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Briefly about Bavaria: why to go and what to see

Bavaria is one of the most distinctive regions of Germany, it is not surprising that tourists and travelers have long loved this southern land for its attractions, nature, cuisine, climate and recreational opportunities. Indeed, Bavaria is the most large region in the country, diverse both in its landscape and historical heritage. Tourists who have been here note that Bavaria combines various areas of tourism and is not limited to just one. In Bavaria, romantic castles and famous historical monuments, alpine nature and Franconian “gingerbread” towns, crystal clean lakes and museums of modern technology. The Bavarians themselves say that everyone here can find something to their liking.

Travel routes in Bavaria are very diverse. In the north of the region is Franconia with its small but extremely picturesque towns, thermal resort and the greatest natural phenomenon- Danube fault. In the south of the country you can see alpine nature with its lakes, mountains and waterfalls, as well as visit local ski resorts. To the west are world-famous castles, as well as Lake Constance. In the east - natural Park"Bavarian Forest" Well, Central Bavaria is traditionally associated with Munich and its many attractions.

R. Halfpaap/Bad Reichenhall

Visa and entry rules to Germany

In order to enter Germany for the purpose of tourism, you need a Schengen visa type C. It allows you to travel throughout all countries included in the Schengen agreement. Having received a Schengen visa, you can easily travel both within Germany and beyond. For example, tourists often combine a visit to Bavaria with trips to Austria (Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck) or the Czech Republic (Prague, Karlovy Vary, Cesky Krumlov).

To open a tourist visa, you need to collect a standard package of documents, take out insurance (with coverage of at least 30 thousand euros), purchase a return ticket and book accommodation (hotel, apartments, etc.). If you are traveling to Bavaria on a visitor visa, you must also include an invitation from the German side. In addition to the embassy in Moscow, general consulates where you can apply for a visa are also located in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Novosibirsk, in addition, in many large cities there are visa centers dealing with this issue.


polybert49/Munich

Climate and weather of Bavaria

The climate of Bavaria is quite mild, with the exception of the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Bavaria is considered the southernmost region of the country, so the precipitation here is much less than in the rest of Germany; in winter there may be a slight minus and short-term snowfall, which, most often, immediately melts. Spring, summer and autumn in Bavaria are warm, but not hot, for this reason excursion holiday will be comfortable at almost any time of the year. Bavaria's weather is stable and mild over most of the territory, with the exception of the Bavarian Alps, where winters are fairly snowy (ski resorts are open) and the summer months can be windy and slightly wetter than the rest of the region.


Clemens v. Vogelsang/Lindau

Currency, language, local time

In Germany, like in most European countries, the euro currency is adopted. If you have not exchanged money in advance, currency exchange offices can be found in the arrival terminals. You will need cash at the airport to pay for public transport or taxis; other currencies (dollars, for example) are not accepted for payment.

In Bavaria, like in the rest of Germany, German is spoken, although in the southern part of the region you can hear the unusual Swabian dialect, which is also characteristic of Austria, which borders Bavaria. English is generally understood in all tourist places, many signs in museums, galleries, castles and other attractions are duplicated on English language, you can often take Russian-language audio guides on excursions. Local time coincides with Moscow.


Polybert49/Munich

How to get to Bavaria

There are two main ways to get to Bavaria - by flying to Munich or Memmingen. Munich Airport is a major international air hub in Germany, where planes from all over the world land, including direct flights from Russia. You can get from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Munich by direct flight, from other cities of Russia - with a transfer at one of the airports in Moscow.

