Munich
Munich – a short introduction
On 14th June 1158 the settlement of "Munichen" was granted the right to hold markets and to mint coins. Munich was given the status of a town (civitas) in 1214. In 1255 it became the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty. In 1632 Munich was occupied by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in the Thirty Years' War. Under King Ludwig I (25th August 1786 – 29th Februar 1868) famous buildings were erected the Glyptothek, the Old and New Pinakotheks, the Royal Residence, the Feldherrnhalle, Siegestor (Triumphal Arch) etc. thus turning Munich into a major cultural centre in Europe. On 7th November 1918 Kurt Eisner proclaimed the Free State of Bavaria. In 1957 Munich' s millionth inhabitant was born. In 1972 Munich was the venue of the XXth Summer Olympic Games, and in 2006 one of the venues of the Football World Cup.
The Bavarian Metropolis with its 1.3 million inhabitants lies virtually at the centre of Europe and is easy to access, either by high-speed trains, by motorway, or through a large international airport. It also has a dense network of modern and affordable public transportation, with buses, an underground system, trams and suburban trains. All major sights are at walking distance from each other. As for the Alps, they are at a stone's throw and attract day-trippers all year round: in the warm season between May and September for paragliding, hiking, mountain climbing or mountain biking, and in the cold season between November and March for fun on snow and ice.
Munich – the world city of beer
The big city atmosphere and rural charm, art treasures, customs and high-tech: This very special "Munich mix" has helped the capital of Bavaria to achieve world renown. But what adds the final touch to the city's popularity is the drink that is associated with Munich throughout the world: beer.
Internationally Munich is undoubtedly the Number One beer metropolis. The Oktoberfest, a festival of Munich's beer and one of the Bavarian capital's trade marks, is a household term in all parts of the world. It is not without good reason that there are around 3,000 "sister" Oktoberfests spread out all over the world. And who doesn't dream of experiencing the original in Munich sometime in their life or at least of visiting the "beer Mecca" one day? There are opportunities for revelling in the joys of Munich's beer on the River Isar at all times of the year.
However, Munich also has an international reputation as a metropolis of art and culture.
Munich – City of culture
Culture in the Isar metropolis is particularly diverse. Besides Germany's most renowned, large stages, its music scene ranges from classical to jazz and pop, and is always open to the latest trends, and its museum landscape impresses you with its outstanding collections.
Whoever takes a closer look at the history of Bavaria and Munich will soon find out that the conservation of art and culture has always been given high priority here. The more than 700 years of rule by the Wittelsbach family gave the trading and residential city of Munich its present-day importance as a centre of European culture. King Ludwig I of Bavaria deserves special mention here. During the regency of this "Prince of the Muses", many of Munich's sights were built, such as the Glyptothek, the Old Pinakothek, the Generals' Hall (Feldherrnhalle) and St. Ludwig's Church.
Museums and Galleries
The inventories of Munich's museums and galleries are among the most important in the world. From the times of classical antiquity through the Middle Ages and up to the present day one can view, study or simply enjoy whatever takes one's fancy and appeals to one's thirst for knowledge.
The entire palette of European culture can be admired in over 40 museums and collections and over 70 galleries.
Theatres and concerts
Some 58 large and small theatres offer a varied programme. The world's greatest opera and ballet stars appear in the National Theatre. During the summer, the famous Opera Festival performances attract thousands of visitors.
Munich – A popular city for tourism
Munich offers about 355 hotels and pensions with about 45,500 hotel beds. 4.4 million tourists booked 8.9 million overnight stays in 2006. The proportion of guests from abroad was 47,2%, an indication of the international character of tourism in Munich. Most of the foreign visitors came from the USA, followed by Italy, Great Britain, Austria and Switzerland.
Beside the 4.4 million guests staying overnight in hotels and guesthouses about the same number of non officially registered guests staying overnight with friends or relatives can be assumed. In addition about 87 million day visitors came to Munich in 2006.
Altogether there is a net economic value resulting from tourism for the city of some € 5.8 billion (figure based on the study of the “Deutsches Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Institut für Fremdenverkehr” at the Munich university and the extrapolation of the Munich Tourist Office) in 2006.
No city break is complete without a good long stroll through the shops. And Munich offers absolutely ideal conditions for a great big splurge: haute couture in the Maximilianstrasse, Theatinerstrasse, Residenzstrasse and Brienner Strasse, department and chain stores in the pedestrian precinct, trendy and flamboyant clothes between many galleries in such town districts as the Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbach area, Haidhausen or Schwabing, Bavarian local costumes, handicrafts and souvenirs in specialist shops, delicacies from all over the world at Dallmayr's or Käfer's, the leading delicatessens in Europe, or at the Victuals Market in the heart of the city. Another typical feature of Munich is the number of small shops that concentrate on a few articles, for example, umbrellas, felt, gloves, candles or wood carvings, and which are still to be found in the centre of town.
Most shoppers make a beeline for the central pedestrian precinct in the old town centre (Kaufingerstrasse, Neuhauser Strasse, Marienplatz). Here you can explore one big department store after the other, stroll through branches of well-known chains for fashion and shoes and meanwhile discover souvenir shops.
For further press information please visit 
muenchen.de.
Source: Tourist Office Munich