View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Postcard from Munich
Munich’s another of my regular stomping grounds. I know it well so any trip here gives me a welcome opportunity to check out some of my favourite haunts and see what has changed since my last visit in December 2017. I was particularly keen to see the area behind Marienplatz which has been under reconstruction for some time and would surely be finished by now.
When you say “Munich” most people think of the Oktoberfest (Beer Festival) or the Marienplatz, home to its Christmas market, a large open square named after the Mariensäule, the column in its centre, flanked by the Old and New Town Halls. One of the most famous features of the latter is its elaborate Glockenspiel cuckoo clock where a carousel of figures dance at 11:00am, midday and 05:00pm.
Torrential rain meant my trip to Munich took an unexpected turn. My beloved had dropped me off at the Bayerische Hotel (header photo) where, after using their facilities, I walked out with one of its loan brollies. However, not even this, combined with my raincoat, was sufficient to keep the pouring rain at bay.
Fortunately, many of Munich’s shops are in small undercover galleries and arcades but once those were exhausted I decided to pop into one of Munich’s many art museums to shelter from the rain and see an exhibition of Japanese armour. The gallery was largely empty – just the way I like it – and the exhibition was absolutely fascinating!
The collection was started by Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, a Swiss property developer, now based in Dallas who, with his wife, has carefully amassed the collection over the past 25 years. Art collecting is a family tradition, with four generations of avid art collectors who’ve previously established museums in Europe and South Africa, prior to the one in Dallas, which focus on ancient and non-western art and African gold.
I often wonder what it would be like to amass my own private art collection and donate it to a museum for others to enjoy in perpetuity? Sadly, I will need much deeper pockets than I possess to achieve this.
After I’d whiled away a few hours at the exhibition, the rain had abated sufficiently for me to investigate progress on the works for another underground line opposite Dallmayr and behind the Town Hall. I’ll be honest, it looked pretty much as it did two years ago. I can only assume that they’ve uncovered some important archeological remains which have slowed progress on the project to a snail’s pace. Either that or they’re using the same contractors who are undertaking Crossrail in London!
Now, the thorny question of where to have lunch. It’s Spargelzeit (asparagus time) in Germany but they (sadly) are most often anointed in melted butter or hollandaise sauce (eggs and butter) so I settled for a selection of salmon and salad at Dallmayr with a glass of Prosecco.
While I’d been enjoying lunch, the heavens had once more opened so I legged it back to the hotel to return their umbrella where I lingered over a pot of coffee in the lounge until my beloved picked me up. Not quite what I’d expected but a delightful day nonetheless.
oh my, such beautiful pictures. Makes me want to come visit there.
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indeed beautiful pictures… Oh so many invitations even to the beer festival and not yet there…more to see pending. cheers
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My husband’s been to the Oktoberfest many times but I never have – don’t like beer or crowfs.
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I have been invited to the tents but always something else i would had love it.
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You certainly have a wonderful life. Beautiful photos
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I do don’t I. Thanks.
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The Samurai stuff looks really interesting, but I must confess I have never been remotely interested in visiting Germany, not a single part of it. I once stayed in Frankfurt for a night courtesy of a Lufthansa cock up over a flight from Heathrow to Kathmandu and that was it!
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Well, each to their own.
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That looks lovely. My husband spend several years in Germany. I have never been. It looks lovely.
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It’s very underated in terms of a holiday destination but it’s well worth a visit.
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Visited last years. I could not see festival🙈
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I’ve never been to Oktoberfest as I don’t like beer, or crowds. My husband has been and he says it’s a great experience but you need to go with a crowd of friends.
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I need to get Berlin sorted before I try another German city.
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True! But then you need to visit Munich and Hamburg.
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Thanks Sheree, I will report back on Berlin when I go in December!
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My My Marienplatz has brought back a flood of memories from many many moons ago … thanks for the trip 🙂
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You’re welcome
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Fascinating, well photographed, tour
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Thank you Derrick
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Wonderful material, dear ! Thank you.
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Thank you for your kind words
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