Direct flights from Moscow to Munich are available Russian airlines Aeroflot, S7 and German LuftHansa. In addition, many European carriers offer flights to Munich with a short transfer in one of the European capitals and, as a rule, such tickets are somewhat cheaper. The flight time lasts 3 hours. Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport is located 30 km from the city center and consists of 2 terminals. You can get from the airport by city train, regular bus or taxi. The train station is located right at the airport, bus stop— at the exit from arrival terminal No. 1. You can order a taxi at the information desk, or book a transfer in advance through various services:


Polybert49/Hofgarten, Munich

Public transport in Bavaria

Bavaria is literally riddled with a network public transport, so moving between cities and smaller settlements here is easy and relaxed. A convenient way to travel around the region is to buy the so-called “Bavarian ticket” for regional trains and electric trains; it is cheap and often justifies itself in terms of logistics. With this ticket you can travel not only to Bavaria itself, but also, for example, to visit the Austrian Salzburg. Of course, you can travel with regular one-time tickets. Train schedule – on .

Relatively recently, a type of transportation such as a bus has become competitive in Germany. Although bus trips take a little longer, due to the low cost of tickets, they are very popular among budget tourists. In addition, buses also help out when you need to get to places in Bavaria where trains do not go, or where they do, but with a large number of transfers, for example, everyone’s favorite Bavarian castles, as well as the alpine region of Berchtesgaden.

As for urban public transport, in most cities there is simply no need for it due to the small size of the settlements themselves. The only exception is, perhaps, Munich. In Munich, public transport is represented by the city metro, commuter trains, trams and buses. The entire Munich public transport network is divided into zones. In order not to bother themselves with all these divisions into zones, it is convenient for tourists to purchase tickets for the whole day (or for 3 days) and travel unlimitedly on all types of transport to any area of ​​the city.

If you plan to travel a little, then you can get by with a one-time ticket; its cost will depend on the zone you need to get to (the ticket machines have detailed maps, duplicated in English). By the way, in the Munich metro there are no turnstiles or barriers at all, but this does not mean that there is no control on the line.

Please note that tickets must be validated in special machines located at stations before boarding; on buses this must be done inside the cabin. For an unvalidated ticket, the owner faces a fine. In general, moving around Munich is quite convenient even for those who are in the city for the first time, because... Everywhere there are detailed signs and diagrams that help you quickly find your way around the place. In this plan (as in many others) Munich is a “friendly” city towards tourists.


Allie_Caulfield/Nuremberg

Car rental in Bavaria

Germany is traditionally famous for its impeccable roads, and especially for its high-speed highways - autobahns, thanks to which you can quickly get to any settlement. Another advantage of roads in Germany is that they are free (whereas in most European countries Tolls apply for traveling on expressways.) If you are a happy holder of a driver's license and plan to travel a lot around Bavaria and, possibly, beyond its borders, then it makes sense to consider a method of transportation such as a rented car.

This option is quite widely in demand in Germany, and in Bavaria in particular. You can find car rental offices in any more or less large Bavarian city. Needless to say, there are a great many such offices in Munich. Prepared tourists often book a car directly at the airport of arrival so as not to waste time on public transport.

In order to draw up a rental agreement for a car, you must have a passport, an international driving license (or a new type with an entry in Latin), bank card to write off funds. You will also be offered to take out car insurance. To ensure that the desired class of car is guaranteed to be waiting for you upon arrival at the airport, you can book it in advance through special online services:


Heribert Bechen/Danube Fault

Travel insurance

When going on a trip to Germany and Bavaria in particular, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the registration stage tourist visa. You can take out insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this:

- online insurance for people traveling abroad and traveling in Russia;

- O online service for selecting and purchasing travel insurance with the ability to compare offers from various insurance companies;

You can purchase a policy online and then print it on a regular printer. Insurance must be attached to the visa documents, and you must also have it with you at the time of entry. passport control upon arrival at the airport. Please note that the minimum amount of insurance coverage for travel to European countries is 30 thousand euros. Medicine in Germany is paid and quite expensive, so having insurance with you is not a luxury, but a necessity.


Pixelteufel/Garmisch

We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!

Photo at the beginning of the article: Bernd Thaller

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. The medieval status has been retained by Bavaria, but for the last hundred years it has not given it any privileges.

