Bavaria is known for exactly what. Bavaria (geographic map). Between reform and revolution

For foreigners, this is a storehouse of folklore, bewitching landscapes, heavy cuisine, mountain lakes and the annual beer Oktoberfest in Munich. For residents of other regions of Germany, this is an object of ridicule, sometimes quite caustic, behind which is poorly concealed envy. Bavaria is the largest, richest and most conservative federal state of Germany. And the most popular among tourists

text: Vladimir Esipov

Wassily Kandinsky, admittedly, had excellent taste. More precisely, he was with his common-law wife Gabriela Münter, who was born in Berlin and moved to Munich at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1909, she bought a country house in Murnau, 70 kilometers from the capital of Bavaria. If today you climb the creaky stairs to the second floor and look out the window of this house-museum, it will immediately become clear why it has been a meeting place for Munich artists for several years in a row. Local landscapes are conducive to creativity. The south of Bavaria strikes an unprepared observer - the idyll seems unnatural. Unnaturally green grass in mountain meadows, unnaturally smooth car roads, unnaturally friendly people. The first days in Bavaria feel like in a honey jar. But then you get used to it - and you begin to understand the artists who held summer season in the city of Murnau.

Although it is difficult to call it a city: the train station, from where an electric train runs to Munich every two hours, a couple of restaurants, footpaths leading from the station to the Staffelsee lake, swans and ducks, December drizzle. And silence.

Right here a hundred years ago the Munich artistic bohemians spent their summers. The inconspicuous house of Gabriela Munter before the start of the First World War became a meeting place for Munich artists - and glorified Murnau throughout the world as a center of avant-garde.

The house-museum is open only three hours a day, in the afternoon. The atmosphere of those years has been restored to the maximum. A wooden staircase leads upstairs - Kandinsky himself painted it with fancy colors. On the bed in his bedroom are a tailcoat and a top hat - as if he had just left. Outside the window - a church, tiled roofs, trees in the rays of the sunset sun.

Gabriela Münter's romance with the Russian artist did not last long. The First World War broke off their creative and personal union. Kandinsky returned to Moscow, Münter married a German art historian - with him she spent the rest of her life in the same place, by the Staffelsee lake. She saved a collection of paintings by Kandinsky from the Nazis and after the war gave the Munich City Gallery in the Lenbach house - glorifying her to the whole world. "Lenbachhaus" - the largest collection of paintings by the most revered Russian artist in Germany - literally a ten minute walk from central station in Munich. And this is a great reason to retreat from all excursion clichés.

Certainly, Germany has other equally picturesque regions, historical buildings and art collections. What are the Cologne Cathedral, the Dresden Zwinger, the Berlin Reichstag or the Moselle river valley with its wineries. But in terms of the concentration of all kinds of palaces, castles and monasteries, the former kingdom of Bavaria occupies the undisputed first place in the country. In the very country whose inhabitants claim that in Bavaria “and the clock runs differently”, that this region is “blacker than night” in terms of politics and outlook on life - the deepest conservatism of the Bavarian Catholics is striking against the backdrop of liberal Cologne, anarchist Berlin and open to the world, slightly snobbish Hamburg.

Bavaria in general and Munich in particular look like a stronghold of traditional values ​​and the highest quality of life. This, of course, is no accident. Bavaria is the undisputed leader of Germany in terms of economy. It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country (3.8 percent) - lower only in neighboring Baden-Württemberg. And in Berlin - more than 10.7 percent. Almost one-fifth of Germany's GDP is produced in Bavaria. In terms of economy (but by no means in terms of outlook on life), Bavaria is such a German California. Rich, beautiful, self-sufficient.

And also very self-satisfied. It is enough just to see the smile of the Prime Minister of Bavaria Horst Seehofer and hear his signature chuckle, which the hosts of German satirical TV programs love to make fun of so much, to understand:
All is well in Bavaria. There is no economic crises, there are no problems with issuing loans, no one accepts gigantic programs to support small and medium-sized businesses. Everything has long been adjusted, rechecked, worked out and - this word is loved in Germany - “functions”.

