Schmap Munich Historical Background

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Munich - Historical Background
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Munich Home
Schmap Munich guide and map

Munich is a young town! Its founding is attributed to the Guelph Duke, Henry of the Lions, who gained the title Duke of Bavaria in 1156. Now a town of approximately 1.4 million inhabitants, the site was at this time only a small settlement characterised by a Benedictine monastery. A few kilometres away, the salt road wound past. This was a route along which the salt traders transported their goods. Their white gold was carried to Augsburg and further inland from the salt mines in Bad Reichenhall and Hallein. However, to follow such a route necessitated crossing the river Isar. The only possibility was a bridge, which was subject to tolling and lay in the territory of the Bishop of Freising. In order to reap the benefits of this toll system, Duke Henry demanded in 1158 that the old bridge near Oberföhring (today a part of the city of Munich) be destroyed and that a new bridge over the Isar be built on the site of the present Ludwigsbrücke. In the same year Emperor Frederick Barbarossa officially opened this new trade passage. The market and traditional currency of Freising was then transferred to Munichen; the area that was later to be Munich was born! The town Apud Munichen derived its name from the then existing monastery: Bei den Mönchen (meaning literally 'amongst the monks'). At the site of this monastery today Munich's oldest parish church 'Der alte Peter' is to be found. The salt road became the central axis on which the new town boundaries were to be based. It follows the course of the valley from the Isar Gate to Marienplatz.

On Duke Henry's refusal to lead the army for the Emperor he was placed under an imperial ban and subsequently lost his entire estate in 1180. Munich was placed in the hands of the Wittelbacher family. It is said that this family forged the city's history for the following 700 years (until 1918) and finally provided the region with rulers.

13th Century

In 1214 Munich was for the first time described as a 'town' - within the still small town walls (erected circa. 1175) there lived at that time approximately 2000 people. In 1239, the future town symbol first appeared: ”das Münchener Kindl” (the child of Munich). This in fact depicted a young monk and later formed the basis of the Munich coat of arms. The town colors, gold and black, were conceived a century later. From 1324-1350 the so-called decorations of state, the insignia of power, were held at Munich and then the town was permitted to adopt the colors of the Empire.

In 1255, Munich became the official town of residence of the Duchy of Bavaria-Munich and the Alter Hof had to be expanded in order to accommodate this. A further town wall became necessary (built ca. 1255-1290). Finally in 1271, the blossoming town was divided into two parishes, those of St Peter and St Maria.

14th & 15th Centuries

Fires destroyed a large part of the town in both 1310 and 1327 and neither was it spared the wrath of epidemics (between 1349 and 1495 the people of Munich suffered twelve outbreaks of the black plague). As was the case in many other towns, the Jewish population was blamed for this misfortune. The first terrible anti-Semitic hate campaign followed. The string of fires meanwhile did not reach an end until well into the 15th Century.

Munich nevertheless succeeded in becoming a great centre of trade and culture. The trade routes (not only trading in salt, but also fabric and wine) defined Munich life by prompting the opening of a daily market on the Schrannenplatz (today the Marienplatz) as well as the salt market, held at the Kreuzplatz (today the Promenadeplatz). After 1468, Jörg von Halsenbach built the Frauenkirche (the Ladies' church) which as a result of the architecture resembling two Swiss-French ladies' bonnets, became a symbol of Munich.

16th & 17th Centuries

In 1505, Munich was named the capital city of Bavaria. Under the orchestration of Duke Albrecht V, the new official residence was built. His descendants were to continue this construction into the 19th Century and King Ludwig the First finished the palace, which was modeled after the Florentine Palazzo Pitti.

From 1563 onwards, Munich developed into a hotbed of anti-reformation agitation. The Jesuits moved into Munich and the Michaeliskirche was built. The town stood next to Augsburg and Prague as a cultural centre of the region. In 1623, Bavaria became an electorate. The town was occupied in 1632 by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty years war. As a mark of gratitude for the ensuing liberation the Mariensäule (pillar of Mary) was built.

18th Century

In the 18th Century electoral Prince Karl Albrecht commissioned the artist of Rococo. The Amalienburg inNymphenburg subsequently emerged in 1734.

In 1806, Napoleon declared Bavaria part of the Empire and as part of this train of thought dubbed Munich the main town of imperial residence. When crowned Prince Ludwig married in 1810, the first Oktoberfest was held. The town expanded out of its previous boundaries and Maxvorstadt arose.

