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Englischer Garten

Munich (German: München) [1] is the capital city of Bavaria. Within the city limits, Munich has a population of more than 1.3 million, making it the third most populous city in Germany. The Munich metropolitan region including cities like Augsburg or Ingolstadt had a population of more than 5.6 million in 2008.

 

Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its beautiful architecture, fine culture, and the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Munich's cultural scene is second to none in Germany, with the museums even considered by some to outrank Berlin in quality. Many travelers to Munich are absolutely stunned by the quality of the architecture. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus).

 

Munich is also a major international center of business, engineering and research exemplified by the presence of two research universities, several multinational companies and worldclass technology and science museums like the Deutsches Museum, BMW Museum and Siemens Forum.

 

At over twice the size of New York's Central Park and dating back to 1789, the Englischer Garten begins at the very center of Munich just north of the Residence museum and Odeonsplatz, and continues north just over 5km. The park is divided into two distinct sections by a small city expressway called Mittlerer Ring. The southern section starts near Odeonsplatz and the Residenz Museum, and runs north, parallel to the student quarter of Schwabing. More populated than the northern section, a surprising number of people take advantage of lunch breaks during the week to sun themselves in the Garten. Here you'll see all kinds of activity, such as joggers, cyclists, strollers, skateboard and roller blades, riders on horseback, even surfboarders in wet suits taking advantage of currents under a bridge. Tourists are generally amused -- or scandalized -- by nude sunbathers, who may be encountered in any quiet section of the park on a warm day, but tend to congregate in the "official" area beside a small tributary of the Isar River that runs through the park. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden is located near the Monopteros, a Neo Classical rotunda that is situated on a hillside in the Garden. The northern half of the park is connected to the southern section by a pedestrian bridge beside the Seehaus Biergarten. Whereas the southern section is graced with open meadows and is densely populated, this section has a quieter, rural feel, with forest lots interspersed with fields graced with beautiful wildflowers in summer. Don't be surprised if you come across a herd of sheep, watched over by a shepherd in traditional clothing and his German Shepherd dogs. Quiet streams run through the park, as well as many bicycle and pedestrian trails. Indeed, the very best way to see this park is to rent a bicycle and explore. At most times you can see one or more people trying to surf on the Eisbach; see below.

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Uploaded on April 3, 2012
Taken on September 9, 2011