Explore The Hidden Side Of Munich, Germany This Year

On Jul 2, 2023

Munich, capital of Bavaria, Germany — Munich, Germany [Image by Michael from Pixabay]

Munich in Germany has a number of the largest breweries in the country and is renowned for the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Meanwhile, it is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, making it easy to explore its museums, art galleries and more. Moreover, it has a subway known as U-Bahn, regular trains, trams and buses to travel around the city. Along the way, explore these four fascinating locations in the hidden side of Munich.

1. Stairway to Nowhere (Umschreibung) – 29 Ganghoferstraße, Munich

Umschreibung or Stairway to Nowhere in Munich, Germany [Image Wikimedia Commons]

A direct translation of the word “Umschreibung” to English comes up with the word “paraphrase.” However, the website for the Stairway to Nowhere gives the translation, “movement without destination, a space defined by motion rather than walls.” This does well describe the meaning behind this fascinating sculpture by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. He created the sculpture in 2004 in a courtyard of the KPMG Building.

A possible ominous meaning behind the sculpture is that, no matter how hard we work, we might just be going nowhere. Meanwhile, standing 30 feet in height, visitors will find an opening at the bottom where they can climb the stairs to nowhere themselves.

2. Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor – 11 Sendlinger-Tor-Platz

Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor, Munich — Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor [Image Wikimedia Commons]

While Munich has modern movie theaters, the city also offers this unique theater, dating back to October 1913. When it first opened, the theater screened an Italian silent movie about Antony and Cleopatra. Since that time, the single-screen theater has received more than 25 million patrons. Meanwhile, the theater has been owned by the Pressmar family in Munich for 70 years.

During the last 25 years, a local artist, Rene Birkner has hand-painted 10-foot high posters for the theater, often varying from the original, making them unique and charming. It also features chandeliers and balconies and offers a café for refreshments and a varied program. Learn more about this “feel-good” movie theater from the official website here.

3. Wurmeck – Munich City Hall, 1 / II Marienplatz, Munich

According to legend, a winged serpent came out of the ground in the center of Munich during the Dark Middle Ages. The creature was said to have spread the Black Death among the city’s residents until heroic citizens fought and killed the winged serpent.

To commemorate the event in 1906, a metal dragon statue was placed on the side of Munich’s City Hall and has been named the Wurmeck.

4. Bavarian Public Observatory (Volkssternwarte München)

Located in the city of Munich, the Volkssternwarte München – or Bavarian Public Observatory – has a unique planetarium dating from the 1950s, with four large telescopes. Meanwhile, the observatory displays exhibits of astronomical and meteor photos, including some taken of the International Space Station. However, a special treat for photographers is the ZKP1 Zeiss planetarium, which is controlled manually and is fully analog. This gives much clearer images than any of its digital counterparts giving visitors a spectacular show.

Have fun exploring the hidden side of Munich, Germany this year. Visit the city’s official tourism website for more information.