Munich
Ump-Pa-Pa
Munich's legendary Hofbräuhaus is a must-see when visiting the Bavarian capital. The world's most famous tavern celebrated 400 years of massive one liter beer mugs, pale thighs wrapped in lederhosen and drunken song in June 2007.
Free Beer
Free beer in Munich? It doesn't get any better than that. Once a year the Bavarian breweries celebrate the anniversary of their state's beer purity laws, which were enacted April 23, 1513 and are still strictly observed today. Only water, malt, hops and yeast may be used in beer production in Bavaria and Germany, By the way, these servers are wearing "Dirndls," traditional Bavarian dresses, in honor of the celebration. Though Dirndls are not unseen in Bavaria, they aren't quite as common as many tourists think.
Skyscrapers Come Scarce
The city of Munich passed a law in 2004 stating that buildings could not be built higher than 100 meters (328 feet). The City Hall, "Old Peter" -- the oldest and most popular parish church in Munich -- and the Church of Our Lady are the tallest buildings in the city.
Blitz
This stormy night set Munich in an eerie glow, highlighting its tallest architectural treasures -- "Old Peter" Church, City Hall and the Church of Our Lady (from right).
Church of Our Lady
Munich's Church of Our Lady was built in the 15th century and is considered to be a landmark in the Bavarian capital. Its towers measure 99 meters each, just below the 100 meter limit for buildings in the city -- though the building was built long before the law was enacted and some believe the regulation came into being to protect the church's status as one of the city's highest structures.
Oktoberfest
Munich's Oktoberfest will celebrate its 174th anniversary in 2007. The world famous celebration attracts thousands of beer lovers from all over the globe each year for some two weeks worth of extreme over-refreshment.
Weißwurst
Weißwurst, or "white sausage," is a local specialty in Munich. Traditionally, it's eaten for breakfast along with sweet mustard, soft pretzels and Weizen beer so be sure to get your order in before noon. The sausage, which has to be carefully de-skinned before eating, was invented in 1857 by restaurant owner Sepp Moser.
Munich's Food Pyramid
Settle down in a beer garden with a cool stein of beer along with a soft, warm pretzel and only a sausage will be missing from the city's three major food groups.
National Theater
Munich's National Theater is pictured here shortly after its restoration in 1963. It had been destroyed 20 years earlier during World War II.
New Jewish Synagogue
After three years of construction, Munich's New Jewish Synagogue was inaugurated in November 2006.
The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum opened next to Munich's New Jewish Synogogue in March 2007. It encorporates three separate exhibition halls covering over 900 square meters (9,700 square feet).
FC Bayern Munich
Soccer fans won't be disappointed in Munich. The team boasts renowned players like goalie Oliver Kahn, defender Philipp Lahm, and forwards Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. The team's home stadium, the Allianz Arena (pictured here) opened in 2005.
Bavaria's Brunos
The 38-year-old Bruno is enjoying a tomato in his new enclosure in the Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich. The Orangutan house was rebuilt for some 5 million euros ($6.8 million) and reopened in July 2007. It's a considerable improvement compared with the fate of another famous Bavarian Bruno. Bruno the brown bear was killed in the Bavarian Alps and started a battle legal between Germany and Italy for the remains.
Summer Night's Dream
The "Summer Night's Dream" fireworks display took place on July 28, 2007 near the city's Olympic Park.