Christmas Markets | Traipsing Troubadours

Although the main focus of our five-day trip to Munich was visiting Crazy King Ludwig’s castle and experiencing the Christmas markets, we found time to get a “taste” of Munich and see some other interesting sights around the town centre.

: Just down the street from our apartment was the Viktualienmarkt or Farmers Market, the oldest market in the city.

: Viktualienmarkt

: Viktualienmarkt

: We were surprised to discover some pretty exotic fruit.

: The Old City Hall

: The New City Hall in Marienplatz. The Frauenkirsch or Cathedral of Our Lady is in the background with the green-topped towers.

: Twice each day in the winter, the glockenspiel in the tower would go around to the delight of the gathered crowds.

: We saw many pretty churches. St. Peter’s is the oldest.

: Inside is the glass coffin bearing the skeleton of a bejeweled Saint Munditia. She is the patron saint of spinsters.

: On a nearby side street was one of the most incredible churches we’ve ever seen. St. Johann-Nepomuk Church (“Asam Church”) was once the private church of the famous artists/brothers C.D. and E.Q. Asam. It ranks among the finest Rococo style churches in the world. To the left of the church is the home of E.Q. Asam.

: Asam Church

: Asam Church

: The Royal residence

: Outside was a picture of Frank’s fav, Crazy King Ludwig, but that’s a whole other post!

: My dad wanted me to connect with my 25% German heritage. Well, this is as close as I got! Even more connection to my brother Peter!

: Munich had some lovely pedestrian streets with fabulous shopping.

: And, of course, there were many good German restaurants!

: German food is comfort food — goulash, spaetzle, wiener schnitzel, sausage — and there were many good restaurants in our area.

: We were surprised by the abundance of bake shops and vendors selling fried donuts (schmalzkuchen), strudel and other sweet treats.

: We were also surprised to see this tribute to a favorite Munich celebrity, Michael Jackson. It sits in front of the Bayerscher Hotel, which has no relationship to the King of Pop. What it does have is a 7th floor Polar Bar.