Classroom

Historically, this is the lake where King Ludwig II drowned of mysterious causes in 1886 near the village of Berg. As we learned through our tours of Neuschwandstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, King Ludwig II preferred a quiet country view to living in the busy city of Munich, where he was born at Nymphenburg Palace in 1485. He also enjoyed visiting Rose Island, the only island in Starnberger See.The lake lies in a glacial hollow and is about 21 km long and between 3-5 km wide. The lake used to be known as Würm Lake (after the river that is drains into), but was changed to Starnberger Lake in 1962 after the railway connection from Munich was built.

Walking on the greenway- the bridge was up for the sailboat

Starnberger See is a lake that is a direct, 30 minute S6 train ride (20 Minutes on the RB6) southwest from Munich Central Station. If you're looking for a short day trip to get out of the city, this is an incredibly easy experience! The train stops at the water's edge and there is a greenway that hugs the northern most arm of the lake as soon as you go under the tunnel. This area is also known well by cyclists as it is a 46 km ride around the lake. There are many waterfront restaurants, beer gardens, parks, and places to swim.

Starnberger See (Lake)

This tour was created by a group of educators from North Carolina who participated in the CIDRE study abroad program in summer 2022 in Munich. Given the rich outdoor culture and many garden spots that Munich is known for, each teacher was asked to identify a site that represented Munich's outdoor culture, research that site, and add a waypoint to this group-created tour. 

Outdoor Culture of München

Like today, the original patrons of the market (prior to it being named Marienplatz) were able to find food to enjoy. "Eggs, flour, wine...and fish" (Mueunchen.de) were staples that were bought and sold at this location, where few roads met. Over time, the market transitioned into a center with a high number of heavily-trafficked roads. In the late 20th century, the city center was redesigned to reduce vehicular passage and make the location easily accessible to pedestrians. Today, visitors to Marienplatz can once again enjoy culinary treats. The city center was officially dubbed Marienplatz in 1854, in gratitude to the Virgin Mary after the city had survived a cholera epidemic (Simply Munich). Towering over the surrounding buildings, the New Town Hall is the structure that initially draws attention from its imposing and impressive architecture. The Neo-Gothic style hall, completed in 1905, boasts tall towers, crosses, sculptures, and scenes that honor figures from both biblical and folk stories. With the varied placement of its features, the design creates a contrast of light and shadow that continues to shift with the placement of the sun in the sky. At the center of the New Town Hall is the Glockenspiel, a clock placed above two levels of figurines that rotate two to three specific times a day. The top level shows a horserace that occurred during the 1568 wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine. The lower level depicts the Schafflertanz, which was performed during a celebration of the survival of a plague in 1517. (Munich Tourist Info) Crowds stop in awe as history comes to life in the New Town Hall! The hall does not only preserve history but serves as a functional part of the Bavarian government today. Over six hundred people work in the New Town Hall, where many governmental decisions are made and implemented.The Old Town Hall remains standing in Marienplatz after being partially reconstructed after damage sustained during World War II. Although government offices are no longer located in this hall, it remains a vital part of Munich's history and culture today. Historically, the hall commemorates King Ludwig and Henry the Lion through statues. Relics of Bavarian leaders remain in the ballroom within the hall. Contemporarily, the hall has converted its lower portion into a Spielzeugmuseum. Visitors of all ages marvel at the toys of days gone by, bringing a fun history into modern times. (Meunchen.de)Alongside the shops and the halls stands the oldest church in Munich, St. Peter's Church. Outside, visitors can admire the Gothic and Baroque architecture while listening to some of the oldest bells in the city. Inside, one can view art and sculptures that reflect the values of the history of Munich and the Catholic Church. The public can even climb around 300 steps to take in a view of Marienplatz and beyond from the top of the church! Marienplatz today is a modern metropolis of shops, food, and social life. The interactive relics of history, from halls old and new and churches that open wide its doors, honor the history of Munich while teaching it to future generations. Marienplatz helps to create a collective memory that blends the past and present into the unique culture that Munich embodies today. (Muenchen.de)

As global citizens and locals alike approach Marienplatz, they can hear the bustle of the crowd before they even see the towers of the monumental structures that crest the surrounding buildings. Like many European city centers, patrons of Marienplatz can enjoy a beer outside with old and new friends, find new trends in stylish fashion boutiques, and snag a souvenir for a loved one from a toy store. Unique to Marienplatz, however, is the historically significant architectural and artistic contributions that abound in the square. The architecture and art of Marienplatz reveal an important history of Munich if one knows how to "read" the story embedded in the square.