For example, the second largest airport in Germany, one of the two base transfer hubs of the national airline, “functions” perfectly. In the early 1990s, the transfer of the entire airport infrastructure from the old site to the new one was carried out overnight. This experience is so unique that Munich air experts have since been invited to launch airports around the world. But in Berlin, the capital of all Germany, five years have passed since the date on which the opening of the new airport was scheduled, and the management company still cannot say when it will be ready.

Photo: Reinhard Schmid/SIME/Vostock-photo

Without false modesty, Bavaria considers itself "the champion of Germany in the economy." Its prime minister promises that in 20 years the region's budget will be the first in the country to completely get rid of public debt. Income is so much greater than expenses that it can be used to pay off debts. Statistics show that the growth rate of economic indicators in Bavaria is higher than anywhere else in Germany. From 2010 to 2015, its GDP increased by 22 percent, while the share of Bavaria in Germany's GDP was 18.4 percent.

According to the government of Bavaria, in many of its regions full employment: there are no unemployed as such.

The list of world-famous companies headquartered in Bavaria reads like a hit parade of German industrial giants. BMW, Audi, MAN, Siemens. Here, in the city of Herzogenaurach with a population of just over 20,000 people, in the summer of 1949, a certain Adolf Dassler founded a company whose name he combined from the first letters of his first and last name: Adidas. Now the global concern is managed from a tiny Bavarian town. This, however, is typical for Germany - big companies in small towns. In a decentralized country, everyone is equal before the law, departments and courts work equally effectively regardless of geography. And the success of an entrepreneurial initiative is not associated with proximity to the capital's politicians and financial flows. The law is the same for everyone - and the chances are equal for everyone.

So it's no surprise that the most successful - and richest - football club Germany is also from here. Yes, from time to time Bayern Munich compete in the German championship with upstarts from other cities: last year from Leipzig, the year before last from Dortmund. But her leadership both in the Bundesliga and in the European arena is undeniable.

And all this success prosperity and popularity in a region that some hundred years ago was considered agrarian and relatively backward. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was a constitutional monarchy. In comparison with other areas of the German Empire, industrialization was slower here, and the population grew more slowly. Historians talk about the belated industrialization of Bavaria and see several reasons for this.

Firstly, the relative scarcity of mineral deposits - and they were necessary at the beginning of the twentieth century to build industry. Secondly, geography: the waterways in the Bavarian kingdom are connected not with the Rhine, the main water artery of the empire, but with the Danube, which unites southeastern part Europe. Thirdly, at the beginning of the last century, the inhabitants of Bavaria were busy
mainly in agriculture and handicrafts, infrastructure was weak, cheap labor was scarce.

Everything changed after World War II. Bavaria found itself in the American occupation zone. A year later, elections were held - in the local constitutional assembly, the Catholic conservatives from the Christian Social Union received an absolute majority. The draft of the new Bavarian constitution developed by them was approved by the Americans, they only crossed out the article according to which Bavaria reserved the right to refuse to join the future German state. Thus, the path to the independence of Bavaria was closed once and for all.

The Bavarian economic miracle is a leap from an agrarian past into an industrial and high-tech present. In the mid-1950s, when the German economy began to gradually recover from the consequences of World War II, many large German companies chose Bavaria as their headquarters. Political tensions also helped: Bavaria bordered the GDR and Czechoslovakia. The border separated not just countries, but NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Accordingly, on the eastern and northern borders The region hosted the military bases of the newly created Bundeswehr, and this stimulated the development of infrastructure and the local economy.

The increase in the population of Bavaria was also due to the fact that they found here new house and put down roots by ethnic Germans who fled after the war from the countries of Eastern Europe: inhabitants of Sudetenland, other parts of Bohemia and Moravia. Their total number is estimated at two million, and their contribution to the economic development of the region is invaluable.

Photo: gettyimages.ru

So the citizens Bavaria is in the habit of helping refugees. In this context, it is understandable why, despite Catholic conservatism, in the summer of 2015, the inhabitants of Munich enthusiastically met trains full of hundreds, if not thousands of residents at the central city station. Arab countries who fled to Europe along the so-called "Balkan route". It is not the first time for them to integrate newcomers into their lives.