About the first inhabitants of Bavaria

Today, its territory is home to large industrial cities, but once upon a time there lived hunters and shepherds. Costumes of the Bavarian Highlanders can be seen during national holidays in Germany. The land of Bavaria is fraught with many beautiful and terrible legends about the inhabitants of local caves, about the enchanted Frederick Barbarossa, who for several centuries in a row 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.

A picturesque region of mountains and ponds

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

Middle Ages

The first inhabitants of the lands that are occupied today were the Celts. There were also Etruscans among them. For some time the territory belonged to the Italian royal dynasty. True story Bavaria begins with the reign of the Duke of Wittelbach, a representative of the dynasty 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, which is precisely the status this territory had at that time, found itself in political isolation. The situation changed for the better after the Franco-Prussian War, in which Bavaria also took part. King Ludwig entered into an agreement with the German monarch William.

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 world war, tried to organize an uprising in Munich, which went down in history under the term “Beer Hall Putsch.” In the 40s, the largest Bavarian cities suffered from bombing.

Population

In addition to the Bavarians, Franconians and Swabians live in Bavaria. Here you can hear speech that differs significantly from standard German. It is sometimes difficult to understand a person speaking in the Swabian dialect.

According to 2015 data, more than 12 million people live in Bavaria. After World War II, refugees living in 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

Talking about history federal state Bavaria, one cannot remain silent about cities such 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 a lot in common. But before citing individual facts from history, it is worth naming other Bavarian cities whose population exceeds 50 thousand people. Among them: Augsburg, Inoglstadt, Regensburg, Würzburg, Erlangen, Fürth, Bamberg, Landshut.

Munich

This city is the capital of this federal state of Germany. Bavaria occupies 70 thousand km 2. Munich - 300 km 2. 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 more than 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 lakes Starnberger and Ammersee. It's very friendly hospitable city, rich in architectural monuments, attracting tourists from all over the world. The state's capital, Bavaria, can 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 we're talking about about it ancient city.

It is known that at the beginning of the 12th century monks lived on the territory of Munich. Hence the name of the city. Then, in distant medieval times, it was called Munichen, which translated from Old German means “located next to the monastery.” Officially, the founding date is considered to be 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 home of the Wittelsbachs - representatives of the aristocratic dynasty, thanks to whom the city once gained importance in the vastness of Europe.

Bavaria is the land that the Wittelsbachs owned 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 us of the deeds of one of the bearers of this legendary surname. The inscriptions on the towers of this medieval building speak 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 grounds was built in 1255, and the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire lived there from time to time. The restored Old Court is now home to 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 accessible to tourists.

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

Adolf Hitler began his political career in Munich. Today in this city there is nothing reminiscent of the greatest criminal of the 20th century. True, some things still remain from Hitler’s times. For example, the house where the body of the Fuhrer’s niece, Geli Raubal, was found. It is a beautiful four-story building with an attic and loggias. The Bürgerbräukeller, where Hitler hatched his plan to organize the Beer Hall Putsch, existed until 1979.

Nuremberg

The history of the city begins with the appearance of a village called Norimberg in the Frankish kingdom. Already in the Middle Ages it became one of the largest German settlements. There was brisk 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, and thimble were invented. In Nuremberg they made a globe on which America was not yet there.

The architecture of the city contains works of both Gothic and Renaissance styles. Historical buildings in Nuremberg include the Border Post, the House of the Golden Bull, the Petraeus House, and the Assize Court.

The federal state of Bavaria is not at all like the rest of Germany - at least that’s what the Bavarians themselves think. They are very proud of their homeland - the history of its independence, eminent fellow countrymen, long traditions, distinctive culture, cuisine and dialect, so different from standard German. Bavaria also stands out for its extraordinary beauty, which consists of fairy-tale castles, chic museums, beautiful lakes, alpine landscapes and incredible interesting cities led by Munich.

Business card

Springs and healing

Holidays in Bavaria can be combined with health-improving holiday and therapeutic procedures. Bavarian thermal complexes and spa centers are extremely popular among Germans and Europeans due to their first-class service, unrivaled comfort and excellent infrastructure.

The most famous centers health tourism- Royal Crystal Baths in Schwangau, thermal baths in Bad Steben, thermal baths Europe in Bad Füsing, thermal complex in Erding near Munich, balneological complex KissSalis in Bad Kissingen, thermal baths in Bad Wörishofen, wellness center Blue Spa in the Bayerischer Hof hotel in Munich, etc. Vacationers have at their disposal mineral pools, saunas, beauty salons, treatment rooms, relaxation areas, attractions, restaurants, etc.

Entertainment and active recreation

Royal castles, including 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 their fill of excursions, travelers can go to one of the lakes. There are several of them: Lake Constance, Chiemsee, Königssee, Tegernsee, Ammersee, etc. Tourists are welcome aquatic species dispute, hiking, cycling, climbing to observation platforms, offering breathtaking views, cave tours, authentic cuisine that is rarely found in a big city, and a peaceful atmosphere.

With the first snow, Bavaria turns into 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, these resorts host various competitions, entertainment events and celebrations.

In general, holidays are a special pride of Bavaria. First of all, the Oktoberfest beer garden is the largest public festival in the world, which takes place 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, theater festival Passionspiel, etc.

Local cuisine and wines

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

Family holiday

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

Bavaria is the largest of the sixteen states of Germany, located in the very center of Europe. From here you can reach Vienna, Paris, Brussels, Prague, Rome or Zurich in a few hours. On an area of ​​70,554 sq. km are home to about 12 million people. And the length of the Bavarian border is comparable to the air distance between Moscow and Munich. In the west and north-west, Bavaria borders on the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, in the north - on Thuringia and Saxony, in the east - on the Czech Republic, in the south - on Austria. The capital of Bavaria is Munich. Largest cities(more than 100,000 inhabitants): Nuremberg, Augsburg, Wurzburg, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, etc.

Nature

Bavaria is distinguished by great natural diversity. The Bavarian Alps - this is where the most high point Germany peak Zugsspitze (Zugsspitze) - 2964 m.

The Alpine foothills extend from the Alps to the western part Lake Constance. The main decoration of this part of Bavaria is most picturesque lakes: Chiemsee - 80.1 sq. km, Starnbergersee - 57.2 sq. km, Ammersee - 47.6 sq. km, etc. The abundance of water bodies makes this area ideal place for tourism and activities different types sports Eastern Bavaria - mountains of medium size, covered with forests, stretch from Regensburg and Passau to the border with the Czech Republic. This is where the unique national park"Bavarian Forest"

The largest rivers in Bavaria: Danube (Donau) - 387 km, Main (Main) - 411 km, Isar (Isar) - 263 km and Inn (218 km).

In Bavaria there are two national parks, and the total forest area is 33.8% of the total land area of ​​Bavaria.

The Bavarian climate is also very diverse. The northwestern region has the most favorable climate. The closer to the southeast, the greater the temperature fluctuations. As a rule, Bavaria has fairly hot summers and mild European winters, which, however, does not exclude frosty days.

Population

The population of Bavaria is 12 million people. Initially, three tribes lived in this territory - the ancient Bavarians, Franks and Swabians, each of which had its own language, customs and mentality. It is from these tribes that most of the inhabitants of modern Bavaria come, not counting the 2 million people (mostly Sudeten Germans) who settled here after 1945.

The majority of Bavarians are Catholics (69%), Protestants make up 25% of the total population.

There is a local dialect of German, which in many ways differs significantly from classical German (Hochdeutsch). However, most Bavarians, with the exception of some rural residents, speak classical German.

