Royal Munich: Following the trail of the Wittelsbach

The first stop for many tourists is the carillon on Marienplatz, which depicts two events in Munich's city history: Down below, the barrel makers celebrate the end of a plague epidemic with the Schäfflertanz (coopers' dance). Above them, the Wittelsbachs are holding a knights' tournament in honor of Wilhelm V's wedding. Munich's history is inextricably linked with the Bavarian royal family.

It was Wilhelm V who instructed the construction of a brewery for his court in 1589. Until then, beer had been imported at great expense from other parts of Germany. Soon all Munich landlords were serving the court brewery beer. The population was not allowed into the inn itself until 1828, when Ludwig I made the Hofbräuhaus accessible to everyone. Today it is the most famous inn in the world.

Munich also owes its landmark to the Wittelsbachs. In the 13th century, they had already built the predecessor of the Frauenkirche, and commissioned the late Gothic building as we know it today. The church was consecrated in 1494. The characteristic domes of the twin towers are reminiscent of the roof shape of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

In the Frauenkirche church there is the magnificent tomb monument of Ludwig IV of Bavaria. The duke from the house of Wittelsbach was crowned German emperor in 1328. The small, provincial Munich was inadequate for the new representative tasks of an imperial residence. The reconstruction of the city then began.

In 1385 the "Neuveste" was built, a castle that was repeatedly remodeled and extended over 600 years until it became one of the most magnificent and largest city castles in Germany. Until 1918, the end of the monarchy in Germany, it served as the residence and seat of government of the Wittelsbachs. During World War II, the Munich Residence was damaged, and reconstruction began as early as 1945.

Today half a million people a year marvel at the Munich Residenz. Among the highlights of the tour is the treasury with the Bavarian royal crown from 1806 as well as the state rooms of the Wittelsbachs, such as the Antiquarium, the Silver Chambers and the Kaisersaal. The huge complex also includes 10 inner courtyards and the extensive court garden.

In 1825 Ludwig I was crowned King of Bavaria. Although he took over a heavily indebted country, he immediately set about modernizing Munich. Thus, he had the Ludwigsstrasse built, a huge boulevard with numerous buildings in Italian style, for example the university or the court library. It was also the first paved street in Munich.

At one end of Ludwigstrasse is the Siegestor (Victory Gate). Ludwig I had the 24-meter-high (79 ft.) round arch with quadriga built in Rome, based on the design of Constantine's Arch. At the other end ⁠⁠— no less magnificent ⁠— is the Feldherrenhalle (Field Marshals' Hall). Like no other ruler, Ludwig I shaped the cityscape of Munich. Many of today's sights date back to his rule.

Ludwig I was a great patron of the arts and sciences, which he wanted to make accessible to his people. He had museums built for the art collection of the Wittelsbachs. For example the Alte Pinakothek. It exhibits paintings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.

Ludwig II was born in 1845 in the Wittelsbach family's summer residence. The room where the "fairy tale king" was born is one of the highlights of the Nymphenburg Palace tours. The head of the Wittelsbach family still lives in the palace. There is enough space as the palace is one of the largest palace complexes in Europe. With a length of 632 meters, it even surpasses the Palace of Versailles.

The Wittelsbachs were fans of large and extensive projects. The Englischer Garten in Munich measures 375 hectares and is one of the world's largest parks. In 1789 Elector Karl Theodor commissioned the People's Park. To this day, the English Garden, with its streams, lakes, meadows and beer gardens, is one of the most popular local recreation areas for Munich's citizens.

Bavaria stands in front of the Hall of Fame and looks out on the Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest usually takes place. This year it had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus. The square is named after Therese, the wife of Ludwig I. To mark her wedding, a horse race was held here in 1810, which developed into the Oktoberfest, the largest folk festival in the world.