Customs in Bavaria are, by the way, very original. Moreover, a special Bavarian national identity is built around the observance of these customs. She is not always understood, she is laughed at in other regions of Germany. Because Bavarian customs are special too.

What is worth only one local habit to appear in public places in a national costume. The woman wears an Alpine peasant dress, the man wears knee-length suede trousers with suspenders. Moreover, wearing traditional clothes is considered a sign not only of patriotism, but also of good taste.

The apotheosis of this pride in clothing is the traditional October beer festival, which only from the outside seems like a "Disneyland for tourists." In fact, every self-respecting Bavarian at least once goes with friends to a beer pavilion. Moreover, large companies book tables in these pavilions in advance in order to arrange business meetings with business partners there. There is not much sense from meetings at this time: there is such a hubbub in the halls that it is almost impossible to talk.

But drinking alcohol together brings you closer, and being invited to Oktoberfest is a special honor.
And to come to the beer festival in suede pants or an Alpine dress is considered good form.

Your traditions the Bavarians defend jealously. Belief in the power of tradition sometimes ends in big scandals. In 1995, for example, the German constitutional court made a very high-profile decision: it declared the presence of Catholic crosses on the walls in the classrooms of Bavarian schools contrary to the German constitution (basic law, as it is called in Germany). Because, according to the court, the state is obliged to maintain ideological neutrality. That is, it cannot take the side of any worldview or religion. The cross is a symbol of a particular religion, its presence in the classroom is contrary to the laws of a secular state, which guarantees every citizen protection from religious influence in the room in which he is forced to be due to his duties (in this case, due to universal compulsory school education).

The decision of the court caused a storm of indignation in Bavaria. Tens of thousands of people came out to protest in Munich, led by the then Prime Minister of Bavaria. Since then, many years have passed, and the crosses hung in the classrooms, and hang. Because, in response to the decision of the German constitutional court, the authorities of Bavaria took new law, according to which the cross is declared a symbol of the "cultural and historical traditions of Bavaria" and therefore cannot be considered a symbol of a particular religion. Which, in general, is logical: it is not easy to separate the history of Bavaria from the history of Catholicism.

Or maybe you shouldn't try to do it at all? Maybe the deepest Catholic conservatism is the reason for the Bavarian success?

Photo: gettyimages.ru

The federal state of Bavaria is not at all like the rest of Germany - at least the Bavarians themselves think so. They are very proud of their homeland - the history of its independence, eminent countrymen, long traditions, original culture, cuisine and a dialect so different from standard German. And Bavaria stands out for its extraordinary beauty, which consists of fairytale castles, chic museums, the most beautiful lakes, Alpine scenery and incredible interesting cities led by Munich.

Business card

Springs and recovery

Holidays in Bavaria can be combined with wellness holidays and therapeutic procedures. Bavarian thermal complexes and spa centers are very popular among the Germans themselves and Europeans due to first-class service, unsurpassed comfort and excellent infrastructure.

Most famous centers wellness tourism - Royal Crystal Baths in Schwangau, thermae in Bad Steben, thermae Europa in Bad Füsing, the thermal complex in Erding near Munich, the KissSalis balneological complex in Bad Kissingen, the thermal baths in Bad Wörishofen, the Blue Spa wellness center in the Munich hotel Bayerischer Hof and others. At the disposal of vacationers are mineral pools, saunas, beauty salons, treatment rooms, relaxation areas, attractions, restaurants, etc.

Entertainment and active recreation

Royal castles, among which - the legendary Neuschwanstein, beautiful cities- Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Bamberg and others, charming landscapes, natural wonders, " romantic road”, “wine”, “beer” tours and other routes ... It will take more than one day to get acquainted with the sights of Bavaria - and maybe more than one trip.

Having had enough of excursions, travelers can go to one of the lakes. There are several of them: Lake Constance, Chiemsee, Königssee, Tegernsee, Ammersee and others. Tourists are waiting water sports disputes, hiking, cycling, climbing to observation platforms, offering breathtaking views, excursions to the caves, as well as authentic cuisine, which is rarely found in big city and relaxing atmosphere.

