A week in Munich and Augsburg, Germany

Cultural reflection paper

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Munich – Augsburg

Time Place Eating TransportDay 1 – 22nd September

Morning - Airport- Check-in and rest

Hotel (breakfast) Train Bayern tickert

Afternoon and Night

Old Town Munich Walk - Marienplatz- Munich Residenz- St Peter’s Church

Hofbrauhaus

Day 2 – 23rd September

Morning - English Garden walking tour

Beer garden Train

Afternoon - Alte Pinakothek Augustine beer garden

Day 3 – 24th September

Whole day Day trip to Neuchwanstein Castle,

Fussen

Train

Day 4 – 25th September

Whole day Oktoberfest Train Day 5 – 26th September

Morning - Check-out - Travel to

Augsburg

Hotel (Breakfast) Train

Afternoon and Night

- Maximilianstraße Perlact Acht (Dinner)

Day 6 – 27th September

Morning - Fuggerei- Proviantbach

Hotel (Breakfast)Brauhaus 1516

(Lunch)

Train

Afternoon and Night

- Shopping Ratskeller (Dinner)

Day 7 – 28th September

Morning - Perlach Tower - Saint Anna

Church

Hotel (Breakfast)Red Rooster Restaurant

(Lunch)

Train

Afternoon - Check-out- Travel back to

Munich

Introduction

It has always been my dream to once set foot on Germany, the nation of the Grimm

brothers, Franz Kafka, football, sausages and Adolf Hitler (of course). Germany has

never failed to initiate my curiosity due to its rich history, plus a reputation for

punctuality, straightforwardness, coldness and somehow arrogance of the people. As a

country with great size, there sure to be plenty of places for me to visit. When I asked

my German friend which is the place that I must definitely visit, he, without hesitation,

suggested Munich and Augsburg to me. Munich is known as the third largest city in

Germany, the second most popular destination after Berlin, also home to the celebrated

Oktoberfest; and Augsburg is a small city just about 30 minutes by train outside

Munich.

This paper is a brief research into these two famous cities in Germany regarding

their history, tourist attrations, and cuisine. Beginning with an overview of the

establishment of the two destinations, I will continue to discuss the famous attractions I

intended to visit along with some outstanding cuisine aspect of the areas.

History

Munich – the capital of the state of Bavaria, lies near the foot of the German Alps,

often refers to as the third largest city in Germany (see map in Appendix A). The city

was originally established in 1158 by Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony and of Bavaria

near a settlement built during Carolingian times. The name Munich, or München in

German was derived from a native phrase “Bei den Monchen” , meaning “among the

monks” (Discover Munich, 2019).

In the 19th century, under the influence of the Bavarian kings, Munich became a

center of art and culture, “playing a leading role in the development of 19th and 20th

German painting” (“Discover Munich”, 2019)

Munich is the witness to several important historical events in German history,

especially in the 20th century, when the National Socialism (Nazism) was founded by

Adolf Hitler despite great opposition. Later on Munich was made the headquarter of

the Nazi party, which later took control of the German national government.

Today, Munich has undergone great transformation and development and is

regarded as Germany's third largest city. Together with Frankfurt, it is the most

important business city in Germany and it remains one of Europe's most important

centers of arts, science, learning and sports (Hermansdorfer, n.d.).

Augsburg was founded in 15 B.C. as a Roman colony, by the famous Caesar

Augustus under the name “Augusta Vindeicorum”. It was not until the 13th century

that Augsburg became a free imperial city officially and joined the Swabian league

(Encyclopedia Britannia, 2019). The 15th and 16th century marked a notable

development of Augsburg as a “major European banking and commercial center”,

which was primarily attributable to the Welser and Fugger merchant families (History

of Augsburg, 2019). During the next two centuries, Augsburg enjoyed a period referred

to as “the golden age”. The city became the center of art, excelling in works of

silversmiths, printers and scientific equipment (History of Augsburg, 2019).

Nowadays, Augsburg is Bavaria’s third largest city with a population of approximately

270,000 and has developed into a significant center for industry in Bavaria.

