Bogenhausen and Art Nouveau

Shortly after 1900, a new bridge, along with the magnificent Prinzregententheater, attracted more and more wealthy citizens to the eastern bank of the Isar. And on the spacious plots, the primary goal was to create a refuge befitting their social standing. Whether high-ranking civil servants, manufacturers, scientists, or cultural figures such as painters, writers, and artistic directors, they all wanted one thing above all else with their new home: to represent their identity! We can still draw inspiration from this on our walk today, as these Wilhelminian-era villas remain a delight!

In stark contrast to Schwabing, where we primarily encounter apartment buildings divided into separate units, the residential district of Bogenhausen also captivates with its impressive gardens, often with matching coach houses – always worth a visit no matter the season! The tranquility of the streets is largely thanks to Theodor Fischer's concept of "picturesque town planning," whose brilliant ideas are particularly evident in Bogenhausen. But not only the villas, but also an impressive ensemble of Art Nouveau terraced houses lies along our route – I'll tell you right here that this is one of my absolute favorite streets in all of Munich.

Even though comparisons with the originals in some places reveal that Art Nouveau architecture was considered old-fashioned and unfashionable, especially after the war, many of the buildings are now in excellent condition. Yet the artists of that time were not only concerned with architecture; they were also interested in a new attitude to life, affecting many areas of existence. Thus, Bogenhausen offers a good opportunity to explore the new ideas of the time, whether artistic freedom or the reform movement, fashion, dance, or women's emancipation.

I would be delighted to share some of my enthusiasm for this topic with you!