With the first snow, Bavaria becomes the center winter holiday. Berchtesgaden, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf - these cozy ski resorts are well known to those who love skiing, snowboarding, sledding, cross-country skiing among the most beautiful alpine landscapes and other types of winter activities. In addition, various competitions are held at these resorts, recreational activities and holidays.

In general, holidays are a special pride of Bavaria. First of all, beer Oktoberfest - the largest mass celebration in the world, which happens at the end of September in the center of Munich. Other high-profile events include the oldest Wagner Opera Festival, the incredibly spectacular knight festival in Kaltenberg, the Passionspiel theater festival, etc.

Local cuisine and wines

The Bavarians are famous sausage and meat lovers. On the menu local restaurants traditionally included different types sausages and sausages, schweinsbraten (pork chop) with vegetable stew, schweinhakse - a dish of grilled pork leg, Sauerbraten - beef stew, previously marinated in wine and spices, cabbage rolls kolrouladen, Bavarian jellied meat, eintopf meat stew, Leberknödel soup with liver dumplings , sausage salad and many others meat dishes. A hearty meal is washed down with beer: dark, light, wheat weissbier, radler - a beer cocktail with lemonade. A foamy drink is often prepared right there, in local breweries, and some of them have existed for more than a hundred years.

Family holiday

In the state of Bavaria in Germany, an incredible amount of children's entertainment is concentrated. Legoland in the city of Gunzburg, a huge amusement park Bayern Park in Reisbach, several zoos (in Munich, Augsburg, Poing, etc.), many children's museums, the Krone Circus in Munich, etc. In addition, almost every resort in Bavaria has water parks, children's pools, amusement parks, small museums for the whole family and amusement parks.

And Hesse, in the west - with Baden-Württemberg, in the south and southwest - with Austria, in the west - with the Czech Republic. The capital of Bavaria is the city of Munich. The population of the earth is 12 million 209 thousand people (2003). Territory - 70552 sq. km.

Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle. Built by King Ludwig of Bavaria. Initially it was conceived as a living scenery for R. Wagner's opera Lohengrin.

Munich. Panorama of Marienplatz. Right: building new town hall, left: Cathedral of Our Lady.

Two and a half thousand years ago, Bavaria was inhabited by Celtic tribes. At the beginning of our era, the Romans built roads throughout the country and founded many Bavarian cities. The tribe of Bavarians, the first mention of which dates back to 550 AD. absorbed elements of the Celtic, Germanic and Roman cultures. In the 10th century, the area of ​​Bavaria expanded to the Adriatic, from the 11th century it was ruled by the Welf dynasty, later it fell under the rule of the Wittelsbachs. In the 14th century, Bavaria owned territories on the coast North Sea, Louis IV of Bavaria conquered the Margraviate of Brandenburg, Tyrol, Holland and Hainaut.

Of the Wittelsbachs, the most famous is Duke Albert V (1550-1579), who turned Munich into a scientific and Cultural Center, Maximilian I (1597-1651), the first elector of Bavaria, as well as one of his heirs - Max-Emmanuel, patron of the arts. With Charles VII Albert Wittelsbach, a period of rapid cultural flowering began, marked by the development of baroque and rococo styles. In 1806 Bavaria became a kingdom. Under Louis II (1845-1886) Bavaria participated in the wars against Prussia and France. It became part of the empire united thanks to Bismarck in 1871. Louis II became the most famous king of Bavaria, during which many castles were built. The royal form of government lasted until 1919, when Bavaria became a republic. From 1949 to the present day, Bavaria has been a federal state of Germany. However, even in this capacity, Bavaria has had its own constitution since 1949.

Lake Ammersee in Bavaria.

Modern Bavaria is a region with advanced industry. Mechanical engineering, textile industry, high-tech production, printing, forestry and chemical industries are developed here. largest industrial centre Bavaria - Munich. Other important industrial cities Bavaria - Nuremberg and Würzburg.

Nuremberg. Colonnade beautiful fountain(Shen-brunen).