Story

Bavaria is one of ancient states Europe. According to the most common theory, the Bavarian tribes were formed in the 6th century AD. from the Romans who remained on these lands, representatives of the Celtic tribes and the Germans who moved here. Already in the 10th century, the Bavarian tribal state had considerable power, and in 1158, Duke Henry the Lion founded a new settlement on the banks of the Isar River - today's Munich.

However, until the 13th century, the capital of the Bavarian state was the ancient Regensburg, founded by the Romans. In 1180, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa transferred the Bavarian territories to Count Otto von Wittelsbach - several centuries of Bavarian history will be associated with this dynasty.

Residences such as Bamberg, Würzburg, Ansbach, Bayreuth, as well as the large imperial cities of Nuremberg, Augsburg, Rothenburg, etc., gradually turned into pan-European spiritual, cultural and economic centers. However, despite the large number of cities, Bavaria remained generally an agricultural country.

All-German reform movement ser. The 16th century practically did not affect Bavaria: the Roman Catholic Church continued to dominate here. And at the state university founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt, one of the main opponents of Martin Luther, Johannes Eck, worked.

During the Thirty Years' War, Bavaria suffered heavy losses, but the first Bavarian Elector Maximilian I (1607-1651) managed to make up for the losses by annexing the Upper Palatinate to Bavaria. One of Maximilian's heirs, the Blue Elector Max Emmanuel (1662-1726), contributed in every possible way to the penetration of the Baroque into Bavarian art and culture, and in subsequent years (until the reign of the last Elector from the ancient Bavarian Wittelsbach line) Bavaria experienced a great cultural upsurge.

Elector Max Joseph IV (1799-1825), threatened by the seizure of the Bavarian territories by Austria, on the one hand, and the lack of support from the Empire, on the other, decided to come under the protection of Napoleon. In 1806, Max IV accepted the royal title and joined the Confederation of the Rhine formed by Napoleon. The Constitution of 1808 for the first time established equality of all before the law, protection of person and property, freedom of conscience and independence of the judiciary. And in 1833, Bavaria joined the German Customs Union.

During the reign of King Ludwig I (1825-1848), Munich became one of the largest cultural centers Germany - poets, artists, architects, scientists flock here.

During the reign of the most famous Bavarian king, Ludwig II (1864-1886), Bavaria fought against Prussia (on the side of Austria, 1866) and France (on the side of Prussia, 1870-71). In 1871, Bavaria became part of the newly formed German Empire.

However, the “fairytale” king, Ludwig II, became famous not so much for his political actions as for his passion for the architecture and music of the great Richard Wagner, who lived for many years at the king’s court. Stunning castles and palaces, the fruits of the fantasy of a “fairy-tale” king, have become a reality: one of them, the famous Neuschwanstein, has become a symbol of Bavaria. In 1886, Ludwig II died under unclear circumstances: his body could not be found in Lake Starnberg, where he allegedly drowned.

After the First World War and the November Revolution, Bavaria became a free state, but in April 1919 the so-called Soviet Republic was proclaimed here, the century of which, however, turned out to be very short-lived.

In November 1923, the “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in the oldest Munich beer hall, the Hofbräuhaus, one of the most active participants of which was Adolf Hitler, unknown to anyone at that time (by the way, despite his Austrian origin, Hitler considered Bavaria his true homeland). Hitler's speech at the trial of the putschists became one of the starting points in his political career. And during several months of imprisonment in the Landsberg fortress (near Munich), Hitler wrote his famous work Mein Kampf, which later became the basis of Nazi ideology.

In 1933, after the NSDAP came to power, Bavaria became part of the Third Reich. Already in 1933 in small town Dachau, near Munich, was the first concentration camp for opponents of the Nazi regime.

During World War II, the majority German cities, including Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg, were heavily damaged by bombing. After the end of World War II, by decision of the Allies, Bavaria became an American occupation zone.

