Junie's monologues of travel adventures & daily humdrums
Chronicals of Munich
Munich, or munchen, is the capital of Bavaria the largest state of south Germany. And it is here that my first magic carpet ride adventure took place. Munich was covered in a thick blanket of snow when i arrive. It was early morning when i got to my hotel so i turned in early after a hearty glass of german beer at the lobby. It was good cheap german beer. I was excited with anticipation about the exploring which i will do the next day, but from sheer tiredness from the flight i collasped almost instantly when i get to bed. I woke up to a beautiful munich morning and rushed to open the door to my balcony at the hotel. I was bowed over by the prestine white my eyes are taking in.snow was falling from the sky, it felt like time stood still. (yeap it frozed*).Taking it all in, i felt great peace & tranquility. Almost forgetting the cold, i struggled to capture the moment with my trusty camera. 
I dressed hastily, charged with delight at the sight i just saw, knowing i will see more of it when i will make the exploration in the city. The time at the hotel was 8 02 am, i made my way to the concierge , asked her which place i should go and was directed to Odeonplatz. bought a train day ticket and began my lone exploration & adventure. when i got out of the hotel onto the streets the snow was a few cm thick i had to walk about 500 metres to get to the train station. inspired and hyper, my ass was freezing away but my heart was warm ( * hahah couldnt resist this mush*)
I got onto the train at 8 50.got out of the train at Odeonplatz . it was like stepping out of the wardrobe into snowy narnia. Its out of this world. i found myself in a square with an ancient looking building in front of me, it was the Feldhernhalle (1844). I stood in awe of its massive archs and magnificiant statues. Snow was falling onto my camera wetting it making it difficult to operate in the snow. Nevertheless. I had to do it. For my avid carpet readers and my curious heart. I had to document it all.
In the midst of my enchantment i hear a gentle voice. " hello, can i help you? Are u lost? " came the voice.
She was a nice lady, mid 40s or so but very friendly and charming. I told her that im just sight seeing and walking ard and she told me that this is a nice place to walk ard , marienplatz she says, have nice old churches and buildings and it was right in front. I thanked her repeatedly grateful for her hospitality and welcoming warmth in the freezing snow and waved goodbye. Coming back to my preoccupation with the grand building in front of my eyes i walked towards it to get a closer view. I found out later on the internet,nazism was founded in munich. Adolf hitler started off as an orator here, in the 1930s there was great turmoil and unemployment in germany and adolf hitler tired gain control by a coup agains the bavarian government.Hitler made munich the headquarters of the nazi party and took control of the german national government in 1933.
The "spiritual" center of Nazism was no other than Feldherrnhalle on the Odeonsplatz. Here, at the side of this memorial to fallen German military leaders, the Nazi putsch of 9 November 1923 came to an end when Bavarian police fired on the marchers. many died .Many were killed at Feldherrnhalle, Hitler was incarcereted for a few months.
The Odeonsplatz in front of the Feldherrnhalle( the square i was on) served as a parade field for the SS, who often staged nighttime rallies here! New SS recruits took their oath of loyalty to Hitler during these formations. (National Archives, RG 242-HB) http://www.thirdreichruins.com/munich.htm Here's are some pictures i found on the internet of feldherrnhalle in the past.
Just amazing. I walked up the stairs of feldherrnhalle. The magnificient lion greeted my ascent. through the snowy downpour i could still feel the power of the square.
If u look at the archives picture in the middle u can make out part of the lion. This is aslan in the snow. i was in lala land. treading in delight, unaware of the intiruging historical past of the place.
I walked along, to marienplatz after recovering from my elation. On my right is the theatine church. Here are the sights i see along the way.
as i walked on i see more statues of lions. They were everywhere. Though not as magnificiant as the one at feldherrnhalle, they were cute ones. I busied myself with dusting the snow off each statue.They must think im mad. Fingers were suffering from frostbite but i persisted.( I can be stubborn sometimes) But i had to meet these lions buried under the snow blanket! Meet my wonderful new found friends, lions of munich!
Why the lions, u ask? Well believe u me, this was the question raging in my head then. Again thanks to the modern genie ( why, the internet of course) I have found out that the most likely explanation was that munich was founded by Henry the lion. The duke of Bavaria. i love em lions. Did i mention i love em lions?
