Europe 2015: Munich

We arrive at the Munich central station after spending the night on the overnight train from Amsterdam. Munich is a romantic old world city and one of the favourites (on the journey so far).

We visit the city with Rick Steves and start off at the Marienplatz (Mary's Square). One side of the square is the New Town Hall, complete with a 280-foot spire. While it looks medieval, the New Town Hall was actually built in the late 1800s. It is famous for its glockenspiel, whose characters and music tells a story of a noble wedding procession. At the very top of the steeple is the statue of a child with outstretched arms, dressed in monk's clothing and holding a book. This is the Munchner Kindl (Munich Child), a symbol of the city and is used generously in ad campaigns. We take the elevator up to the top of the New Town Hall for some stunning views of the city.

The centre of Marienplatz is a statue of the Virgin Mary, who the square is named after. Made in 1590, it was the rallying point in the religious wars of the Reformation. Quite of the opposite of Amsterdam, Munich was a bastion of Catholicism "against the heresies of Martin Luther" and protestants were not allowed to worship openly until about 1800. And quite fittingly so, our next stop is St Peter's Church.

Dating back to 1368, St Peter's Church is the oldest church in town, replacing the original monastery which used to stand in its place. The tiny town got its name from the monks or "Munchen" living at the church when it used to be a monastery - which is why the symbol of the city is a little monk. Only a fraction taller than the New Town Hall, St Peter's spire reaches 300 ft. Surrounding the church are 16th and 17th century tombstones plastered into the wall. Originally, townspeople were buried in the holy ground but were removed and relocated for hygienic and practical space reasons, while the tombstones are kept here as a reminder. We head into the church for a quick look. A mass is taking place as we enter and we are lucky to experience the combination of a gregorian choir singing as the morning sun streamed into the church.

As we continue to explore Munich, one of our next stops is the Asam Church, built in 1970 by the brothers Comas and Egid Asam. The church is only 30 feet wide and served no only as a private chapel to the brothers, but also as a model church, where the brothers could show off their work to potential customers. The brothers were apparently very good at making things appear grander than they were. The church has a faux domed ceiling, an alabaster alter that is really glass, and wooden marble columns. The church us still fully operational and a mass was ending just as we arrived, so we were fortunate enough to head inside for a look around.

Our next religious stop for the day is St Michael's Church. Mass is taking place so it was one quick photo before heading over to our final religious sight for the day (but certainly not our last for the trip!), the Frauenkirche.

Construction of The Frauenkirche commenced in 1466 and was completed in 1488 in the Gothic-style that was taking over Munich during that time. The uniqueness of The Frauenkirche are its twin domes - unusual for most Gothic church which usually have pointed steeples or square towers. Rick Steve's tells us that it may be because the designers were inspired by the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, or that the domes were not added until the Renaissance era when they became fashionable. Based on its name, you can tell that the church is dedicated to the Virgin - Our Lady. Compared to the other churches we have visited today, the interior is simple and understated with white pillars leading up to the high ceiling with low hanging lights. Before we leave, we head over to a plaque on the wall, bearing the face of Joseph Ratzinger, born in Bavaria in 1927. Joseph was the archbishop of The Frauenkirche from 1977 to 1982 before moving to Vatican City to join Pope John Paul II's inner circle. Later in 2005, he would be come known as Pope Benedict XVI, probably the most famous for being the second pope to resign from his post in 2013, due to old age.

Weary and worn out, it is time for a lunch stop at the Hofbrauhaus. A traditional beer tavern, complete with live music.

Our next stop after lunch is the Munich Residenz, the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs of the House of Wittelsbach (how very GoT). The Residenz is the largest city palace in Germany and is known for its architecture, decorations and displays from former royal collections. We take a gander but find that the Residenz is not really our cup of tea. What is our cup of tea is the Medieval Christmas Market around the corner! The Medieval Christmas Market (like a lot of the other Christmas Markets) is a bustling place with folks huddles around steaming mugs / glasses of alcoholic hot christmas nogs and hot chocolates. Given that it is a "market" one of the things that surprises us is how clean it is. What we realise is that each christmas market (not just this one, all of them throughout Europe) will serve their drinks in a standard christmas mug or glass (one design per market almost). When you are done with your drink, you can return your vessel for a 2 euro refund, or you can take your cup home as a souvenior. Apart from this discovery, it is also here at the Medieval Christmas market that I find my love for Chimney Cake.

Exterior shot of the Munich Residenz for good measure.

Entrance to the Medieval Christmas Market and Tim with our Grog - Ho Ho Ho!

CHIMNEY CAKE!

After the Medieval Market, we start making our way back towards our hotel. Stopping in a local square to listen to a basking team play Pachelbel's Canon.

And of course on our way back we pass through the Christmas Market outside the town hall for more nom noms!