We said goodbye to Seefeld, Austria, and the Alps this morning as we loaded the bus and headed to Munich.
The peaks had thrown off the clouds and were basking in all their glory this morning.
Passing thru Garmisch-Partenkirchen we got a good shot of the hospital and the ski jumping hill close by.
As we entered Munich we were reminded that Munich is the business and technology center of Bavaria.
We were a bit on the early side so our bus driver decided to take the long way around and stop for a quick photo break at the Nymphenburg Palace. This summer home for the ruling Wittelsbach family was built in the second half of the 17th century. Its central section was completed in 1675 but it continued to be expanded until its length is almost half a mile from end to end. This achieved its honor as being larger than Versailles.
On the drive up to the palace we spotted a ‘mini car’ tour. Anything with a gimmick to draw in the tourists.
After the brief photo stop we continued on into town. Passing some interesting and significant architecture we were reminded of the underlying wealth of this city.
Once we arrived at our parking spot we hiked the last bit, past the Hofbraühaus and the Viktualienmarkt into the Marienplatz square just as the noon glockenspiel show began.
In addition to that half million close friends, there was a notable police presence, not only in the plaza but wherever people would be likely to gather – like the train station. By notable I mean groups of 6-20 in full crowd control gear (helmets hanging from their packs). Also on our way to the Alte Pinakothek (see below) we noted a row of a dozen police vans, parked and waiting. We’re not sure if it’s the automobile trade fair going on (lots of high value cars around) or the football game (FC Bayern is doing well this year), but obviously the police were showing their presence.
After the glockenspiel show Antonia turned us loose to eat, shop, wander until the appointed hour.
Cheryl and I remembered the Rathaus from last summer and our suggestion to eat there was greeted with approval. In anticipation of a heavier meal this evening we had a light lunch – appetizers and beer. Both were excellent. The artwork was fun too.
After lunch we did a bit of gift shopping and then found a likely looking street to wander down.
Across the street a ways down was a gate looking structure. It seemed like it needed investigating, so we did.
Turns out the gate is part of, and a gateway to the inner courtyard of, the ‘old’ Wittelsbach residence. It has been replaced by the new ‘Residence’ so it isn’t an active palace, but it was interesting to check out the courtyard.
Once the group had gathered we made our way thru the crowd to the bus, which made its way thru the crowd to our hotel.
We got checked in, took a short refreshment break, then headed out to see some art.
One of my favorite art museums is the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. It is a small museum with a great selection of some of my favorite artists. Here are a few examples:
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Guido Reno, 1638/39 
The Great Last Judgement, Peter Paul Rubens, ca. 1617 
The Virgin Mary as Mother of Sorrows, Albrecht Dürer, 1495/98 
The Four Apostles, Albrecht Dürer, 1526 
The Lamentation, Sandro Botticelli, 1490/95 
Village Festival, Jan Brueghel d.Ä., 1612 
Woman Reading, Pieter Janssens gennant Elinga, 1665/70 
The Rederijkers, Jan Steen, 1665 (Jester on right raising a glass is self portrait of the artist)
We took the bus to the museum, but with construction and the immanent need to transport hundreds of football fans from the train station to the soccer pitch finding a bus proved to be a lengthy and hair graying affair. So when it was time to return to the hotel we walked. (It was less than a mile.)
6:00 saw us in a conference room at the hotel where we popped the cork on prosecco and toasted the completion of the trip. We shared high points, boundaries pushed, and learning experiences. It was a good wrap up.
Then we went to dinner.
So that’s Munich – industrial heartland, traditional capital, home of great art, popular gathering place (even though Oktoberfest doesn’t start till next week), all capped off with sausage, sauerkraut, and great beer.
Now we rest.
Tomorrow we board a bus (thank you Lufthansa) to the airport at 7:35 and we’re on our way home.
Till then…
R