A German friend once told me that Bavaria is the Texas of Germany, which I don’t think is meant to be a compliment. True, the region is religiously and socially conservative and its residents speak with a unique accent, but as a tourist I’m always pleased to find Germany’s most enjoyable clichés here: Lederhosen, cavernous beer halls, oompah music.
I also love that Munich is drenched in Rococo, a style that permeated the city in the 18th century.
Munich sustained a lot of ruin and destruction during the two world wars, but was mostly rebuilt in time for the 1972 Olympic Games.
In the Middle Ages, Munich’s growing city center was protected by a wall, Äußere Stadtmauer, with four large towers. Though the wall was demolished in the 18th century during a growth spurt, some gates remain.
Munich is an ideal walking city. It’s full of appealing architecture, impressive museums and, of course, food and beer. It’s easy to spend a few days here just wandering around and hanging out.
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