Marienplatz

St. Peter's is the oldest parish church in Munich. Munchen, "home of the monks", originally started as a settlement in the area around a monastery which stood in the original location of St. Peter's church. The monastery was replaced by St. Peter's Church in 1158. The church was later rebuilt in 1368 after being destroyed by fire in 1327. The church and its tower were destroyed again by World War 2 air raids and later rebuilt and restored. Alter Peter, as the tower is known by locals, is located just behind Marienplatz and is known for one of the best views in Munich's Old Town. St. Peter's Tower stands 91 meters tall with 360 degree views of the city. Not only does the tower offer incredible views of the town and even views of the nearby Alps, but it houses eight bells and serves as a clocktower. The bells and clocktower were also the first to exist in Munich. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy views of the town if they are up for tackling 306 steps.

At 91 meters tall, St. Peter's Tower (Alter Peter or Old Pete, as it is called by locals) offers the best views of Munich's Old Town. St. Peter's Church has been rebuilt more than once due to a fire in 1327 and then air raid damage during World War II. The church was originally built in the Bavarian Romanesque style and has since expanded to include Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. The church spire, which dominates the skyline of Old Town, adds a touch of Renaissance style.

St. Peter's Tower (Alter Peter)

The Viktaulienmarkt is located in the heart of Munich. The market is part of Old Town and has been in operation for over two hundred years. The market was originally located in Marienplatz, but has since outgrown the square and is now located next to Marienplatz. Whether you are a local or a visitor, the Viktaulienmarkt immerses you in Bavarian culture.For the locals, the market serves two purposes - fresh food and community. Over 140 vendors are located in the square. Locals can find fresh foods or can visit one of the many snack vendors. Traditional German foods fill the square and are available throughout the market. The market provides a real sense of community. Long, wooden tables strewn the beer garden found at the center of the market. Locals meet up here to break bread and enjoy a freshly poured beer.For the visitors, there are many sites to take in. A large maypole stands at the center of the market introducing visitors to the trades and crafts of the locals. Stands sell many of the hand-made products produced in Bavaria. Many visitors find themselves buying a wooden carved meat board or a German "welcome" sign for their front door at home. The market also provides visitors the opportunity to try traditional German foods and truly enjoy the German culture.Whether you have lived in Munich all of your life or just visited for the day, Viktaulienmarkt is a piece of Bavarian history that lives on today.

The Viktaulienmarkt, or Victuals Market, is part of Munich's Old Town. Located adjacent to Marienplatz the market is a thriving area to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat. The market is not limited to food, plenty of vendors sell plants and flowers as well. The market is also home to many shops selling locally prepared foods. Tables are set up throughout the market inviting visitors to stop for a snack, beer, and conversation.

Viktaulienmarkt

The owner, Matthias Münz, was truly inpspired to open his ice cream parlors simply through his love of ice cream. He would frequently order 7 scoops of ice cream as a child, and eventually discovered his favorite ice cream during his summers in Italy. He went on to attend Università dei Sapori in Perugia to formally learn the art of ice cream making and worked in several ice cream parlors to learn the business. The shop is whimsically inpired by Alice in Wonderland with colorful murals and light fixtures. There is a walk-up window to easily and quickly serve guests from the sidewalk. It is located near museums, local shops, and restaurants, making it an easy stop for both tourists and locals. It was awarded "Best Ice Cream Parlor in German" by Tripadvisor in 2014 and "Best Ice Cream Parlor in Germany" by Check 24 in 2017.Der verrückte Eismacher does not serve standard ice cream flavors. "The Crazy Ice Cream Maker" prides itself on serving "different, cold taste explosions on your tongues" with a varity of extravagant flavors. Some of these flavors feature a twist on standard ice cream, such as Strawberry Basil, Vanilla Explosion, and Cherry Banana. However, the shop is known for their unique flavors including Beer and Gorgonzola. The shop has a selection of about 14 different flavors on a given day, but will periodically change the flavors to serve different combinations of the 60+ flavors that have been created.

