos and let you know.

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