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History & Evolution
The settlement in Munich dates back to Roman times but 8th century Benedictine monks get the credit for putting the city on the map. However, official birth date of the city is 1158, when Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony & Bavaria founded it near a settlement (Munichen) that was established in Carolingian times.

Munich became the residence of the Wittelsbach (dukes of Bavarians) in 1255, and later became (1506) the capital of the dukedom.

From 1563 onwards, the city became the victim of anti-reformation agitation and during the Thirty Years War, it was occupied (1632) by Gustavus II of Sweden when Bavaria became an electorate.

In 1806 the city was made capital of the kingdom of Bavaria and under the subsequent kings like Louis I (1825–48), Maximilian II (1848–64) & Louis II (1864–86), Munich became a cultural and artistic center.

After World War I, the National Socialism (Nazism) crept into the city but Adolf Hitler failed in his attempted Munich “beer-hall putsch” (coup aimed at Bavarian government). Despite this, Munich was made the headquarters of the Nazi party, which in 1933 took control of the German national government

Again the city was badly damaged during World War II. In 1945 American troops marched into the town further destroying it but the city was extensively rebuilt and many modern buildings were constructed under a regressive reconstruction program to preserve the historical areas.

In the following years Munich became one of the most desirable cities in Germany and today is counted 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".

Site-Seeing
The heaven for all sorts of culture, with an astonishing array of museums, vibrant art scenes and frolics of festivals, Munich is perhaps the most charming city of Germany. The old is elegantly interspersed with the new in the city further adding to its charm.

Though a compact city, Munich can easily consume your several weeks with its grand avenues and spacious squares that recall the glory of Bavaria's monarchy.

Marienplatz:
The heart of the city since its foundation in 1158, Marienplatz is the site of the most important historic buildings of Munich. For centuries, the place was known as ‘Schrannenmarkt’ meaning a vibrant farmer’s market but was renamed as Marienplatz in 1854 after the statue of Virgin Mary was incorporated in the center.

The Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, built in 19th century dominates the square. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day with its 43 bells accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vingnettes from Munich’s history.

The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift a toy museum worth exploring. While the other must-see in the square is the Frauenkirche, a cathedral built between 15th-16th centuries. The cathedral houses the tomb of Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian, and the legendary ‘Devil’s Footprint’ embedded in the church floor.

The area is also a major hub for the urban transport network.

Location: Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz..
Deutsches Museum (German Museum):
Located in Haidhausen, the Deutsches Museum is one of the largest science & technology museums in the world. This entertaining and educational museum has interactive sections for natural science, engineering and construction virtually covering any aspect of science you can think of.

The museum has everything from Stone Age tools to modern computers distributed over 6 floors, 24 km of exhibits and 30 departments.

The prominent displays include vehicles, locomotives and aircraft. Also part of the Deutsches Museum is an IMAX theatre that shows adventure & nature films together with a planetarium, the most technically advanced in Europe.

Location: Museumsinse l

Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg):
Originally a summer home for a Munich aristocracy, Nymphenburg Palace was built in 17th & 19th centuries and is located on the western edge of Munich.

The highlights of the complex includes the Hall of Stone and a ‘Gallery of Beauties' exhibiting portraits of beautiful women commissioned by Ludwig I. While the extensive grounds contain four miniature palaces within their landscaped confines, one of which is the most attractive rococo palace in Germany.

The palace also includes the Marstallmuseum, which houses royal coaches and riding equipment, as well as Bauml Collection of Nymphenburg porcelain dating back from 1747 to 1920s.

Location: Eingang 19

Alte Pinakothek:
The renowned art museum of Munich, Alte Pinakothek is one of the most important museum of Germany featuring the work of the greatest European artists from 14th to 18th centuries displaying nearly 1,000 paintings. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms and thus requiring a great deal of time to explore.

Collections are divided on two floors of a large neo-classical building and the highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian.

The museum’s building itself is an extremely impressive structure built by Von Klenze between 1826 & 1836 to house Duke Wilhelm IV’s collection of old masters.

Location: Barerstrasse 27

English Garden (Englischer Garten):
The huge park with acres and acres of greenery, interspersed with various kinds of constructions, the English Garden is the largest urban park in Germany.

Undoubtedly a pleasant escape from the hustle-bustle of the busy city, this garden includes several attracts as well like a lake, where you can go boating, a Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) with its great beer garden, a Japanese Teahouse and the Monopteros, a Greek-style temple.

Location: Haus der Kunst, Prinzregentenstrasse