Travel back in time
It took a few centuries before Munich, which had been a residential city since the early Middle Ages, also became a major city. The economic development, art and architecture, shaped by the Wittelsbach family in a special way, but also tourism ensured the rapid rise of the city. The book “Munich in the 19th century“(Verlag Schirmer / Mosel) by Elisabeth Angermair, shows historical photographs of the city, published by the Munich City Archives, taken between the years 1850 and 1914. In addition to important historical events such as the thanksgiving service for the liberation from cholera in 1854 or the parades after the victory Krieg 70/71, the illustrated book also shows the everyday life and work of Munich residents in the various quarters of the city.
An American soldier during the rubble clearing operation “Rama dama” from the illustrated book “Munich. Look here!”
(Photo: Bavarian State Library / Image Archive)
The photo book published in 2020 covers an even longer period of time “Munich. Look here!“(Verlag Schirmer / Mosel). The impressive historical recordings come from the picture archive of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and show Munich between 1839 and 1979. Different phases of the Bavarian capital are covered in the illustrated book: Munich as a royal residence, as a city during the NS- Time, shaped by the propaganda of the National Socialists, as a destroyed city in the post-war period and as a rebuilt, open cosmopolitan city. Many of the photos were taken by Joseph Albert, the court photographer of the Wittelsbach family, by Heinrich Hoffmann, the propaganda photographer during the Nazi dictatorship, and by Felicitas Timpe, who documented cultural and public life in Munich from the 1950s onwards.
Undiscovered stories
The music producer Giorgio Moroder had his studio in the Arabella skyscraper and recorded numerous hits there.
(Photo: Florian Peljak)
Countless people walk past the Karlstor at Stachus every day. In 1857 there was an explosion of gunpowder stocks in the neighboring house, which resulted in severe damage to the main tower. As a result, this had to be demolished due to its dilapidation. After several renovations and destruction in the Second World War, the gate was rebuilt in a simplified form. Or another story: In the seventies and eighties, numerous world hits were produced in the Arabella skyscraper, including by Freddie Mercury, Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple. The producer Giorgio Moroder had his studio in the building. Short, exciting stories like these are waiting on pretty much every street corner in Munich, but you often don’t know them. In his book “111 places in Munich that tell a story“(Emons Verlag) shows Rüdiger Liedtke which anecdotes lie dormant in different places in Munich. Combined with current and historical recordings, stories from different decades are told.
Art on every corner
Lederhose, dumplings and liters of beer: this is how a graffiti artist sees typical Bavaria, photographed at the Muffathalle 2011.
(Photo: Martin Arz)
On a stroll through Munich you will notice artful paintings on facades, bridges or other structures. Along with other European metropolises, Munich was one of the first cities where street art was to be found. In the 1980s, the wave of graffiti swept across Europe. In 1985 Munich got its first legal area for spraying on Dachauer Straße on an abandoned barracks area, which quickly developed into an important place for graffiti artists from all over Europe. This facet of Munich is revealed in the book “Street Art Munich“(Hirschkäfer Verlag) by Martin Arz. It offers a historical overview of the Munich scene, interviews with personalities from the scene and several walking and cycling tours through the city where you can discover graffiti. The” travel guide for Munich residents “is equipped with numerous photos of the works of art and also reveals a new perspective on the city to one or the other original Munich citizen. The author also offers street art tours through the Bavarian capital.
view from above
Well-rounded: the Gärtnerplatz from a bird’s eye view.
(Photo: Gerhard Launer)
A plane opens up completely new perspectives. The aerial photographer Gerhard Launer has in his illustrated book “Munich from above“(Klartext Verlag) put together various impressive photos. The Oktoberfest, Gärtnerplatz or the Allianz Arena get a completely new effect from a bird’s eye view. Gerhard Launer has a pilot’s license and combines two of his passions in his work: photography and flying. With a focus on particular architecture, among other things, he takes in the city from new, unfamiliar perspectives.
Deserted city
Unusual silence: the Karlstor at the Stachus without the typical hustle and bustle.
(Photo: Jens Riecke)
Also in an unusual condition, Munich could be seen during the various lockdowns in the last two years. Streets and squares that are usually crowded with people looked deserted. The photographer Jens Riecke captured Munich in a deserted state long before the pandemic. The illustrated book “Silent Space Munich“(Verlag Anton Pustet), which appeared in 2016, shows Marienplatz, Theresienwiese, Viktualienmarkt and Allianz Arena, among other places, completely empty , during the pandemic he could have got up later. The sometimes mystical images are combined with texts, poems and essays by various authors, such as Fridolin Schley, Karin Fellner or Andrea Heuser.