Der verrückte Eismacher, or "The Crazy Ice Cream Maker," is a whimsical ice cream shop in Munich. Visitors can select from a variety of unique ice cream flavors to enjoy in a cup or cone. The walk-up window makes it a quick stop that both tourists and locals can enjoy. There are two additional locations in Munich.

Der verrückte Eismacher

The Wiesn’s largest event and the world’s largest public festival, Oktoberfest, begins in mid-to late September and lasts about two weeks. However, construction for the event begins in early July. Before 1810, the Theresienwiese was seen as nothing more than a grassy area at the “gates of Munich”. It wasn’t until October 17th of that year when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (who later became King Ludwig I) organized a horse race on a section of the meadow as part of his wedding to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Roughly 50,000 spectators attended to watch the race on a slope above the meadow, which was named "Theresiens Wiese" (Theresien's Meadow) in honor of the bride (with royal permission, of course). The following year, 1811, a follow-up race was organized and the tradition of the Oktoberfest was born. When the festival isn’t happening and no other events are scheduled to use the area, Munich residents can be found lounging in the grass, walking their dogs, flying kites and just enjoying the wide grassy oasis within the heart of the city.

Theresienwiese, also known as the Oktoberfest Park and “The Wiesn”, is famous across the world for its events. It spans 42 hectares, which is roughly the size of 60 soccer fields. The space was named after Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, the wife of King Ludwig I. Since 1810, events have been held at the The Wiesn, the first being in celebration of Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and King Ludwig I’s wedding. This celebration would eventually be known as Oktoberfest.

Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest Park)

Practically every visitor will pass through Karlsplatz in Munich at least once during their visit as they head to Marienplatz to sightsee, go shopping on the pedestrian mall, or hop on an U-Bahn or Straßenbahn near Sonnenstraße.. Karlsplatz was originally called "Neuhauser Tor," as the Munich-Neuhausen road went through here. In 1791 it was renamed after Elector Karl Theodor. Karl Theodor, however, was not very popular, so Munich locals seldom used that name and called the square Stachus--after a pub called Beim Stachus that had been located on that spot.Surrounding Karlsplatz is the gothic Karlstor, built in the 14th century and one of three remaining medieval city gates in Munich. Curved buildings built by Gabriel von Seidl (1899-1902) stand on either side of the Karlstor. On the opposite side of the street is the neo-baroque Justizpalast (Palace of Justice) and the Kaufhof, the first post WW2 department store in Munich.Until Neuhauser Straße's pedestrian zone was created in 1972 for the Munich Olympics, cars and streetcars drove over Karlsplatz, through the Karlstor and straight onto Neuhauser Straße. Today in the summer people cool off by sitting or stepping into the fountain spray at Karlsplatz; in the winter Karlsplatz is turned into he Munich "Eiszauber" (Ice Magic) and people can ice skate here.

Karlsplatz (also called Stachus by locals) is a major transportation and pedestrian square in Munich with a long history. While the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, busses, and streetcars all pass through Karlsplatz, it is also a meeting place, a social destination, and a marker for the begining of a busy Munich shopping district, Neuhauser Straße.

Karlsplatz (Stachus)

Another one of the special features to this location is the beer garden next door that has 7,000 seats, making it the 2nd largest beer garden in Munich. There they serve what you can only guess.. Munich's own Hofbräu beer. This spot in the English garden is a popular meeting point during the summer for both locals and tourists. When visiting this location, we noticed the table seated next to us had a wonderful blue and white table cloth along with a full picnic basket. Apparently, as with all beer gardens, you are allowed to bring your own food, but all drinks have to come from the bar. One of the biggest events held at the Chinese Tower is an event called the Kocherball which is held on the third Sunday of July. This is when men and women come dressed in traditional Bavarian dress and dance along to waltz music and folk dances. If you are looking for a daytime, or evening, spot to hangout with friends, then this is the spot for you!

