Munich is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany. Beyond its beautiful architecture and world-famous festivals like Oktoberfest, Munich has many amazing things that make it a unique city. Here are some fun facts about Munich that will help you discover more about the city.
Historical Facts About Munich
Beneath the stunning facet and vibrant culture, the Bavarian capital has been through several major events throughout time. Here are some fascinating historical facts about Munich.
Hofbräuhaus Beer Saved The City
The Hofbräuhaus is one of Munich’s most famous beers. This brewery produced a popular wheat beer that once helped save the city. In the 1630s, during the Thirty Years War, the Swedish army besieged Munich.
The famous brewer promised to give the Swedish king free beer if he spared the city. This offer worked, and the Swedish troops called off their siege. This is definitely one of the most interesting facts about Munich.
Hitler Tried To Carry Out A Coup In The City
In 1923, Adolf Hitler attempted a coup d’état in Munich. This failed coup attempt is known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler tried to seize power in Bavaria as a starting point for control over Germany.
However, Bavarian authorities crushed the uprising, and Hitler was arrested and imprisoned. This early failed attempt did not prevent Hitler from eventually rising to power in Germany in the 1930s.
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The Munich Massacre Location Has Been Changed Into Student Housing
The Munich Massacre is one of the tragic events and facts of Munich’s history.
During the 1972 Olympics, a terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of several Israeli athletes. The site where this took place was torn down and replaced with student housing to remove the negative associations with the location.
The Tax Office Of Munich Once Sent A Fine To Hitler
It is a lesser-known Munich fact that Adolf Hitler had his own private apartment in the city in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
During his stay in the city, he received a stern notice from the Munich tax office. It was regarding unpaid taxes amounting to 405,000 marks which he owed from previous years. Once he came into power, the taxes were waived and no penalty was imposed.
Cultural Facts About Munich
From its museums to its universities, the city has plenty of attractions. Here are some interesting cultural facts about Munich.
Munich Has The Largest Beer Festival In The World
The Oktoberfest is Munich’s most famous event and also the largest beer festival globally. Dating back over 200 years, this iconic festival attracts over 6 million visitors annually.
It originally began in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese. The festivities were held over 16 to 17 days in October. Over the years, it evolved into a beer festival lasting 2 weeks, ending on the first Sunday in October.
Jimi Hendrix’s Signature Guitar Smash Originated In Munich
One significant cultural event took place at the Munich Pop Festival in 1967, featuring rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. At the end of his performance, Hendrix smashed his guitar to pieces.
This iconic moment of guitar destruction marked the first time Hendrix did this signature act which he later repeated at other concerts before his death. It is definitely one of the greatest facts about Munich.
Over 60 Beer Gardens In Munich
If you are looking for things to do in Munich, you should know that beer gardens are a quintessential part of Munich’s culture and appeal. The city is estimated to have over 60 traditional beer gardens.
Most beer gardens are attached to the major Munich breweries. They allow open-air drinking and dining in a relaxed, communal atmosphere. Spending an afternoon at one of these beer gardens is a classic Munich experience.
Beer Is Considered Food In Munich Instead Of A Beverage
Beer is one of the many things Germany is known for. However, it is not just a drink in Munich but an integral part of the city’s culture and identity.
In Munich, beer is officially considered a German food rather than a drink. So don’t be surprised to see people enjoying beer not just for happy hour but even during breakfast.
Simple Facts About Munich For Kids
If you want to get kids excited about visiting Munich, here are some fascinating facts about the city they will enjoy.
Munich University Has A Slide For Students
The Technical University of Munich has two spiral slides on the campus. The slides are 13 meters high and are meant for students to take a quick trip from the top of the building down to the ground floor. Students and staff can ride down the slide for a fun break between classes and studies.
You Won’t Find A Lot Of Tall Buildings In Munich
Unlike other major cities, Munich has relatively few skyscrapers. This peculiar Munich fact is due to strict building regulations about the city’s height limits. Most buildings in central Munich do not exceed 100 meters.
There are some exceptions, like the 101-meter-high BMW Headquarters tower. But compared to cities like Frankfurt, Munich’s skyline remains low-rise with an emphasis on historical architecture.