Tourism highlights

-Munich-

Munich is much known for its breweries, unique churches and museums; therefore,

there are a myriad of places to explore while residing in this city. However, I will only

cover the sites that I find most suitable for my taste and preference.

Old Town Munich – Munich’s Altstadt

Located in the centre of Munich, this long established venue is said to be suitable

for a walking day tour due to its small size and a variety of historical sites available

(see map of the Old Town in Appendix A). The Altstadt is Munich’s heart, from which

the city gradually expanded and became developed as it is at present. According to

bigboytravel (2019), “early-day Munich” was restricted to a 1 square mile area

surrounded by a gated Medieval wall. It was during the 1300s that Old Town Munich

was enlarged both in terms of both size and economy. It quickly gained quite a

reputation for its beauty, rich culture and history. During World War 2 the area was

seriously damaged by bombing; however, it went under tremendous reconstruction and

restored itself as a must-see place for any tourists who aspire to have a glimpse of

Munich’ s early days. “Old Town Munich has a ton of great attractions and an

unbeatable atmosphere to keep you coming back again and again” (bigboytravel,

2019). Several of these wonderful sites will be mentioned below.

Marienplatz (Mary’s Square)

The first sight to visit in Old Town Munich, for me, is definitely Marienplatz, or

Mary’s Square. This place has been recognized as Munich’s central plaza since 1158

(Cichaowicz, 2016) as it was originally a market place where farmers and artisans

gathered for trading products. Not until 1638 had the square gained the present name

“Marienplatz”, owing to the construction of the Mariensäule (Mary’s Column), a

symbol of Munich’ s gratitude to Sweden. Nowadays, the square became a tourist

magnet for its “memorable sites, historical significance, shops and restaurants”

(Cichaowicz, 2016). It is no exaggeration to say that a trip to Munich is incomplete

without a stroll along Marienplatz, a spot that has served as the heart of the city for

nearly a millennium. Beside being the venue for several shopping avenues like the

popular Christmas markets, Marienplatz is surrounded by a great many of historic

buildings: halls, churches, fountains and towers.

Munich Residenz

The former royal palace for residence and government control of the Wittelsbach

dynasty, the rulers of Bavaria since 1385, Munich Residenz is now known as “one of

the largest museum complexes in Bavaria”. Under the influence of its builders and

rulers, the Wittelsbach dynasty, the architecture and interior design of the residence are

representative of different periods from the Renaissance, early Baroque, Rococo to the

neoclassical era.

Furthermore, the Residence possesses a number of museums and monuments

preserved by the Bavarian Administration of State-owned Palaces, Gardens and Lakes

(the Residenz Museum itself, the Treasury, the Cuvilliés-Theater and the Allerheiligen-

Hofkirche) along with other cultural institutions (residenz-muenchen, n.d.)

Hofbrauhaus Beer Garden – The Royal Court Brew House

Beside museums, churches and art, Munich is extremely reputed for its breweries;

therefore, tourists must definitely pay a visit to Hofbrauhaus, often recognized as the

most popular beer hall of the city (bigboytravel, 2019). The beer hall was established

by Duke Wilhelm V in 1589 to reduce the cost of shipping beer from Hanover city.

From the 16th to the 18th century, the place was reserved solely for the Royal family and

their distinguished guests. Hofbrauhaus officially became a public place in 1828, under

the allowance of King Ludwig I. Nowadays, tourists from all corners of the world flock

to this tavern to enjoy its excellent party atmosphere, amazing traditional

performances, scrumptious dishes and of course the freshly-brewed Bavarian beer. The

3-storey beer hall offers its visitors plenty of choices of where to enjoy their beer. Its

ground floor, called Schwemme (see Appendix A), contains over a thousand open seats

where strangers can join for “a stein of the Hofbrauhaus’ fine brew and a chance to

hear traditional German oom-pah music” (aviewoncities, 2019). Upstairs is the main

floor, also the most festive area with an open-air beer garden containing over 400 seats

under the chestnut trees, satisfying the need for fresh air and a view of the Old Town.