Since 1949, Bavaria has been a state of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1990 Bavaria became one of the 16 federal states of the united Germany.

Tourism

As a rule, the mention of Bavaria evokes very specific associations: alpine pastures, national leather breeches, the “fairytale” King Ludwig II, the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and, of course, the Munich beer festival “Oktoberfest” and the legendary football team. All this, of course, is true, but few people know that Bavaria, among other things, is a favorite vacation spot for the Germans themselves. This is not surprising: Bavaria is truly ideal for tourism, at any time of the year. Thanks to its cultural diversity, rich historical past and distinctive geographical location Bavaria is rightfully considered one of the best tourist areas not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. It is an equally attractive destination for sightseeing enthusiasts and avid sportsmen, especially skiers.

The Bavarians themselves are incredibly proud of their country, and this is easy to see: it is here that you can easily see people walking down the street in real national costumes- for many of them this is their usual everyday clothing.

Munich

The old proverb about the capital of Bavaria, Munich, “Barock und Brauche, Bier und Bauche” (“Baroque and customs, beer and bellies”) has not lost its meaning even today. However, these short characteristics still do not exhaust the diversity of this city, which is both typically German and at the same time unlike anything else.

Munich was once called the secret capital of Germany. It is the third largest city in Germany and undoubtedly one of the main centers of German cultural life.

Peak cultural development The city fell during the reign of the most famous Bavarian king Ludwig II (1825-1848), at whose whim several stunning castles and palaces grew up in the vicinity of Munich, and the most famous of them - Neuschwanstein Castle - became one of the main architectural attractions not only in Germany, but also throughout Europe. The great German composer Richard Wagner lived at the court of King Ludwig II for many years.

The peak of tourist pilgrimage to Munich occurs in the second half of September and the beginning of October - it is at this time that the world famous Oktoberfest beer festival takes place in Munich. Oktoberfest first took place in 1810 and was timed to coincide with the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Since then, this holiday has become one of the main symbols of Bavaria, and its venue - Teresienwiese Square - bears the name of Princess Theresa. However, those who are planning to visit Munich should remember that during Oktoberfest the city's population increases several times and sightseeing or shopping becomes very difficult. Well, you can enjoy famous Bavarian beers such as Augustinerbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, Spaten, etc. at any time of the year, in any corner of Munich, day or night.

What to see in Munich:

Marienplatz - central square The city, along with Peterskirche, Tal Street and Jakobskirche, belongs to the oldest part of Munich.

The New Town Hall (Neue Rathaus) is located on Marienplatz. Despite the fact that the New Town Hall was built in the 60s of the 19th century, the building is entirely in the Gothic style.

The Old Town Hall (Alte Rathaus) is located next to the New Town Hall, built in 1470.

Frauenkirche (Liebfrauenkirche) - main cathedral city, the two octagonal towers of the cathedral are the symbol of Munich.

Teatinerkirche St. Kajetan - located on Odeonsplatz, opposite royal residence(Residenz) is the first South German church built in the Baroque style.

The Hofbrauhaus is located in the heart of Munich, in the town of Platzl. The most famous Munich beer hall. It was here that the so-called “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in 1923, which marked the beginning of the political career of Adolf Hitler.

The English Garden (Englischen Garten) is a picturesque natural ensemble in the very center of Munich.

The Old Pinakothek (Alte Pinakothek) is one of the main art galleries in Europe.

Nymphenburg Castle (Schloss Nymphenburg) is the former summer residence of the Bavarian kings, a palace and park ensemble in the Baroque style.

BMW Museum - in the unusual premises of the museum, the unusual history of the concern is presented, from aircraft engines to the latest models, from old motorcycles to racing cars.

The second largest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg, was one of the main cities of Germany in the Middle Ages.

What to see in Nuremberg:

The fortress (Burg) is an ancient princely residence located high above the city.

German National Museum(Germanische Nationalmuseum) - founded in 1852, the largest historical and artistic collection in Germany.

