More around Marienplatz

Probably my favorite building in Munich, Theatinerkirche, built 1663-1768.

To the left is the Residenz, to the right shops, Theatinerkirche (to the right of this picture) is what begins Munich's "Italian mile"...that's all I know. :)

I did a little research to find out why everyone was rubbing the shield the lion is holding (see how it's shiny where my hand is)...turns out way back when some guy threatened the king's life, when the king called for the guy in to the Residenz to confront him, the fellow rubbed the lions on each side (there are 2) before going in, when the king found out he wasn't serious about the death threat the king was so relieved he let the guy go...ever since people rub the lions for good luck.

Who is this fellow? I don't know...I'll say Ludwig :) Maybe I'll research later and update you.

The Residenz

The Residenz was the former residence of Bavarian Kings, it was gradually transformed from a moated castle in 1385, to an extensive complex with 7 courtyards over hundreds of years. Then in WWII, after just hours, large portions were destroyed and immediately after the war reconstruction began. Many of the art treasures were stored elsewhere during the war and then returned safely through secret routes.

All of the detail on the side of this building was painted (don't tell them but it reminded me of some of the buildings in Disneyland :) )

Every few yards, as you walked down a pedestrian street along side the Residenz, you'd go through a doorway and enter a different courtyard..each one unique (see above photos).

Marienplatz

Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), built between 1867 and 1908 (looks a lot older!) The golden statue of the Virgin Mary however is from 1590. About half way up on the clocktower portion of the rathaus we were lucky enough to witness the famous Glockenspiel, when the clock chimes at noon the figures start "dancing" as they go around on a large turntable type mechanism - it was pretty fun! We wondered why everyone in the square started gathering and staring up at the tower, so like sheep we did the same trying to figure out what was going on...but thankfully the clock soon chimed and we saw

what all the fuss was about! Now that's a door!

Willkommen nach Munchen

The City Gate ... rebuilt after much of the city was destroyed by Allied bombing in WWII. While other cities took the opportunity to rebuild in a more modern design, Munich chose to keep with it's original design. Many buildings were put back together piece by piece using the original material where possible.

For those of you who like to be oriented, this is looking down (South) Ludwigstrasse towards the Residenz (those pictures are to come). By the way Ludwigstrasse which becomes Leopoldstrasse (if you care) are where our favorite restaurants were, including the Block House whish was an "American" steak house...kind of fun to go to an American restaurant and be "ethnic". :)

Friedensangel (Angel of Peace) 1896, commemorates the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), based on the Greek goddess Nike.

Just throwing a "people" picture in for those of you bored by the architecture. :) Though this was taken at the Friedensangel.

Another Castle

Schloss Nymphenburg, a summer palace built in 1664 to the west of Munich.

All of the castles had a thing for swans..

If you're ever in the area, eat at the cafe-konditerei just down the street!

Day 7 - Dachau

Right in the middle of the city of Dachau, is the first Nazi camp built in 1933...left just as it was 60 years ago, right down to the barbed wire. A constant reminder to the poor people of Dachau, a city which apparently could be a tourist attraction in and of itself, even having a castle. However the only attraction that people know and come for, is the camp.

We came on a "perfect" day...it was very cold with a biting wind and freezing rain. I was so cold all I could think about was getting into our warm car and heading back to Munich for some good food. I couldn't imagine being there for 12 years (that's how long it was open), not to mention I had my nice Columbia Sportswear jacket, not thin fabric clothes, and I didn't have to stand at attention all day.

Drew begrudgingly posed for this picture...I told him the pictures would be boring if we didn't have any "people" pictures. Apparently he felt it was sacreligious, or something.

And here is the happy ending...giving honor to the US 20th Armored Division who freed this camp. The US soldiers were so appalled by what they found right in the heart of the city, that they made the people of Dachau clean up the bodies.

Views of Munich

Can you make out the Alps in the distance? Yes, I wish I was there on a clearer day too.

Don't you love the red rooves? Or is it roofs? :)

Just in case you forget what city you're in, these 2 buildings will remind you!

Tell me this isn't the coolest building? Kind of like a grown up toy chest!

Day 6 - Munich (or Munchen) Germany

Olympiapark: Munich, Germany site of the 1972 Summer Olympics. Now is a beautiful park, which even on a cool early March evening was full of runners, families and people like me & Drew enjoying a view overlooking Munich and experiencing a little sports history.

We're standing on an aritificial hill made from World War II rubble.

Mark Spitz and his 7 Gold Medals...yes that is still a record.

The architecture of the stadium and other venues is quite unique, but despite being built in the early 70's seems to have stood the test of time...or maybe it's just because we were in Europe and think everything is cool. :)

FYI

If you haven't checked the blog lately (I know you've tired from checking...but I'm working on it!) you'll have to hit the "May 2007" link to the left to see all of the posts -- I've done too many to fit on the page at once, so you may be missing some things.

Day 5 - Liechtenstein & Switzerland

Ok, so we didn't actually do anything in Liechtenstein but stop to get our picture with the sign and make the poor border crossing guard stamp our passports. I have a feeling the guards stamp more "souveneir" type passports than for the real reason.

Whoops! He caught Drew taking a picture of his lovely car...how can they let this on the Autobahn along with Ferraris and other more fitting vehicles? Who knows.

And I always thought San Bernardino was in California.

Chur Switzerland. Drew finally let me "escape" over the Alps to the freedom of neutral Switzerland. Chur really wasn't all that interesting (or we were just tired from the previous 4 days), so we ate lunch, hunted down some Swiss chocolate (very good by the way) and headed back to Germany.

Day 4 - Brixen/Bressanone, Italy

Abbazia di Novacella

I should probably share with you all the participants of our vacation...we spent most of our time (all except Munich) with Jonathan & Jessica, they also stayed at Edelweiss. Jonathan was on his way home from Iraq--he worked with Drew--and his girlfriend Jessica met up with him in Germany.

Drew even made friends with the locals.

I learned why the city has seemingly 2 names (Brixen/Bressanone) Brixen is German and Bressanone is Italian...most of the city speaks German, with a small percentage speaking Italian.