The upper floor of the complex houses the historic Festive Hall (see Appendix A)

where the traditional performances (Bavarian dance show, music and folklore) are held

almost every night.

The Englishcher Garten – The English Garden

Located in the center of Munich, The English Garden is recognized as one of the

largest urban parks in the world, with the total size of 3.7 km square (germanculture,

2019). The name “English Garden” refers to the informal landscape style popular in

Britain between the 18th and 19th century (see Appendix A). It was constructed in

1789 by Sir Benjamin Thompson, the chief military aide and later war minister of

Bavarian, as an part of the military reforms effort. Specifically, the park was

constructed to provide soldiers with information regarding agriculture and place for

outdoor recreations.

Highlights of the park include the Chinese Tower, a 25 meter high wooden

structure built in 1789 as a resemblance of the Great Pagoda in the Royal Botanical

Gardens in London; the Japanese Teahouse created to celebrate the Summer Olympics

in 1972. Other great sites are the Monopteros, a Greek style temple and

Kleinhesseloher See, well known for its size, water activities and idyllic beer garden.

Neuchwanstein Castle, Fussen

It is suggested that when visiting Munich, one should definitely take a day tour to

marvel the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein. Situated on the edge of the Alps near

Fussen, the castle has such impressive architecture that it was selected as the model for

the castle in the movie Sleeping Beauty.

Neuschwanstein castle is the work of Bavarian King Ludwig II in the mid-1800s.

The site of the castle was transformed and restored from part of a fortress controlled by

the Knights of Schwangau. Neuschwanstein, meaning New Swanstone Castle, “has

everything from a man-made grotto cave to tons of grand rooms that only a theater

mind could drum up” (bigboytravel, 2019)

Oktoberfest

Known as one of the most festive and oldest celebration in the world, Oktoberfest

attracts millions of people to Munich each year to enjoy its famous beer and several

traditional activities. The festival itself originates from the wedding celebration of King

Ludwig I and Princess Therese in 1810, when the entire city was invited to participate

in this important event. From that time on, the wedding anniversary became an annual

event which got more and more elaborate years after years, with “folk music, parades,

and a chance for growers and producers to show off their wares” (Papas, 2017). Till

this day, the festival has discarded its agricutural elements, yet maintained traditional

performances, costumes, food and of course, beer.

The festival usually lasts for 16 days, from mid-September to the first week of

October. During these days, people would dress in traditional Bavarian outfits and

enjoy the famous beer brewed by six long-standing breweries in Munich.

-Augsburg-

Though not as big or crowded as Munich, Augsburg is a city worth visiting for its

churches and galleries “brimming with Renaissance art”. It is the oldest city in

Bavaria and also the second oldest in Germany; therefore, Augsburg carries rich

culture and amazing architecture. Below are some of the most representative tourist

attractions that one must visit while staying in this city.

Fuggerei

Known as the first and oldest social housing project in the world built by the

wealthy Fugger family in 1521 and is still in use at present. Fuggerei complex includes

142 houses, 67 buildings, a church, a museum, and the beautiful Fugger Palace. The

place sends a peaceful and tranquil vibe with its mustard-colored houses, walls covered

in overgrown vines (see Appendix B). One interesting fact about this complex is that

its inhabitants are are charged no more than € 0,88 for rent each year, the amount

settled for nearly 500 years (Kutter, 2018). Furthermore, Fuggerei residents have to

abide by similar set of rules established since the construction of the complex such as:

the dwellers must be Catholic and registered Augsburg citizens; also they need to pray

for the well-being of the Fugger family 3 times per day and such. Under the influence

of war and political unrest, Fuggerei suffered from great damage, yet it was rebuilt,

expanded and preserved to its perfect state at present.

Saint Anna’s Church

This site is often regarded as the first Renaisssance church in Germany and was

built in 1321 as part of a monastery. Its famous interior design, golden decorations and

important historic values attract lots of visitors with an interest in history and

architecture. The church is where Martin Luther, a representative of the Protestant

Reformation seeked haven in 1518; also the burial chapel for the Fuggers. Nowadays,

the area serves as a museum to portray a critical period of the history, its art, politics

and culture.