Frauenkirche on Hauptmarkt Square (Frauenkirche am Hauptmarkt) - built in 1352-1361 according to the model of Bohemian churches.

St. Lorenz is the main evangelical church of the city, built between 1260 and 1370, Gothic.

Albrecht Durer's House (Albrecht-Durer-Haus) - Durer lived in this house from 1509 to 1528. House of the 15th century made in half-timbered style.

Among other Bavarian cities, it is worth highlighting the ancient Regensburg - the first capital of Bavaria and the ancient Augsburg - in the Middle Ages - the crossing point of all European trade routes.

And, of course, it is especially worth mentioning the famous palace and park ensembles, the former residences of the Bavarian kings, located in the most picturesque corners of Bavaria. The most famous of them - Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchimsee - were built at the behest of the famous “fairytale” king Ludwig II of Bavaria.

There is another famous residence in Bavaria that belonged not to the king, but to the Fuhrer: it is here, in the very southern point Germany, in the resort town of Berchtesgaden, was the South German residence of Adolf Hitler, located under the very clouds - on one of the Alpine peaks.

Kitchen

Bavaria is famous throughout the world for its hospitality and cordiality: such huge portions, perhaps, are not found anywhere else. In general, Bavarian cuisine is quite simple. The most famous dish is fried pork with sauerkraut. Well, the famous Munich white sausages (Weisswursteln) and delicious salted pretzels (Bratze) have become the gastronomic symbols of Bavaria.

However, it is worth noting that the real picture of the gastronomic preferences of the Bavarians is quite far from the accepted patterns. This may seem strange, but the fact remains: of all German cities, residents of the beer capital consume the most wine per capita, as well as grappa, which indicates the special passion of the Bavarians for Italy. As the Germans themselves say, every Munich resident has his own little Italian restaurant on the corner. So Italian Cuisine represented in Bavaria in all its diversity.

Top 10 attractions in Bavaria

The Bavarian Alps

The Bavarian Alps stretch south from Munich to the Austrian border and from beautiful Lake Constance in the west to the area around Salzburg in the east. In some cases, the height of the mountains reaches 3000 meters, which is exactly the height of the most high mountain Germany - Zugspitze. The beauty of the Bavarian Alps is enhanced by deep glacial valleys and high plateaus with numerous lakes. In the Bavarian Alps they offer excursions of all types, from ordinary walking tours, including for family vacation and up to quite complex, almost sporty ones. Worth checking out is the Bertechsgaden National Park, the only park of its kind in the German Alps, whose plateau, the Untersberg, is a hiking paradise.

Lindau and Lake Constance)

Lindau, the most Big city on the Bavarian shore of Lake Constance, it consists of the picturesque Old Town on the island, the harbor and the Lindau Gardens. The harbor is a great place to enjoy the delights of Lake Constance, it is worth paying attention to the main attractions of Lindau - the Old Lighthouse and Magnturm, stone tower which was built in the 12th century, as part of the medieval fortifications of the city. Also of interest during city tours are the sculpture of the Bavarian Lion, symbol of the state of Bavaria, and the 33-meter high new lighthouse, both of which were built in 1856. Old city with many beautiful streets lined with Gothic and Renaissance style houses. Particularly attractive is the main street city, with its arches, fountains and cafes.


3. Zugspitze ( Zugspitze)

Mount Zugspitze is an iconic landmark of Bavaria, it is the highest point in Germany, its height is 2962 meters above sea level. The Zugspitze is part of the Wetterstein Alpine mountain range, which straddles the border between Austria and Germany. The mountain rises among steep valleys with beautiful lakes and forests, it is famous for its gilded cross and magnificent views. The top can be reached by cable car or by many hiking trails all levels to choose from. At an altitude of 2950 meters there is a restaurant with observation deck from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Bavarian landscape. The surrounding area of ​​Zugspitze offers many first-class ski resorts, which open their doors during the winter season.