One of the most fun and lively sections within the Englische Garten is a building reminiscent of a Chinese temple, called the "Chinesischer Turm", or Chinese Tower. Built between 1789 and 1792 and reconstructed in 1952 after is seen as a "landmark of the English Garden". In 1960, the tower was finally reopened to the public, even though public guests are denied entry into the actual tower. The only people to be seen regularly in the tower are the brass band players that can be heard playing for the public. However, there are some rare cases of people that have been allowed into the tower including a group of 15 people who were given a guided tour on September 6, 2002 for the 50th anniversary of the rebuilding.

Chinesischer Turm

The English Garden in Munich is one of the more popular and largest parks in the city. The northern section of the English Garden is noted as more quiet and better for tranquility and exercise such as walking and yoga, and includes the popular Kleinhesseloher See (lake) with row and pedal boats. The southern section of the park is more active with a popular beer garden around the Chinese Tower. The garden includes several notable structures including: the Monopteros (Greek-style temple) atop a man-made hill with views below; a Chinese pagoda with five levels dating to 1789 and setting the backdrop for a popular beer garden; a Japanese tea house; and the Rumfordschlössl cultural meeting house.The garden is a popular spot for recreation and sports with 48 miles of pathways to explore. Park guests can be seen playing frisbee, balancing on slack lines hung from trees, practicing tai chi, and even surfing a section of rapids along the Eisbach branch off of the Isar River. After a little physical activity, two beer gardens at the Chinese Pagoda and Seehaus Restaurant near Kleinhesseloher See can be accessed for food and drink.The garden is host to several annual events, including: the Kochlerball on the third Sunday in July when locals meet at dawn to engage in folk dancing throughout the morning in homage to domestic servants who did the same before work; Japan Fest also on the third Sunday in July with cultural and craft exhibits (dance, theater, concerts); and the Christkindlmarkt or Christmas Market sponsored by the local LGBTQ community.

The English Garden is the largest park in Munich, Germany, dating to 1792. It derives its name from English-style landscape gardens contrasted with more formal and geometric French gardens. At 926 acres, the park is even larger than Central Park in New York City, and sits along the bank of the Isar River. Park design is credited to Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell and American Benjamin Thompson.

Englischer Garten

The park was built as Munich was expanding north from Maxvorstadt in the early 20th century, in order to preserve green space in the growing city.[2] It was named in honor of the Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold in 1911 to commemorate the prince's 90th birthday.[3] It is 33 hectares (82 acres) in size.[2] The park is accessible from the Scheidplatz underground station.[1] On a clear day, it is possible to see the Alps from the park.[3] A distinctive feature of the park is the Luitpoldhügel, a 37-metre-tall (121 ft) hill consisting of rubble piled up from World War II bombing attacks on the city.[1] In 1949, following the war, a plain cross was erected on top of the hill, with an inscription reading, "Pray for and remember all of those who died under the mountains of rubble". In 1952, this became a permanent memorial.[4] The Bamberger Haus [de] (Bamberg House) sits at the western end of the park. It opened in 1911 as a cafe and was named after its design, which was modelled on a house in Bamberg. The site was bombed during World War II and rebuilt in the 1980s. There is a hedge maze adjacent to the house.[2]The Pumuckl fountain in the park is named after the eponymous character created by Ellis Kaut. The figure intermittently spits out water, which may unexpectedly soak park guests.[2]The park is also known for its old trees, and is lined with ginkgo and pyramidal oak trees, among others. At the park's opening, the central feature was a 17-metre-tall (56 ft) obelisk constructed from limestone from the nearby district of Lower Franconia, surrounded by 90 lime trees, one for each year of Luitpold's life, and 25 oak trees.[5] The park remains popular and has hosted numerous festivals and events.[6] In the winter, the steep hills in the park are popular for sledding.[2]

I found Luitpold Park listed on the Wanderlog blog as one of the "13 Best Nature Near Munich". I'm always seeking out peaceful nature places and found this one intriguing as it is built on a mountain of rubble from WW2. This is a very practical and also healing way to deal with the aftermath of war. There were nice city views from the top. The vast areas below are very peaceful and uncrowded. There is a little hedge maze too, but it is not very impressive.