Agriculture also retains great importance, because until 1950 Bavaria was an agricultural land, and Munich was considered a rural capital. Among other crops, hops are grown here for the famous Bavarian beer, which is brewed according to the Beer Purity Law, adopted back in 1516. Franconian wine is also highly valued by connoisseurs (Franconia used to be called the Main River basin, northern part Bavaria, since the Francons lived here in the Middle Ages).

Bavaria - center European tourism. Munich is famous not only for the Oktoberfest beer festival, but also for its numerous museums that rightfully compete with the museums of Berlin. Numerous cultural and architectural monuments are preserved in Augsburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Würzburg, Füssen, Passau, Bayreuth. One of the largest fortresses has been preserved in Coburg, in 1530 Martin Luther lived there for six months. A unique Bavarian city declared a national treasure of Germany is Bamberg. A real reserve of Bavarian folk traditions and crafts remains Bayrischzell.

Bavarian Alps near Berchtesgaden.

Bavaria - perfect place for ecological and sports tourism. From the Alps to the Danube stretches the Swabian Alb with large lakes with turquoise water (lakes Starnbergersee near Starnberg, Chiemsee and lake Ammersee). Donaurid stretches along the Danube, then Gauboden, Germany's great granary. This landscape is interrupted by the Bavarian Forest in the east: from Passau to Regensburg and the border with the Czech Republic there is a solid sea of ​​forests. In the north are natural Park Fichtelgebirge, Franconian Forest and Upper Palatinate Forest. The mountains of Bavaria are a heavenly place for hiking and trekking, there are many parks, as well as luxurious palaces.

Bavarian Alps near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Bavaria has many world famous resorts. Best ski resort country - located near the top of the Zugspitze. Balneological treatment center, created on the basis of thermal springs, - spa Bad Toelz, specialized in the treatment cardiovascular disease. healing springs resort Bad Reichenhall Bad Reichenhall) are used to treat respiratory diseases.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a real Eldorado for winter holidays. Panorama of the resort.

Bavaria. Town Hall Square resort town in Bad Reichenhall.

Bavaria is the most beautiful and largest state in Germany. Her natural landscapes, lakes, rivers and mountains cannot leave indifferent even the most seasoned travelers. Here you have the slopes of the Alps, and the plateau, and the lowlands, every corner of Bavaria is saturated with its flavor.
Land of Bavaria. City of Bamberg

Bavaria Germany, State of Bavaria

Weather in Bavaria

In Bavaria, there are several different climatic zones. In the northwest, where there are no mountains, it is more favorable, the temperature fluctuation is not so significant. In the southeast, the opposite is observed, here is located mountain range, which means that the temperature fluctuation is already more significant. In the lowlands, the summer is quite hot, the temperature in July reaches +30 degrees. Winters here are warm and rainy, average temperature about +5 degrees. In the mountains, summer is quite cool, the temperature rarely rises above +25 degrees. Winters are cold here, the average temperature is around 0 degrees. If you come to Bavaria not for ski holidays, then the best period to visit it is from July to September.
Land of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle

Holidays in Bavaria

Tourism in this land is one of the main sources of income. Bavaria is beautiful at any time of the year. Enough is here developed infrastructure and excellent natural resources. Tourists love to visit the Bavarian Alps and Alpine foothills. In addition, Bavaria holds quite a few festivals throughout the year, one of the most popular is this.

Cities of Bavaria

The most popular city in Bavaria is Munich, its capital. There are enough here interesting places, attractions, as well as for lovers of beer, the most famous breweries. Also Largest cities considered: Nuremberg, population over 500 thousand people; Augsburg, population 270 thousand people; Würzburg, population over 135 thousand people; Regensburg, population over 132 thousand people; Ingolstadt, population over 120 thousand people; Furth, population 114 thousand people; Erlangen, population over 100 thousand people.
Land of Bavaria. Füssen resort

Resorts of Bavaria

This land is just real paradise for health lovers. Bavaria has more than 60 balneological, thermal and climatic resorts. Bavaria can be safely called a single resort, which is divided into zones. Here you will be offered mud, thermal, mineral and salt springs. A variety of wellness programs that combine natural therapy and modern medical technologies will help to carry out treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, or simply wellness vacation. The most fashionable among the Bavarian resorts is, and the most popular mud resort is this.