The Oldest Building In Munich Is A Bathroom
This is another one of the interesting facts about Munich. The oldest building in Munich isn’t a castle or a cathedral, but a bathroom. Archeologists were carrying out archeological excavations at Marienhof when they found a public bathroom from the 13th century.
Useful Munich Facts For Travelers
As an increasingly popular destination, this German city has much to offer visitors. Here are some key facts about Munich for travelers.
The English Garden
The English Garden is one of the most popular German landmarks in Munich. The name pays tribute to the style of English landscape gardens. The park provides locals and visitors with opportunities for recreation through cycling, running, walking, and boating on the artificial lake.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Iis Aa Popular Place Amongst Famous Personalities
Since 1858, the luxurious Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich has hosted royalty, celebrities, and world leaders within its elegant interiors. Modern celebrities like Elton John, Sting, and Lenny Kravitz have all stayed at what is considered Munich’s finest hotel. Historic guests have included emperors and other royals.
Frauenkirche Is The City’s Cathedral
The Frauenkirche Cathedral is the most familiar landmark in Munich’s city center. Its distinguishing dome towers are major features on Munich’s skyline. It is also a famous place for tourists visiting the city.
The cathedral gets its name from the German term for Church of Our Lady, reflecting its dedication to the Virgin Mary.
There Is A Part Of The Berlin Wall In Munich
The Berlin Wall is such an iconic landmark; it encompasses so many historical stories, legends, and facts of Germany.
The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the division between East and West Germany during the Cold War. When the wall came down in 1989, pieces of it were claimed by people around the world.
One such piece found its way to Munich, where it is now on display near the American consulate. The piece of wall stands as a reminder of Germany’s divided past and reunification. Many people visit to take photos of the iconic wall section when exploring Munich.
Common Facts About Munich
Beyond its many attractions, Munich also has some genral facts that are very well-known among the locals.
Lady Bavaria Statue
A notable landmark in Munich is the Bavaria statue overlooking the city. Constructed in the 1850s, that statue is just under 19 meters tall and depicts Bavaria as a woman.
There is also a narrow spiral staircase inside the statue, which leads to the top of the structure. It is one of the most historically significant landmarks in the country.
The Neues Kino Gabriels Was One Of The Oldest Cinemas In The World
One of the exciting Munich facts for movie and architecture lovers! The Neues Kino Gabriel Film Theater dates back to the early 20th century and retains its beautiful and classic architecture.
Opened in 1910, it was one of the oldest cinemas still operating in Germany and Europe until it closed down in 2019.
This historic theater showed films in an intimate setting with just 271 seats. It provided an opportunity to experience movies as audiences would have during the silent film era.
It Is The Capital Of Bavaria
Munich is the capital, as well as the largest city, in the state of Bavaria.
The city’s name even derives from the Old High German term meaning ‘monks’, which refers to its founding by Benedictine monks in 1158.
Munich is famous for its Bavarian culture, food, traditions and architecture.
Other Interesting Facts About Munich
Along with its major attractions, many intriguing details make the city a memorable destination to visit. Here are some unique facts about Munich.
BMW Is Headquartered In Munich
One of the best-known Munich facts is that the headquarters of the luxury automaker BMW is located here. BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works), which gives a nod to its Bavarian home.
The company was founded in Munich in 1916 as an aircraft engine manufacturer before eventually shifting to making automobiles. BMW’s headquarters and main production facilities are still located in Munich.
Munich Is Known As Monaco In Italian
In Italian, the name Munich is translated to Monaco. There have been several instances where people actually confused Munich for the microstate Monaco.
Recently, two women wanted to visit their niece in Monaco, but they ended up in Munich. Make sure to not get yourself mixed up when planning an itinerary, especially if you are Italian.
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Discovering More Fun Facts About Munich
Munich is a large city with a lot of great experiences to offer. The city has seen a lot of ups and downs in the past, but today, it is one of the most advanced cities in Germany. October is the best time to visit the city, as you would be able to enjoy the Oktoberfest along with a range of other historical and cultural experiences.