Luitpold Park

Olympia Park is a popular spot of recreation and sports history. The 201-acre space was previously the Munich-Oberwiesenfeld commercial airport and was also used as a dumping ground for debris and rubble after the World War II bombings. In 1966, the planning and construction of the Olympic Park began. The site hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics.Featuring a tent-like roof, the Olympic Stadium of Olympia Park was used as the home of FC Bayern, Bavaria's professional football club. Since 2005, the stadium acts as a venue for concerts and cultural events. Another venue of Olympia Park is the Olympiahalle, which also hosts fine arts and cultural events. The most notable events include Summer Tollwood Festival, Superbloom Festival, and "Sommernachtstraum" (Midsummer Night's Dream) fireworks. Olympia Park includes many opportunities for recreation and fitness including indoor swimming at the swimming hall, rowing on the Olympic Lake, biking around the park, or playing tennis or beach volleyball.

Olympia Park is an Olympic Park built in 1972 for the Summer Olympics hosted by Munich. The park includes an Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall, and the eye-catching Olympic Tower, the tallest building in the city. From the top of the tower, visitors can get a 360° view of Munich including the Alps in the distance, weather permitting. Olympia Park hosts concerts and festivals and includes spaces for recreation and fitness as well.

Olympiapark München

The Tollwood Festival's motto is Klar Zur Wende (ready about). The goal of the festival is for Bavaria to be climate-neutral by 2040. This means financial independence from Russia and no more use of coal and oil. With the current war and political climate, this issue is even more pressing and important to Bavaria. The festival promotes hope that this goal is achievable, and promotes the use of renewable energy from the sun, wind, and geothermal energy. The Tollwood Festival grounds are also called the Market of Ideas. This area is where visitors of Olympia Park can grab a delicious meal and enjoy the music and scenery. Theatrical performances and various events also occur throughout the 32-day festival. Local musicians, as well as international artists, perform and there is never a shortage of events and excitement.There is also a winter version of the Tollwood Festival. The Market of Ideas is open with holiday festivities and handmade crafts. A tent is set up with information about various social and ecological topics. The winter festival takes place at Theresienwiese.

The Tollwood Festival lasts 32 days in the summer from June 16th to July 17th. It is located on the south side of Olympia Park and admission is free. When you enter the festival you will find a vibrant scene filled with cultural shops and eclectic booths from around the world with the Olympic Tower on the skyline. Music, food, and drinks can be found around every corner. This festival has the goal of making Bavaria completely climate-neutral and sustainable.

Tollwood Festival

<h2>One of the second things you might notice as you enter Germany, the first being the cigarette smoke, is that Germans love their dogs! According to the 2022 update of “Dogs In Germany [ A Complete 2022 English Guide],” there are 10.7 million registered dogs in this country. Okay, and there are 15.7 million registered cats. </h2><h2> </h2><h2>You can take your dog almost anywhere except for supermarkets, bakeries, government institutions, playgrounds, and public beaches. Keep alert for the sign ‘Wir müssen draußen bleiben‘ (we have to stay outside) with a dog next to it if you are not sure. </h2><h2> </h2><h2>There is quite a bit of chatter online as to why European dogs behave better than American dogs, but everyone seems to agree that humans are at the root of the problem. This “problem” is also the reason that dog parks are needed as training arenas (in my opinion) for German dogs. From what I read, European dogs are socialized to their human family and are generally ignored by others in public. Therefore, they are not seeking out other humans for petting or attention. If a pet comes across another dog, it might “bark either out of overexcitement, an attempt to interact or a reactive knee jerk response because they feel the other dog is a potential threat or that they need to protect their owner” according to “European Dogs Are Better (And It’s All Our Fault)”.</h2><h2>There are rules regarding how often a dog should be walked, so whether you take your dog to a dog park or walk him yourself, it is important that you do so.</h2><h2>:-)</h2><h2> </h2>The Simple Germany website offers great information about dog taxes and all of the rules surrounding owning a dog as well as other social and cultural norms you might have questions about as you live and travel in Germany. Check it out! https://www.simplegermany.com/dogs-in-germany/