Prices in Bavaria

Prices here are not particularly different from the rest of Germany. It is not difficult to choose a place for lunch, you will be fed deliciously and inexpensively everywhere, traditional Bavarian dishes, for example, Nuremberg fried sausages, cost about 1.5 - 2 euros per serving. And lunch in a decent cafe will cost about 10-15 euros per person. If you are traveling on your own, you should take advantage of public transport, for which many people love Germany, everything is very clear here and there are no difficulties, but a very cheap way to travel.
Land of Bavaria. Linderhof Castle

Castles of Bavaria

No wonder Bavaria is called the country of castles, there are a great many of them, and by the way, one of the most famous not only throughout Germany, but also in the world. What is worth two nearby locks and. In addition, it is worth visiting the snow-white Linderhof castle, the Herenchiemsee castle, which is located on the Chiemsee lake, the Blutenburg hunting castle and others.

Lakes of Bavaria

Bavaria is famous for its crystal clear lakes. clean water and surrounded by incredible scenery. Most famous lake-, translated as " royal lake". Another well-known lake is the Chiemsee, it is so large that the locals call it the "Bavarian Sea". No less famous is Lake Constance, which is located in the south of Bavaria near the resort of Bodensee. And there are still a lot of similar lakes here.

Sights of Bavaria

This land has a huge number of natural and architectural attractions. Munich is the capital of Bavaria, there are a lot of interesting and fun things to do here. Not far from Munich, there is a town already known for its “not fun” history, namely the most cruel concentration camp of the Second World War. The city of Nuremberg is famous for its longest city walls in Europe, and one of the longest big museums toys in Europe.

One of the oldest settlements in Bavaria is the city of Augsburg, which was founded in the 1st century BC. Historical architectural structures. On the river Main is the city of Würzburg, which is known for its medieval fortress Marienberg. City of Bamberg, for its 800 summer story didn't change his historical appearance, for which he was included in the List world heritage UNESCO.
Land of Bavaria. The village of Hohenschwangau and the castle of the same name

Bavaria is a land of lakes, mountains and rivers. For seven centuries it was a free state, and today it is an integral part of Germany. Medieval status is reserved for Bavaria, but for the last hundred years it has not given it any privileges.

About the first inhabitants of Bavaria

Today, large industrial cities are located on its territory, and once hunters and shepherds lived. The costumes of the Bavarian highlanders can be seen during folk festivals in Germany. The land of Bavaria is fraught with many beautiful and terrible legends about the inhabitants of local caves, about the bewitched Friedrich Barbarossa, who for several centuries sat in a dark grotto, on a throne made of real ivory. In the XII-XV centuries, the Bavarians were naive, superstitious people, however, like all medieval people.

Picturesque land of mountains and reservoirs

Bavaria occupies a vast territory, the Franconian forests, the Alpine mountains, Fichtelsbirge are spread on it. There are many lakes and rivers here, among them is the Danube, sung by German and Russian poets. There are more than one and a half thousand reservoirs in total. Bavaria borders on the lands of Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia, Hesse, as well as on Austria and the Czech Republic.

Middle Ages

The first inhabitants of the lands that today are occupied were the Celts. There were also Etruscans among them. For some time the territory belonged to the Italian royal dynasty. real story Bavaria begins with the reign of the Duke of Wittelbach, a representative of the dynasty, which is described in more detail below.

new time

After the Austro-Prussian war, in which Bavaria got involved, part of its lands, according to a previously concluded agreement, passed to the Germans. In addition, the kingdom, and this territory then had such a status, turned out to be in political isolation. The situation changed for the better after the Franco-Prussian War, in which Bavaria also took part. King Ludwig made an agreement with the German monarch Wilhelm.

In 1871, a new German state appeared on the map of Europe, which included Bavaria. Half a century later, the man who would unleash the Second World War in 1939 tried to organize an uprising in Munich, which went down in history under the term "Beer putsch". In the 40s, the largest Bavarian cities suffered from bombing.

