September 13-15, 2012:
During this time period in Germany, besides Munich, we saw Andechs (Andechs Monastery), Oberammergau, Ettal (Ettal Abbey and Linderhof Castle), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Hohenschwangau (Neuschwanstein Castle).
MUNICH:
Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.
Taking the metro to the city center:
Taking the metro to the city center
New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus):
The clock, with 43 bells and 32 life-size figures, was added during the completion of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) in 1908. Every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. (as well as 5 p.m. from March to October) the clock re-enacts two stories from Munich’s history from the 16th century, taking about 15 minutes.
New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
Hofbräuhaus (Beer Hall):
Hofbräuhaus (Beer Hall)
Old St. Peter’s Church:
Old St. Peter’s Church
Church interior
Outdoor Markets:
You can find an assortment of items here, but mainly fresh vegetables and fruits.
Outdoor Market
Nymphenburg Palace:
The Nymphenburg Palace is a Baroque palace situated in Munich’s western district Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, in Bavaria, southern Germany. The Nymphenburg served as the main summer residence for the former rulers of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach.
Palace and Gardens
Palace interior
Residenz in Munich:
The Residenz in central Munich is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. The Residenz is the largest city palace in Germany and is today open to visitors for its architecture, room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections.
The Residenz in Munich
Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek):
This art museum is one of the oldest galleries in the world and houses a significant collection of Old Master paintings.
Albrecht Dürer – Self-Portrait
Van Gogh – Sunflowers
Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek)
ANDECHS (ANDECHS MONASTERY):
The Benedictine monks have been working and praying on the “Holy Mountain” since 1455, attending to Bavaria’s oldest pilgrimage.
Monastic life is lived by the Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia. It can be summed up as “work and prayer”. In Andechs the monks attend to the pilgrimage and surrounding parishes, and manage the monastic enterprises.
Monastery exterior
Church interior
OBERAMMERGAU:
Oberammergau is a municipality in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria, Germany. The small town on the Ammer River is known for its woodcarvers and woodcarvings, for its NATO School, and around the world for its 380-year tradition of mounting Passion Plays
Houses of Oberammergau
View of the Alps
ETTAL (ETTAL ABBEY AND LINDERHOF CASTLE):
Ettal is a German municipality and a village in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria. It is known for Ettal Abbey and Linderhof Castle.
Ettal Abbey:
Ettal Abbey exterior
Ettal Abbey interior
Linderhof Castle:
Castle and gardens
Interior
Venus Grotto
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN:
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a German ski resort in Bavaria, formed when 2 towns united in 1935. It’s a prominent destination for skiing and ice skating as well as hiking. The town lies near the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, with a 2,962m summit accessed by cogwheel train and cable car. Garmisch is considered the more fashionable section, while Partenkirchen’s cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the base of the Alps
Painted Houses
HOHENSCHWANGAU (NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE):
The fairytale castle Neuschwanstein is a popular sight in Germany. The castle in Hohenschwangau (Bavaria) was built by order of King Ludwig II and the inspiration for the Disney Cinderella castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle exterior
Neuschwanstein Castle interior