EN 
DE Walls, myths, monks
Munich in the Middle Ages
Impressions
Description:
Yes, sometimes you have to look very closely to find Munich's medieval roots! Since its founding in the 12th century, fashion-conscious rulers have happily rid themselves of the old walls, towers, moats, townhouses, and churches that had characterized the residence city of the Bavarian dukes.
Nevertheless, one encounters hidden clues everywhere as to what life must have been like amidst piety and the sale of indulgences, the salt road and monastery breweries, castle moats and Gothic mega-construction projects, leprosy and plague – today even odorless! Some of these centuries-old witnesses to history have even survived the destruction of war and still shape Munich's skyline today.
But beware! Not everything that looks medieval is real…
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Things were pretty "traditional" back then in the Middle Ages! This is demonstrated not only by the coopers, but also by the traces of many other craftsmen who shaped middle-class life in the Middle Ages. The bakers who were advised not to mix expensive flour with sawdust, the butchers who were forced to the outskirts of the city because of the mess, the dyers whose brew didn't exactly contribute to keeping the city's streams clean, and the many bricklayers who, when they weren't getting stuck in the mud with their carts, helped protect the city with countless bricks. You'll be amazed at all the places where bricks are hidden in Munich!
Our landmark, the Frauenkirche, is also built of brick – and when you gaze up at its characteristic green domes, you get a sense of how awed the citizens of Munich must have felt some 500 years ago. Especially if they had contributed significantly to its construction by purchasing indulgences! There were already enough churches and monasteries in such a small space, as is still clearly evident today from the many church steeples. Unfortunately, this did not protect the Jewish citizens from gruesome pogroms, as they were repeatedly used as scapegoats in Munich, too.
But above all, of course, reigned the Wittelsbach ruler – at that time still in the form of a duke, for only after the Middle Ages were descendants promoted to electors and kings! But wait, I almost forgot our emperor "Ludwig the Bavarian"! He ruled from a castle complex, the grounds of which are known today as the "Alter Hof" (Old Court), where one can take an idyllic break. A little later, the rulers were no longer safe from their own citizens and relocated the "new fortress" to the site where we can still admire the residence today.
As you can see, there was a lot going on, and I would like to take you on this exciting journey through time!
By the way, this tour is also suitable for our youngest children, who can then proudly share their knowledge from their local history and social studies classes.
At a glance:
Look forward to ornate facades, crooked arcades, ribbed vaults, grotesque gargoyles, oversized church windows, and plenty of medieval flair!
Get to know the oldest part of Munich's old town and stroll along the so-called "Heinrich's Egg" – even if historians throw up their hands at this expression!
Find out what life was like in the medieval streets of Munich, which were strangely protected by a bearded African patron saint.
The most important things in brief:
Meeting point:
As always, we would be happy to come to your hotel or according to your personal wishes;
Marienplatz (U3/U6 and all S-Bahn lines) is of course particularly suitable as a starting point.
Duration:
Bookable as a 2 or 3-hour tour
Distance:
approx. 2-3 km
Group size:
max. 25 people
Tailor-made:
What is absolutely essential for you to experience? Let me know and we'll make the tour a truly personal experience for you!
Member of the Munich Tourist Guide Association eV
Member of the TIM Tourism Initiative Munich
"Grit and I have known each other for a few years now. We met when she stopped by our Christmas market with her Schmankerln tours. There are some people who just click, and that was the case with Grit and me. I love her warm, fresh, direct, professional, and open manner.
Over time, a friendly relationship has developed that extends beyond the tours, which I greatly appreciate. It's always a highlight for me when she visits me with her guests or stops by for a private chat."
Markus Kaiser (Almond Hans)
My tips for before and after our tour:
If you've developed a taste for the Dark Ages, then I recommend the Munich City Museum. Unfortunately, the museum is closed for renovations and new construction for a few more years, but even the small exhibition "„What the City“There are many interesting objects that will remind you of our guided tour together. Especially the famous city model, which shows you Munich shortly after the Middle Ages.”.
Or you can visit the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, which was established in one of Munich's oldest residential buildings. It even still contains a medieval "stairway to heaven".
Perhaps you'd like a change of pace? Munich also has a lot to offer in terms of modern architecture!
Frequently asked questions:
Will we also see the famous town hall carillon at Marienplatz on the tour?
Is a stop at the information point in the Alter Hof planned during the tour?
Can I have a snack during the tour?
Still questions?
Write to me or just call me:
Grit Ranft
and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial