Munich History

Munich, the third largest city in Germany, is the capital city of the state of Bavaria. Well know for its architecture and culture, the city also boasts of an efficient and modern transport system. The interesting landmarks in Munich include art galleries, numerous museums, historical buildings and concert halls.

In the year 1158, Henry the Lion, duke of Bavaria and Saxony founded the city of Munich near a settlement known as Munichen. Later in 1255m the Wittelbach family chose the place as their residence. Thereafter, in 1506, it became the capital of dukedom.

Munich was occupied by Gustavus II of S

weden in 1632 during the thirty years war. Munich was made the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria in 1806. Thereafter, under the reign of Louis I (1825–48), Maximilian II (1848–64), and Louis II (1864–86), the city became an artistic and cultural center which later on helped a great deal in the development of the German paintings of 19th and 20th century.

One of the largest museums of Europe is Alte Pinakothek which is home to a huge collection of paintings approximately around 800 of them painted by various European painters from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. The 19th century sculptures and paintings can be seen in the Neue Pinakothek museum. The collection includes masterpieces from French Impressionists and German Romantics.

Another well-known landmark in Munich is the Olympic Park which was specially built for the Olympic Games held in 1972. It boasts of a tent-roof covering over 75,000 square meters. This specially designed park contains many facilities related to sport such as bicycle paths, lakes, concert venues, football stadiums and restaurants. Across the street you will notice the BMW museum that was constructed next to the company’s headquarters in the shape of a four-cylinder engine.