As i walked further i see more old historical buildings .I came to the church of our lady or frauenkirche. Frauenkirche is a twin towered cathedral built from 1468 to 1488. There were nice legends abt the place.Check the legend out here. http://www.aviewoncities.com/munich/frauenkirche.htm
I stepped in but didnt take any pictures out of respect. didnt see the devils footprint though cuz i didnt do my research before hand =(
As i got out of the church my stomach starts complaning incessantly. At this point i was tired from the cold & the excitement was consuming all of my energry. Plowing my way through the snow i slowly made my way to C&A (btw. a well known chain store in europe) and shopped a little before i finally decided to rest at the restuarant on the top level. Ordered a beer a meat ball. Yup. It didnt look the least bit like one, but it was yummy alrite. I got a great seat with a good window view so my lunching experience was heel lekker, I studied the city map while i eat, stressed out. Theres only a couple of hours left for my exploration but i wanna do so much. i have a terrible sense of direction so i need some time to trace my way back to the station or to find some other station from which i can catch a train back to arabella park. flying carpet goes at a certain time so i gave myself till 4 30pm to walk ard, then i have to go i have to go. I finished my yummy lunch unhurriedly, figured i deserved a lil more rest regardless. I was on my way again at 2 30pm.
On the streets, as i stepped outside, pple were shouting and there was mini parades everywhere. Small informal gatherings of football fans were shouting cheers. Munich was playing against hamburg that day and many were making their way to the olympic stadium. The world cup is going to take place in germany a little later this year and already the football fervour is on in munich. As i walked futher i went to Rathaus, the new town hall in marienplatz. It was built in flemish gothic style between 1867 to 1909 by georg joseph hauberriser.
As i ventured into the building, i found a beautiful courtyward covered in snow. it was a solitary experience; admist the pin drop silence, the quiet sprinkles of white snow from the sky, i felt a quiet sense of calm. My heart smiled from the juxtaposted contrast of excitement and tranquility , both feelings came at the same moment, here in a secluded courtyard in the snow, cornered off from the rest of the world.
The last building i saw before i made my way back was the old town hall. The original Old Town Hall or Altes Rathaus was completely destroyed by fire in 1460. Between 1470 and 1480, the old town hall was rebuilt in Gothic style by Jörg von Halsbach (who was also responsible for the Frauenkirche). It was completely destroyed again during the second world war, but rebuilt afterwards. The last part, the tower, was completely rebuilt in 1972.
I found out later (damnit) that it now houses a toy museum, which traces the history of the toys from the early 19th century toys up to the current modern toys. Should have gone in! darn. next time. Im coming back! This ends my little personal tour of munich as time was running out on me. Where's the witch u ask? this is her. A cute adorable one at that. =p
Munich, or munchen, is the capital of Bavaria the largest state of south Germany. And it is here that my first magic carpet ride adventure took place. Munich was covered in a thick blanket of snow when i arrive. It was early morning when i got to my hotel so i turned in early after a hearty glass of german beer at the lobby. It was good cheap german beer. I was excited with anticipation about the exploring which i will do the next day, but from sheer tiredness from the flight i collasped almost instantly when i get to bed. I woke up to a beautiful munich morning and rushed to open the door to my balcony at the hotel. I was bowed over by the prestine white my eyes are taking in.snow was falling from the sky, it felt like time stood still. (yeap it frozed*).Taking it all in, i felt great peace & tranquility. Almost forgetting the cold, i struggled to capture the moment with my trusty camera. 
I dressed hastily, charged with delight at the sight i just saw, knowing i will see more of it when i will make the exploration in the city. The time at the hotel was 8 02 am, i made my way to the concierge , asked her which place i should go and was directed to Odeonplatz. bought a train day ticket and began my lone exploration & adventure. when i got out of the hotel onto the streets the snow was a few cm thick i had to walk about 500 metres to get to the train station. inspired and hyper, my ass was freezing away but my heart was warm ( * hahah couldnt resist this mush*)
I got onto the train at 8 50.got out of the train at Odeonplatz . it was like stepping out of the wardrobe into snowy narnia. Its out of this world. i found myself in a square with an ancient looking building in front of me, it was the Feldhernhalle (1844). I stood in awe of its massive archs and magnificiant statues. Snow was falling onto my camera wetting it making it difficult to operate in the snow. Nevertheless. I had to do it. For my avid carpet readers and my curious heart. I had to document it all.
In the midst of my enchantment i hear a gentle voice. " hello, can i help you? Are u lost? " came the voice.
She was a nice lady, mid 40s or so but very friendly and charming. I told her that im just sight seeing and walking ard and she told me that this is a nice place to walk ard , marienplatz she says, have nice old churches and buildings and it was right in front. I thanked her repeatedly grateful for her hospitality and welcoming warmth in the freezing snow and waved goodbye. Coming back to my preoccupation with the grand building in front of my eyes i walked towards it to get a closer view. I found out later on the internet,nazism was founded in munich. Adolf hitler started off as an orator here, in the 1930s there was great turmoil and unemployment in germany and adolf hitler tired gain control by a coup agains the bavarian government.Hitler made munich the headquarters of the nazi party and took control of the german national government in 1933.The "spiritual" center of Nazism was no other than Feldherrnhalle on the Odeonsplatz. Here, at the side of this memorial to fallen German military leaders, the Nazi putsch of 9 November 1923 came to an end when Bavarian police fired on the marchers. many died .Many were killed at Feldherrnhalle, Hitler was incarcereted for a few months.
