Messsing Around Munich October 27, 2006

Today we walked around Munich’s city center. There are not a lot of historical buildings in Munich, but there are a few significant ones. Two that attracted our attention; the Frauenkirche, the cities trademark, with its twin copper onion domes was partially destroyed in 1944-45 but rebuilt after the war. The original structure was begun in the 13th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The second and more fun is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) which stands at the Marienplatz which was Munich’s salt and corn market. The Rathaus with its ornately carved facade houses the famous Glockenspiel. We stood and watched it as its dancing figures and carillon entertained the crowds in the Marienplatz. It springs into action everyday at 11 and noon and also 5 PM November through April.

We paid a visit to the Deutches Museum which is reputed to be the largest science and technology museum in the world. Needless to say we did not have time to look at 1/10th of the exhibits so we concentrated on water and aircraft. They have boats of all sizes, descriptions and modes of power. They even have one of the first U Boats that will make you imagine you can hear the sailors saying “you vant me to get in dat and go out der?”

The section with aircraft was just as interesting. They have a tri wing Fokker (like the Red Baron flew) along with several other WWI and prewar craft including a Wright’s Brother’s biplane. From WWII the museum exhibits a 1936 Messerschmitt 109 and a sexy twin jet engine Messerschmitt that could have made a difference in the outcome of the war if full scale production could have been achieved. This is a great museum and should you find yourself in Munich you should spend an afternoon wandering its exhibits.