19th & 20th Century

The 19th Century brought Munich much that shaped its unique character: In 1826 it became a university town and in 1857 the first Weisswürst (white sausage, a Bavarian speciality) were eaten and the new town hall was built. The population increased rapidly: in 1845 there were ca. 100,000 inhabitants. This had grown to almost half a million by 1900. Munich was, as a result, the third largest town in Germany.

In the confusion that followed the First World War, the Munich Räterepublik (Soviet Republic) was claimed in 1919. Shortly after, the first meeting of the Nazi party took place. In 1923 Hitler ordered the march on the Feldherrnhalle. Between 1935-45 Munich stood as the main town of the Nazi movement.

Up to Today

On the 30th of April 1945 American troops marched into a town that had been nearly 70% destroyed. As part of the reconstruction programme, a special effort was made to preserve the historical areas, whilst the building of a new and modern Munich began. The visitors to the Olympic games in 1972 were welcomed by newly built underground transport and ringroads. In the following year Munich had become one of the most desirable cities in Germany. It still serves as a centre of the publishing industry and home of many big international corporations. Furthermore, it counts as a very welcoming and safe town and thanks to its large tourist and leisure facilities has been referred to as the "most northern town in Italy".

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Frauenkirche

Munich's most famous landmark

Frauenplatz 1
Munich, Bayern 80331
Germany
+49 89 290 0820

Set against a clear blue sky, the towers of the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) form Munich's most celebrated landmark. The distinctive towers - built in 1525 - make the church of considerable architectural interest as they are considered to be the precursors of the Renaissance style. The church itself was designed by Gothic architect Jörg von Halsbach in 1468. Its size is imposing, but its simplicity and symmetry rule out any suggestion of ostentation. The interior is mainly Gothic, but the altars were redesigned in the 18th century under the influence of the baroque.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Isar Gate

Munich's only original city gate Tal 50
Munich, Bayern 80331
Germany
+49 (0)89 22 3266 The oldest of Munich's city gates was built in 1337 and served as a fortification for the defence of the city under Kaiser Ludwig of Bavaria. It is the only gate to remain in its original form and is one of the few remaining landmarks from that period. The Isartor was restored between 1833-35 by Friedrich von Gärtner. The frescos, painted in 1835, depict the victorious return of Kaiser Ludwig after the Battle of Ampfing in 1322. The building now houses the Valentin Musäum.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Marien Square

The heart of the city Marienplatz 8
Munich, Bayern 80331
Germany
Marienplatz has been at the thick of things ever since the city was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. It was once a salt and grain market, but is now a magnet for tourists who flock here to marvel at the Gothic facade of the town hall. The bells in the town hall tower peal at 11a (as well as noon and 5p in the Summer) accompanied by a glockenspiel depicting a medieval dance and the wedding of Duke William V and Renata von Lothringen. The Mariensäule stands in the middle of the square.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Nymphenburg

Munich
Germany
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Then it's time to visit Schloss Nymphenburg, a picturesque castle with Parisian-style gardens and ponds full of water lilies, graceful swans and well-fed carp. A favourite meeting place for lovers and families alike, it's also worth wandering around the streets to admire the traditional town houses. A drink or two in Café Palmenhaus is the perfect way to round off the day.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Old Court Castle

Medieval castle and royal residence Burgstraße 8
Munich, Bayern 80331
Germany
Alter Hof castle, the residence of the Bavarian royal family since 1253, was built to the north-east of the city so as to protect the Emperor against possible uprisings by the citizens of Munich. The remains of the castle, with its late-Gothic bay window (known as the 'Affenturm'), the gatehouse to the north and the enclosure to the west, form the oldest group of medieval buildings in the city. Although, of course, the buildings have been reconstructed several times over the centuries, most notably in the nineteenth century and after the Second World War.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Old Court Castle photo by wcities
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Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Munich - Historical Background"
Munich
Munich - Neighborhood Guide
Munich - Where to Stay
Munich - Dining & Drinking
Munich - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Salzburg (124 miles)
Verona (299 miles)
Venice (300 miles)
Frankfurt (301 miles)
Prague (307 miles)
Trieste (327 miles)
Milan (340 miles)
Vienna (354 miles)
Bologna (403 miles)
Bonn (430 miles)

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