<h2>Hundewiese im Hirschgarten is a dog park in Munich, Germany. You might wonder why you would take your pooch to a dog park when it would seem that all of Germany is open to these well-behaved animals. Most European dogs, however, have been socialized to behave well towards other humans. When they come into contact with other pets on the street, though, their hackles are often raised as they wonder if they should protect their owner from the other beasts. A dog park offers some structure and yet plenty of space to give your dog the opportunity to become used to other furry friends.</h2>

Hundewiese im Hirschgarten

Approximately a kilometer from Nymphenburg Palace, Hirschgarten was originally a hunting ground for the electors. In 1719 it was converted into a restaurant, though at that time it was still used by the electors for events and celebrations. Today the restaurant and beer garden are open to the public. Consistent with the communal spirit of Germany, many beer drinkers wash their own glass; a wash station is located next to the enormous cabinet that holds the glass steins. Nearby are multiple stations serving beer out of large wooden barrels. Only one kind of beer is served at each station, though customers can choose to add lemonade to their glass first to create a radler. Within Hirschgarten, customers can find beer from three different breweries. Augustiner is the oldest and most venerated company, though Kaltenberg and Tegernsee Ducal are also Bavarian breweries dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. For a more formal dining experience, guests can find indoor or outdoor seating at the Hirschgarten restaurant and be waited upon by a server. For the less formal option, visitors can order their food cafeteria-style. A half of a roasted chicken and french fries (pommes) are popular options. Though Hirschgarten is known for its beer, it has a warm, family friendly environment. According to the official website, “In the summertime the beer garden serves as a living room for the people of Munich.” The large park contains a basketball court, skatepark, and playground, as well as some carnival attractions in the summer.

Hirschgarten is a historic beer garden and the largest in Europe, seating almost 8,000 guests. Upon entering, visitors can easily find a station to fill their stein with beer, well as vendors offering formal and informal dining experiences within the grounds. The beautiful outdoor space is shaded by giant chestnut trees and a herd of deer graze behind a nearby fence, adding to the charm of the space.

Hirschgarten Biergarten

Nymphenburg Palace is an exquisite example of European art and architecture that wows viewers inside and out. The palace and park sit on over 444,000 acres of land that was once an extremely popular summer residence amongst Bavarian rulers.The original architect, Agostino Barelli, was commissioned by Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria in 1664 to create Nymphenburg as a gift to his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy following the birth of their son Max Emanuel. Barelli built the palace according to Italian models, this included a cubic pavilion with a few outbuildings and a small walled garden laid out in geometric shapes. It wasn't until 1701 that Elector Max Emanuel had the complex extended into the palace we see today.Because Nymphenburg was such a popular palace among rulers from the Wittelsbach dynasty, the interior decoration of the main palace represents a variety of styles that range from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism.The gardens at Nymphenburg were originally laid out by French designers modeled on the park at Versailles. At the beginning of the 19th century the gardens were redesigned and are now considered one of the most outstanding examples of English landscaping created by garden architect Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell.Today Nymphenburg is a open to the public as museum that gives visitors a peek into the life of royalty, however, what began with the birth of an heir to the throne in 1664, still houses Bavarian sovereignty today as it continues to be a home for the current head of the House of Wittelsbach dynasty, Franz, Duke of Bavaria.