Population

In Bavaria, in addition to the Bavarians, there are Franconians and Swabians. Here you can hear the speech, which differs significantly from the literary German language. it is sometimes difficult to understand a person who speaks the Swabian dialect.

According to 2015 data, more than 12 million people live in Bavaria. After the Second World War, refugees who lived in the former German territories were added to the indigenous population. Several thousand Sudeten Germans arrived here from the border regions of the Czech Republic in the 50s.

Cities

Speaking about the history of the federal state of Bavaria, one cannot remain silent about such cities as Nuremberg and Munich. They began their development in the Middle Ages, at one time recovering from the horrors of the Thirty Years' War. The events that took place in Nuremberg and Munich during the Second World War also have much in common. But before citing some facts from history, it is worth mentioning other Bavarian cities with a population of more than 50 thousand people. Among them: Augsburg, Inoglstadt, Regensburg, Würzburg, Erlangen, Furth, Bamberg, Landshut.

Munich

This city is the capital of this federal state Germany. Bavaria occupies 70 thousand km 2. Munich - 300 km2. About three million tourists come to the Bavarian capital every year, and many of them would like to stay here forever. This city, the largest in the federal state of Bavaria, is home to over a million inhabitants. They say that it is very difficult not to envy them. What is so attractive about this burgher city?

Munich is the cultural center of the federal state of Bavaria. It is surrounded by the Starnberger and Ammersee lakes. It is a very friendly, hospitable city, rich in architectural monuments attracting tourists from all over the world. The capital of the state, Bavaria, is able to interest everyone. Munich is called "the kingdom of beer and baroque", "the metropolis with a tender heart". There are many more epithets that are used when it comes to this. ancient city.

It is known that at the beginning of the XII century, monks lived on the territory of Munich. Hence the name of the city. Then, in the distant medieval times, it was called Munich, which in translation from the old German language means "located next to the monastery." The official date of foundation is 1158. It was then that the monastic fortress turned into a city. Among the sights of Munich are a church and an obelisk built on the site of the dwelling of the Wittelsbachs - representatives of an aristocratic dynasty, thanks to which the city once acquired importance in the European expanses.

Bavaria is a land owned by the Wittelsbachs for seven centuries. Only in 1918 did it become part of Germany (then the Weimar Republic). The Isar Gate, located in the east of Munich, reminds of the deeds of one of the bearers of this legendary family. The inscriptions on the towers of this medieval building tell about the life of Ludwig of Bavaria. Not far from the gate is the Valentine Museum, which operates on a rather strange schedule: opens at 11:01, closes at 17:29.

The Old Court is one of the main attractions of Munich. The castle on its territory was built in 1255, and the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire lived there from time to time. The restored Old Court is now inhabited by local financiers, who, however, only have rooms at their disposal. The courtyard itself has long been recognized as a monument of ancient architecture and is available for tourists to visit.

In the autumn of 1810, the people of Munich had the opportunity to take part in a magnificent celebration arranged on the occasion of the wedding of Ludwig with Princess Theresa. This event was held on Theresienwiese (the name arose later), and it was it that served as the basis for the famous Oktoberfest, which is held annually in the capital of Bavaria.

Adolf Hitler began his political career in Munich. Today in this city nothing reminds of the greatest criminal of the 20th century. True, something still remains from the Nazi era. For example, the house where the body of the Fuhrer's niece, Geli Raubal, was found. It is a beautiful four-storey building with an attic and balconies. The Bürgerbräukeller, where Hitler hatched a plan to organize the Beer Putsch, lasted until 1979.

Nuremberg

The history of the city begins with the appearance in the Frankish kingdom of a village called Norimberg. Already in the Middle Ages, it became one of the largest German settlements. There was a thriving trade here. southern countries with northern, eastern with western. However, Nuremberg not only traded, but also produced. It was here that the pocket watch, clarinet, lathe, thimble were invented. In Nuremberg, a globe was made, on which there was no America yet.

In the architecture of the city there are works of both Gothic and Renaissance. TO historical buildings Nuremberg include the Border Outpost, the House of the Golden Bull, the House of Petraeus, the Jury Courthouse.