4. Munich

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is the third largest city in Germany and a true gem sightseeing tour in Bavaria. The city on the Isar River on the edge of the Bavarian Alps is home to many cultural and historical attractions in Germany and is one of the most best places to get to know Bavaria. The central attraction of Munich is main square city, Marienplatz, it is surrounded by magnificent medieval houses, St. Peter's Church, built in the Romanesque style, Cathedral of Our Lady and the Church of St. Michael, the largest church north of the Alps in the Renaissance architectural style. Munich is also well known for its beautiful parks, including the English Garden, the world's largest urban public park.


The Bavarian Forest

The breathtaking Bavarian Forest stretches along the border between Germany and Czech Republic and covers Bavarian Forest National Park, as well as two others large park, the Bavarian Forest Nature Park and the East Bavarian National Park, is the largest protected area of ​​forest in Europe. Today the area is crossed by countless excellent walking routes, including leading to the 1455-meter peak of Mount Grand Arber, the most high peak a Bavarian-bohemian mountain range and home to one of Germany's most popular ski resorts.

Official website: nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de

The German Alpine Highway

One of the most amazing opportunities to get acquainted with the beauties and attractions of Bavaria is the German Alpine Highway, which was built in 1933 and is currently a 450-kilometer route from Lake Constance through the Allga and the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden. This is a popular way to see the most interesting places Bavaria, namely ancient castles and palaces of kings such as Ludwig II and Maximilian II, perennial forests and beautiful lakes, atmospheric villages and Romanesque houses in small towns, Gothic churches and cathedrals.

Official website: deutsche-alpenstrasse.de


7. Berchtesgaden ( Berchtesgaden)

The city of Berchtesgaden is located at the end of the German Alpine Highway and is one of the most popular resort towns in the Bavarian Alps. Surrounded by the Hocher Goll, Watzmann and Untersberg mountains, Berchtesgaden has been one of the main holiday centers for Germans for many centuries. When visiting the city, you should pay attention to beautiful palace Wittelsbach, originally an Augustinian house founded in 1100, it now houses a museum with a fine collection of weapons, furniture, porcelain and paintings. Also of interest is the private road built for Adolf Hitler, along which you can get to Kehlsteinhaus at an altitude of 1834 meters, where you will find a restaurant and magnificent panoramic views. Be sure to visit the beautiful lakes around the city.


Old Town Aschaffenburg)

The old town of Aschaffenburg in lower Franconia is located on the hilly right bank of the Main River and is dominated by ancient buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is here that you will find the Art Gallery with an impressive collection of Dutch and early German paintings, as well as the Palace Museum with a superb palace library and a number of magnificent state apartments. During a tour of the city, it is worth paying special attention to the 12th century Monastery Church of Saints Peter and Alexander.

Official website: schloesser.bayern.de


9. Mittenwald ( Mittenwald)

Mittenwald lies in the beautiful, sheltered Isar valley, framed to the south and west by forest, dominated by the Wetterstein peak. One of the most charming towns in the Bavarian Alps, Mittenwald is famous for its magnificent old houses with their unique frescoed exteriors, as well as the Baroque Parish Church with its painted tower. Built in 1745, it is famous for the statue of Matthias Klotz, who died here in 1743.

Amberg)

The old town of Amberg is still surrounded by medieval walls with towers and gates, and is a great place to get a real taste of old Bavaria. The center of Amberg's Old Town is the Market Square, and the highlight of the square is the 14th-century town hall with its exquisite Council Chambers and beautiful coffered ceilings. During the tour, do not miss the late Gothic Church of St. Martin, built in 1421, it is the most historically important Gothic church in the Upper Palatinate, after the cathedral Regensburg. Highlights include the 91-meter west tower, built in 1534, and the imposing monument to Count Palatine Ruprecht, who died in 1397.