Maximilianstraßer

This street is known as one of the city’s most historic streets and also the venue for

a sheer number of historic important buildings, monuments, plus other architecture.

Not only can visitors enjoy a vibrant and friendly atmosphere (from the shops, old-

style houses), they can also catch glimpse of several famous sites such as the

Fuggerhauser (house of the Fuggers), a complex of interconnected houses and

courtyards; the three Mannerist fountains built from the early 17th century.

Furthermore, Augsburg Rathaus is also impossible to miss when strolling along this

street. This Renaissance building houses the city’s history museum, and the famous

Golderner Saar, “an elegant hall covered with murals and a high coffered ceiling”

(Virginia, 2017)

Proviantbach

This destination was suggested by a friend of mine residing in Germany. Though

not listed as the top must-dos for travellers coming to Augsburg, Proviantbach is rather

a local place for young people. It is a 4.4 km long canal, lying paralell to the river

Lech of Augsburg. The fresh atmosphere here is what attracts the attention of several

youngsters in Augsburg. They flock to this area to relax, have a drink and enjoy the

nature view.

FoodFood is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks

of a culture.

Mark Kurlansky

A trip wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the local cuisine and experience of

the local eating habits. Munich and Augsburg, both locate in the state of Bavaria, a

region well known for its agricultural work. As a result, the specialities here are

signified by meat, cheese, wheat flour, which are filling and energy rich. These dishes

might be rather heavy for those coming from a culture emphasizing the freshness of

vegetables, but still it is recommendable that tourists gain an insight into Bavarian

culture by trying these three signature items.

You can always order any of these three dishes in several Wirtshaus (a traditional

tavern or inn) scattered around Munich and Augsburg. These places clearly represent

the culture of hospitality in Bavaria, in which strangers sit together in a big room with

dark wooden tables and enjoy beer, scrumptious food and conversing with each other.

Weisswurst and Pretzels

These two comprise a typical Bavarian breakfast, along with some beer and

mustard to add the flavors. Germany has quite a reputation for its sausages; therefore, it

is impossible not to try this regional famous sausage. It is made from minced veal and

pork back bacon, then spiced with parsley, lemon, mace, onions. Since it is boiled in

water without using any color-preserving substances, the sausages maintain their

greyish-white color.

This scrumptious sausage is often served with Pretzels, a baked bagel shaped into a

twisted knot. The shape of the bread is said to symbolize arms crossed in prayer. The

only ingredient, beside flour, is salt; therefore, Pretzels in Munich possess a unique

taste, which is even better if served with beer.

Schweinerbraten

Boneless pork shoulder roast is a classic dish of Bavaria cuisine (Lager, n.d.). dish

consists of roast pork, dipped in a dark beer sauce, served with bread dumplings and

read cabbage (Blaukraut). This dish is a signature of not only the Bavarian region, but

also of the whole Germany. This dish is suitable for ones who love to taste the

crunchiness of the pork skin, and tenderness of the meat inside. Visitors can order this

amazing plate at any beer gardens around Munich.

Käsespätzle

This dish is absolutely a must-try for any cheese-adicts. Käsespätzle is a

combination between German noodle and cheese, layered alternately then topped with

some fried onions. Accompanying side dishes are green salad or potato salad,

sometimes slices of bacon to add the flavorful taste the plate. This dish, as my friend

said, is the highlight of Bavarian cuisine that each tourist should never miss the

opportunity to taste while in either Munich or Augsburg.

Conclusion

To sum up, 7 days is not enough to cover all the amazing wonders of both cities,

yet it would provide me a glimpse of the history and culture of the Bavarian regions,

also a shade of Germany. I really look forward to turning this dream into reality,

setting foot on these two cities.

Word count: 2734

References

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http://www.auxvillesdumonde.com/en/city-guide/munich

Munich. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wikitravel.org/en/Munich

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