The Odeonsplatz in front of the Feldherrnhalle( the square i was on) served as a parade field for the SS, who often staged nighttime rallies here! New SS recruits took their oath of loyalty to Hitler during these formations. (National Archives, RG 242-HB) http://www.thirdreichruins.com/munich.htm Here's are some pictures i found on the internet of feldherrnhalle in the past.
Just amazing. I walked up the stairs of feldherrnhalle. The magnificient lion greeted my ascent. through the snowy downpour i could still feel the power of the square.
If u look at the archives picture in the middle u can make out part of the lion. This is aslan in the snow. i was in lala land. treading in delight, unaware of the intiruging historical past of the place.
I walked along, to marienplatz after recovering from my elation. On my right is the theatine church. Here are the sights i see along the way.
as i walked on i see more statues of lions. They were everywhere. Though not as magnificiant as the one at feldherrnhalle, they were cute ones. I busied myself with dusting the snow off each statue.They must think im mad. Fingers were suffering from frostbite but i persisted.( I can be stubborn sometimes) But i had to meet these lions buried under the snow blanket! Meet my wonderful new found friends, lions of munich!
Why the lions, u ask? Well believe u me, this was the question raging in my head then. Again thanks to the modern genie ( why, the internet of course) I have found out that the most likely explanation was that munich was founded by Henry the lion. The duke of Bavaria. i love em lions. Did i mention i love em lions?As i walked further i see more old historical buildings .I came to the church of our lady or frauenkirche. Frauenkirche is a twin towered cathedral built from 1468 to 1488. There were nice legends abt the place.Check the legend out here. http://www.aviewoncities.com/munich/frauenkirche.htm
I stepped in but didnt take any pictures out of respect. didnt see the devils footprint though cuz i didnt do my research before hand =(
As i got out of the church my stomach starts complaning incessantly. At this point i was tired from the cold & the excitement was consuming all of my energry. Plowing my way through the snow i slowly made my way to C&A (btw. a well known chain store in europe) and shopped a little before i finally decided to rest at the restuarant on the top level. Ordered a beer a meat ball. Yup. It didnt look the least bit like one, but it was yummy alrite. I got a great seat with a good window view so my lunching experience was heel lekker, I studied the city map while i eat, stressed out. Theres only a couple of hours left for my exploration but i wanna do so much. i have a terrible sense of direction so i need some time to trace my way back to the station or to find some other station from which i can catch a train back to arabella park. flying carpet goes at a certain time so i gave myself till 4 30pm to walk ard, then i have to go i have to go. I finished my yummy lunch unhurriedly, figured i deserved a lil more rest regardless. I was on my way again at 2 30pm.
On the streets, as i stepped outside, pple were shouting and there was mini parades everywhere. Small informal gatherings of football fans were shouting cheers. Munich was playing against hamburg that day and many were making their way to the olympic stadium. The world cup is going to take place in germany a little later this year and already the football fervour is on in munich. As i walked futher i went to Rathaus, the new town hall in marienplatz. It was built in flemish gothic style between 1867 to 1909 by georg joseph hauberriser.
As i ventured into the building, i found a beautiful courtyward covered in snow. it was a solitary experience; admist the pin drop silence, the quiet sprinkles of white snow from the sky, i felt a quiet sense of calm. My heart smiled from the juxtaposted contrast of excitement and tranquility , both feelings came at the same moment, here in a secluded courtyard in the snow, cornered off from the rest of the world.
The last building i saw before i made my way back was the old town hall. The original Old Town Hall or Altes Rathaus was completely destroyed by fire in 1460. Between 1470 and 1480, the old town hall was rebuilt in Gothic style by Jörg von Halsbach (who was also responsible for the Frauenkirche). It was completely destroyed again during the second world war, but rebuilt afterwards. The last part, the tower, was completely rebuilt in 1972.
I found out later (damnit) that it now houses a toy museum, which traces the history of the toys from the early 19th century toys up to the current modern toys. Should have gone in! darn. next time. Im coming back! This ends my little personal tour of munich as time was running out on me. Where's the witch u ask? this is her. A cute adorable one at that. =p
1 Responses to “the lion, the witch and munich”
Leave a Reply
About me
- Travel blog of Junie
- A design-lover who also loves to create, I blog about inspirations and beauty that i come across in my daily life.
- My profile
Previous posts
Archives
- December 2005
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- November 2006
- December 2006
- January 2007
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- February 2008
- March 2008
- July 2008
- December 2008
Currently looking for design employment! beep me if u know someone who knows someone!
Links
ATOM 0.3
Paris Weather
Singapore weather
<
Junie,
your link for the pictures you posted is not working, in fact it is :
http://junieboons.myphotoalbum.com
See you. Gilles Gilles