Nymphenburg Palace, or Schloss Nymphenburg, is a Baroque palace located in Munich's western district. The palace was commissioned to be built by Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy in 1664 after their son, and heir to the throne, Max Emanuel was born. The palace grounds are an English style landscaped park that consist of approximately 444,000 acres of land. Within the park you will find lakes, canals, and several pavilions, or "palaces en miniature."

Nymphenburg Palace and Park

Covering nearly 53 acres, the Botanical Gardens München, are incredibly important to humans, animals, and insects alike. The gardens are visited by over 350,000 people annually. The astonishing variety of plants attract many to these Gardens. It is home to around 19,600 species and subspecies of plants. 4,500m² of the gardens are part of the glasshouse complex, with several rooms housing specific plants from all over the world. The Botanical Garden is also used for scientific research, such as for phenological studies, which is the study of when plants produce fruit and flowers. Scientists discovered 106 wild bee species in the Botanical Garden in the years 2015/2017. The Botanical Garden also serves as a refuge for insects and 45 species of domestic birds. As well as for training and furthering education of gardeners.

Located in München-Nymphenburg, these beautiful Botanical Gardens cover an area of 21.2 hectares (52.4 acres) and is home to approximately 19,600 species and subspecies of plants. Whether you want to explore the green houses to find grand Cacti, or take a stroll through the ornamental courtyards- you will find spectacular plants at every corner. Guided tours are also available.

Botanical Garden München-Nymphenburg

Unlike other concentration camps, Dachau was not initially a death camp. Dachau was initially established as a political prisoner camp in 1933. The camp originally housed political prisoners such as communists and democrats, and it housed relatively few Jews. However, as the ambitions of the Nazi regime expanded, so did the camp. In 1937 the prisoners were used as slave labor to expand the camp through the construction of new buildings for housing prisoners. The camp remained unchanged for the most part up until 1945 and primarily contained barracks, a kitchen, and crematorium. There were also workshops that employed the slave labor of prisoners. After the events of Kristallnacht, the number of Jews that were kept in the camp rose to over 10000. These men were not kept indefinitely and were allowed to leave after they had provided evidence that they were going to leave Germany. There were two crematoriums on site, one made during the initial construction of the camp and another made in 1942 that was accompanied by a gas chamber. Similar to many of the other camps that were started by the Nazis in the 20th century there was an extensive system of child camps that operated under the order of the main camp. These camps were the primary areas where the prisoners would work and manufacture products for the Nazi regime. There were 169-187 camps that stemmed off of Dachau by the time of liberation. These sub camps operated differently from the main camp that was used for housing, extermination, torture and death. In the sub camps, the prisoners were taken from the main camp in order to be used as slave labor in various manufacturing jobs. Even then there were programs that the prisoners were used for before the existence of the smaller work camps. In 1933 the prisoners were forced to build roads in the surrounding area. In the waning days of the war, prisoners would be forced to cart bodies to mass graves in the sub camps. Dachau also operated as a training ground for the members of the SS who would go on to practice the cruel tactics they learned all across Europe. SS officers would routinely starve the prisoners and leave diseases untreated. Dachau, as seen in other concentration camps, was a site for medical experiments that the Nazis would subject their prisoners to. The prisoners would be subject to experiments searching for the furthest limits that the human body could withstand. There were also tests done to test the effectiveness of various lethal gasses that were being used to kill the prisoners. The aftermath of the second world war led to extensive research and the surfacing of the atrocities that took place in the camps all across Europe and retaliation by the allied forces. In the days following the liberation and exposure of the atrocities committed in Dachau, US soldiers killed all SS guards that they had found in the camp. Upon seeing the malnourished and sickly people that the SS had tortured for years, GI's reportedly made SS guards stand in the "Hitler Salute" for hours on end. The guards were then killed without a single indication of any emotion.

Dachau was a German concentration camp during the early 20th century and was operated by the Nazi party in Germany from 1933 to 1945. Dachau was the first prison camp that the Nazis established and one of the few concentration camps that operated within the borders of Germany. In total, more than 40,000 concentration camps and other detainment facilities were operated under the order of the Nazi regime.

Outdoor Culture of München

Starnberger See (Lake)

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources