Cities in Bavaria, Bavaria Germany Cities in Bavaria Cities in Bavaria A quick guide to the 10 biggest cities in Bavaria after Munich There’s much more to Bavaria than just the capital. Here’s a snapshot of what awaits in the next 10 biggest cities, in order of population. They’re all beautiful places to visit and very, very old. Each of these Bavarian cities has an impressive castle, palace, city hall and sometimes all of the above. I’ve included each city’s coat-of-arms because they give you a little clue about the history of the city, and hey, they're pretty. Check out the Bavaria map here. It shows the locations of these cities in Bavaria. 1. Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) CASTLE ROCK: Inside the Kaiserburg at Nuremberg. The castle was built in phases over 400 years from the 12th century onwards. Location: in the Middle Franconia (Mittlefranken) region Population: 500,132 German kings liked to make their digs in Nuremberg, once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Nuremberg’s Hauptplatz comes alive with Germany’s most famous Christmas market (Christkindlesmarkt) in December. On a visit you can explore the medieval Altstadt (Old Town), framed by city walls and the glorious Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle). Then pay a visit to the Reichsparteigelände, a massive open area where the infamous Nazi Nuremberg Rallies of the 1930s were held. And don't forget to sample home-grown treats including Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and the diminutive Nürnberger Bratwurst. 2. Augsburg FOUNDING FATHER: A fountain/statue of the Roman Emperor Augustus on Rathausplatz, Augsburg. Augustus' stepsons, Drusus and Tiberius, founded the city in 15BC. Location: in the Swabia (Schwaben) district Population: 262,371 Germany’s second-oldest city, Augsburg lies roughly halfway down the Romantic Road touring route. It came to prominence in the Middle-Ages under the lights of Jakob “the Rich” Fugger, once the Bill Gates of global banking and trading.

Most of Augsburg’s landmark buildings are the work of architect Ellias Holl (1573-1646). Chief among them is the monumental Rathaus (Town Hall) and its showpiece Goldener Saal (Golden Hall). Another top attraction is the Fuggerei, the world’s oldest social housing settlement. Augsburg is the third-biggest of the cities in Bavaria. 3. Würzburg IT'S BAROQUE, BUT NEEDS NO FIXING: The Würzburg Residenz. A highlight inside is the Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall) topped with a fresco of Emperor Barbarossa. Location: In the Lower Franconia (Unterfranken) region Population: 134,440 Würzburg is a bustling university town on Bavaria’s northern periphery. Although over 90 per cent of the city centre was destroyed in World War Two it has since been loving restored. The city straddles the river Main and is the capital of the famous Franconia wine region. Würzburg’s landmark address is the Residenz, a baroque palace built for a demanding pair of prince-bishops. 4.

Regensburg AN IN-SPIRE-ING SKYLINE: St Peter’s Cathederal dominates the view over Regensburg. Its gothic interior contains dazzling stained-glass windows. Location: In the Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) region Population: 131,489 The stuff of Middle-Ages fantasies, lovely Regensburg’s core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, the former crossed by the humpbacked Steinere Brücke (Stone Bridge). It's one of the most-loved cities in Bavaria and an easy day-trip from Munich. Take a cruise along the river or explore the Old Town. It’s a maze of criss-crossing alleyways centred around the twin-spired Dom St Peter (St Peter’s Cathedral). Don’t forget to take in the grandeur of the palace Schloss Thurn and Taxis. That’s the former home of the founders of Europe’s first postal system. 5. Ingolstadt HISTORIC CENTRE: The Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in Ingolstadt now houses the city's tourist information office.

The Moritzkirche (Church of St Morris) is in the background. Pic: exfordy Location: In the Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern) region Population: 122,213 Another age-old Danube city, Ingolstadt is the home of the tragic, the mysterious and the highly auto-licious. Firstly, it was the birthplace of author Mary Shelly’s “Creature”, brought to life through the labours of scientist Victor Frankenstein. Secondly, it was the birthplace of the real secret society known as the Illuminati, meaning “Enlightened”, which some theorize wields a shadowy hand on the world’s governments and big business. Lastly and much more out in the open, Ingostadt is the headquarters of the Audi luxury car company. Contemplate the past as you stroll its gothic streets. 6. Fürth DOWNTOWN DRAMA: The municipal theatre (Stadttheater) in Fürth. It was designed by a couple of Viennese architects in the Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles.

Location: In the Middle Franconia (Mittefranken) region Population: 113,848 Pretty little Fürth is often overlooked by visitors in favour of its noisy neighbour, Nuremburg, given that the two cities’ centres are only 7kms apart. Unfair, perhaps, as Fürth was a totally separate entity for much of its 1000+ year history and boasts a favour all of its own. If you come, don’t miss the grandiose municipal theatre (Stadttheater) and the Jewish Museum – the city once had the biggest Jewish population in southern Germany. 7. Erlangen THE IVY LEAGUE: The Old University Library in Erlangen. The uni has about 20,000 on-campus students. Pic: Akriesch Location: In the Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken) region Population: 103,859 Another centre close to Nuremburg, Erlangen is best known as a university city with broad, tree-lined boulevards. It was expelled from France in 1683.

Major sites to see include Erlangen Castle (Schloss) which today houses the university administration, and the botanical gardens. Erlangen’s annual blowout is the Bergkirchweih, a 12-day mini-Oktoberfest that takes place around Pentecost in May or June. Erlangen is one of the more overlooked bigger cities in Bavaria. 8. Bayreuth LONG WAIT: The Bayreuth Festspielhaus. Wagner's great-granddaughters, Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Katharina Wagner, direct the Bayreuth Festival there in their ancestor's name. It can take up to 10 years to secure tickets to the event. Location: In the Upper Franconia (Oberfranken) region Population: 73,252 Bayreuth is best-known as the home of Richard Wagner (1813-1883), the cranky composer worshipped by King Ludwig II and Hitler alike. The operatic temple to Wagner’s works is the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. It’s the site of an annual showcase of the composer’s operas.

Also worth a look here is the expansive New Castle (Neues Schloss) with an enviable collection of porcelain. A top destination for classical music fans. 9. Bamberg BOATIN' SAFARI: A Bamburg gondalier propels a group of visitors through the city's "Little Venice" district. It's one of the most popular cities in Bavaria. Location: In the Upper Franconia (Oberfranken) region Population: 69,558 One of the most stunning smaller cities in Bavaria, Bamberg’s UNESCO Heritage-listed streets ooze charm. It’s sometimes known as the “Franconian Rome” thanks to its seven-hilled setting and has its own “Little Venice”, a network of canals and streams traversed by tourist-bearing gondolas. A stroll up through the old town, past the town hall island to the magnificent cathedral and Neue Residenz will have even the most jaded travellers in raptures. Few visitors to Bamberg escape without sampling its famous Rauchbier (smoked beer), a reddish ale with the tang of bacon. Much tastier than it sounds. 10.

Aschaffenburg LOVELY: The Schloss Johannisburg in Aschaffenburg was once the summer residence of archbishops from Mainz. Pic: viZZZual.com Location: In the Lower Franconia (Unterfranken) region Population: 68,672 They call this place the “Bavarian Nice” after the town on the French Riviera – think Mediterranean gardens, long, languid alleyways and a sunny climate stimulating subtropical flora. Historically a long way from Munich, and even Franconia, Aschaffenburg is tucked away in the state’s north-western reaches just a short hop from Hessian hub-city Frankfurt am Main. It's one of the most far-flung cities in Bavaria. Things to see here include the high-and-mighty Schloss Johannisburg castle and a replica of a Pompeian palazzo built for King Ludwig I, the Pompejanum. Take an organized tour Are you looking for an organized tour of Bavaria? Here's one from my booking partners at Viator which I can recommend. It takes in a few of the most beautiful small cities in Bavaria.

Bavaria | state, Germany | Britannica.com Bavaria Maximilian I Bavaria, German Bayern , largest Land (state) of Germany , comprising the entire southeastern portion of the country. Bavaria is bounded to the north by the states of Thuringia and Saxony , to the east by the Czech Republic , to the south and southeast by Austria, and to the west by the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hessen . Munich (München) is the capital. Area 27,240 square miles (70,550 square km). Pop. (2011) 12,397,614. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Ger. © Huber/Press and Information Office of the Federal Government of Germany Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Geography Bavaria is a country of high plateaus and medium-sized mountains. In the north are basalt knolls and high plateaus; in the northwest are the wooded sandstone hills of the Spessart. The northwest is drained by the Main River , which flows into the Rhine .

To the southeast the topography varies from the stratified land formations of Swabia-Franconia to shell limestone and red marl, the hill country of the Franconian-Rednitz Basin, and the limestone mountains of the Franconian Jura along the Danube , which divides Bavaria north and south. On the eastern edge of Bavaria are the Bavarian and Bohemian forests, and in the north is the Franconian Forest . South of the Danube is a plateau upon which lies the capital, Munich, and beyond it are the Bavarian Alps . Bavaria’s share of the Alps consists of wooded peaks of several thousand feet, behind which rise steep ridges and high plateaus (in the west, the Allgäuer Alps; in the east, the Alps of Berchtesgaden). They reach their highest point with the 9,718-foot (2,962-metre) Zugspitze , which is also the highest point in Germany. Bavaria has a continental climate that is harsh for middle Europe, although there are some exceptions, such as the Lower Main valley.

Eastern summit of the Zugspitze, Germany Hans Huber Saarland Historically, the north has been inhabited by descendants of the Franks , the southeast by residents of old Bavarian stock, and the southwest by people of Bavarian-Swabian descent. The majority of Bavaria’s inhabitants still live in small towns. Only about one-fifth live in cities of 100,000 or more. Munich is the third largest city in Germany and the largest city in Bavaria. Marienplatz with (centre) New Town Hall, Munich, Ger. Brand X Pictures/Jupiterimages After World War II there was an influx of refugees from the Sudetenland and eastern Europe , where many ethnic Germans had lived for centuries. A significant proportion of Bavaria’s population at the beginning of the 21st century was composed of those refugees and their descendants. Beginning in the 1960s, the industrial areas received large numbers of migrant workers from southern Europe. Great changes took place in the religious composition of the population after the war, with a heavy influx of Protestants.

At the beginning of the 21st century, most Bavarians were Roman Catholics, and Evangelical Lutherans were the second largest religious group. About two-fifths of the state’s gross output in the early 21st century consisted of industrial and handicraft products. Trade, transportation, and services accounted for more than half and agriculture and forestry for only a tiny amount. Farms in Bavaria tend to be large and highly mechanized. The Gäuboden Plain, a fertile farming basin along the southern bank of the Danube, is known as the granary of Bavaria. Rye, wheat, and barley take up about half of the farmland; much of the rest is planted with other grains and feed crops. The Allgäu is Germany’s leading cheese- and butter-producing region. Rye (Secale cereale) growing in Bavaria, Germany. Frank Krahmer—Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images The development of Bavarian industry was at first hampered by a lack of minerals and poor transportation. These natural disadvantages have been overcome by the development of hydroelectric power and by access to oil piped in from the Mediterranean ports of Marseille in France and Genoa and Trieste in Italy .

World Tour After World War II the government made efforts to attract industries, with the result that Bavaria attained a higher rate of industrial growth than the rest of Germany. Munich , the largest industrial centre in Bavaria, is the focus of high-technology industries and a major transportation hub. Manufacturers there produce precision optical and electrical equipment, machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, and clothing. Nürnberg, Erlangen, and Fürth form Bavaria’s second largest industrial area. Nürnberg (Nuremberg) is one of Germany’s leading centres of electrical manufacturing and also produces many types of machinery, from heavy equipment to precision instruments. Fürth specializes in metals processing. Electrical engineering and high technology are important economic activities in Erlangen . Other important products manufactured in Bavaria include electronics and aerospace equipment, chemicals, textiles, toys, beer, foodstuffs, and fine china and industrial ceramics. Britannica Stories Scientists Ponder Menopause in Killer Whales The most important waterway is the Main River , which is navigable as far as Bamberg . The Danube carries vessels as far upstream as Kelheim. Bavaria has well-developed road and rail networks. Major airports are located near Munich and Nürnberg.

Under its constitution of 1946, Bavaria is a free state with democratic parliamentary institutions. Voters directly elect representatives to the Landtag (state parliament) for five-year terms. The Landtag chooses a minister-president and a cabinet. The Christian Social Union dominated Bavarian politics from 1946 into the 21st century. Tourism is very important, particularly in the Bavarian Alps, portions of which are protected within the Bavarian Forest National Park and the Berchtesgaden National Park. The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen , located at the foot of the Zugspitze, is one of Europe’s most popular mountain resorts. The Allgäuer Alps near the Austrian border are also a popular tourist destination, and many winter and summer resorts, health spas, and medicinal springs are located in the area. One of Bavaria’s most popular tourist spots is the Neuschwanstein Castle , the famous “fairy castle” built for King Louis II of Bavaria in 1869–86.

The region is also noted for its many picturesque villages, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber , Nördlingen , and Dinkelsbühl , which feature lavishly decorated churches, public buildings, and homes. To the north lies another scenic area known as Franconian Switzerland , characterized by sinkholes, caves, and outcrops and dominated by the ruins of medieval castles. Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps, Germany.

© Huber/Press and Information Office of the Federal Government of Germany Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest UNESCO has designated several World Heritage site s in the state: the Residence in Würzburg , a Baroque palace and its surrounding gardens (designated in 1981); the Pilgrimage Church of Wies (1983), a Rococo masterpiece located in an Alpine valley; the old town area of the medieval town of Bamberg (1993), encompassing thousands of buildings, some dating to the 11th century; the old town of Regensburg (2006), situated on the Danube River , with structures representing two centuries of architecture; the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth (2013), an outstanding example of Baroque theatre architecture and decor; and the section of the limes of the Roman Empire (2005) that traverses the state. The Residenze, Würzburg, Ger. © Laif/Press and Information Office of the Federal Government of Germany Folk arts and culture remain important in Bavaria, and traditional crafts continue to be practiced. Popular festivals occur throughout the year, the best known being Munich’s Oktoberfest .

Bavaria is also well known for its music and theatre. The annual Bayreuth Festival features the music of Richard Wagner . There are theatres in all the larger cities, as well as numerous orchestras, opera companies, museums, and art galleries. Revelers celebrate Oktoberfest in a beer hall in Munich, Germany. Joe Viesti/The Viesti Collection Market day for cattle is the occasion for a festival in a Bavarian village. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz History The earliest known inhabitants in the area of present-day Bavaria were the Celts. Romans conquered the region about the beginning of the Common Era. They divided the southern part into Raetia and Noricum and built fortifications along the northern boundary to keep out the Teutons. Flourishing Roman colonies arose in the south at Augsburg , Kempten , Regensburg, and Passau . The Romans were overcome in the 5th century by repeated Germanic attacks. The lands were eventually settled by Germanic tribes from the east and north who mixed with the remaining Celts and Romans.

The tribe that gave the territory its name was the Baiovarii (Bavarians), which settled in the south between 488 and 520 ce. In the 7th and 8th centuries Bavaria was Christianized by Irish and Scottish monks. In 788 Charlemagne incorporated Bavaria into the Carolingian empire for a short time. Britannica Lists & Quizzes Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies Bavaria became a part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century. During that period Bavaria was constantly ravaged and all but depopulated by the Hungarians. At the Battle of Pressburg (now Bratislava, Slovakia), on July 4, 907, the Hungarians inflicted a disastrous defeat on the Bavarians, but Hungarian ambitions in Bavaria were checked permanently in 955 by Otto I at the Battle of Lechfeld, just south of Augsburg . That defeat ushered in an era of cooperation between Bavaria and Hungary, culminating in 996 with the marriage of the Bavarian princess Gisela and the Hungarian prince who would be crowned king as Stephen I .

In 1180 the Holy Roman emperor Frederick I Barbarossa gave Bavaria to the count palatine Otto of Wittelsbach. That marked the start of the Wittelsbach dynasty , which was to rule Bavaria until 1918. Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa) as a Crusader, with (right) Henry of Schaftlarn dedicating to … Courtesy of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana Otto was succeeded in 1183 by his son Louis I , who was the real founder of the Bavarian principality. He recklessly used every means to extend his power. He founded cities (Landshut, Straubing, Landau, and Iser) and also won the Palatinate of the Rhine (1214). His son Otto II increased the area of his lands mainly by purchases. The efforts of those and succeeding dukes to consolidate their power were fairly successful but were soon vitiated by partitions that for 250 years made the political history of Bavaria little more than a chronicle of territorial divisions, family feuds, and petty squabblings.

By the late 14th century the family’s various branches had divided Bavaria into three separate duchies, which had the effect of temporarily eclipsing the power of the dukes. The government of the country and the control of its finances passed mainly into the hands of an assembly called the Landtag, or Landschaft, which had existed since the beginning of the 14th century. The towns, assuming a certain independence, became strong and wealthy as trade increased, and the citizens of Munich were often formidable antagonists to the dukes. Trending Topics Opium Wars A consolidation began when Duke Albert IV (the Wise) of Bavaria-Munich (reigned 1467–1508) established in 1506 the principle of primogeniture in Bavaria. Albert also made Munich the capital of his duchy. Albert’s son William IV (reigned 1508–50) reunified Bavaria into one duchy in 1545.

In 1546, however, Bavarian policy changed abruptly to an alliance with the Austrian Habsburgs , following the introduction of the Reformation in the Palatinate, and under William IV’s successor, Albert V (reigned 1550–79), Bavaria became a strictly Roman Catholic territory. Throughout the 18th century, Bavaria was ravaged by the wars of the Spanish Succession and the Austrian Succession . In 1777 the Bavarian succession passed to the elector Charles Theodore of the Palatinate. Bavaria and the Palatinate were reunited. In the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778–79), Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia successfully prevented Austria from incorporating a large part of Bavaria to which it had laid claim. Frederick II, painting in the Castello di Miramare, Trieste, Italy.

Archivo Iconografico, S.A./Corbis In the 1790s Bavaria was a member of the first and second anti-French coalitions, and for its pains it was successively occupied by Revolutionary France (1796), by Austria (1799), and then again by France (1800). In the following year Bavaria became an ally of France and was thus able to expand its territories at the expense of Austria, acquiring by the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805 approximately the boundaries it now has. The treaty also elevated the Bavarian duchy to the status of a kingdom. Externally, the freedom of Bavaria continued to be restricted by the power of Napoleon I —from July 1806 onward technically in his capacity as protector of the Confederation of the Rhine , which the new kingdom joined. Internally, however, full sovereignty provided the basis for the creation of a modern state. Traditional privileges were swept away, often ruthlessly, by the central bureaucracy . The reforms were anticlerical in spirit, and many monasteries were secularized.

French pressure, moreover, helped to bring about equality before the law, universal liability to taxation, abolition of serfdom, liberty of conscience , and some individual constitutional safeguards proclaimed in the constitution of May 1, 1808. In 1813, shortly before the Battle of Leipzig , Bavaria rejected Napoleon, and in 1815 it joined the Germanic Confederation against him. It retained much of its territorial and political gains, making it the third largest German state, after Austria and Prussia. A new constitution was proclaimed on May 26, 1818. The parliament was to consist of two houses, with the lower house elected on a very narrow franchise. Religious equality and the rights of Protestants were guaranteed. In 1850 Maximilian II (reigned 1848–64) brought Bavaria into an alliance with Saxony, Hanover, and Württemberg in accordance with the aim of establishing the medium-sized states in Germany—of which Bavaria was the largest—as a third force to counter the preponderance of Austria and Prussia . Bavaria subsequently tended to support Austria against Prussia.

Maximilian’s successor, Louis II (reigned 1864–86), refused the Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck ’s proposal to incorporate Bavaria into a German domain under Prussian leadership, and Bavaria sided with Austria in the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866. But the quick victory of the Prussians and the moderation of their policies toward Bavaria led that kingdom to join Prussia in the Franco-German War of 1870 and afterward to share in the establishment of a German Empire under William I , king of Prussia. Maximilian II, detail from an engraving, 1859 Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum; photograph, J.R. Freeman & Co. Ltd. Under the German constitution of 1871, Bavaria received a larger measure of independence than any of the other constituent states of the German Empire. Meanwhile, Louis II had begun showing signs of mental instability, and his extravagant building projects (notably Neuschwanstein Castle ) had drained the Bavarian treasury. In 1886 he was declared insane, and an uncle, Luitpold , became regent that same year.

Luitpold died in 1912, and his son Louis III became king. Louis II, detail from a portrait by Ferdinand Piloty; in the Bayerische Staatsgemaldesammlungen, … Courtesy of the Bayerische Staatsgemaldesammlungen, Munich At the end of World War I , an Independent Socialist, Kurt Eisner , deposed the Wittelsbach dynasty on the night of November 7–8, 1918, and proclaimed Bavaria a republic . King Louis III fled, thus ending the rule of one of the oldest European dynasties . Eisner was assassinated in February 1919, and, in the subsequent chaos , revolutionary councils carried out a “Red Terror” and formed a short-lived soviet republic that ended in May 1919 when German army units and citizens’ defense corps recaptured Munich and instituted a similarly ruthless “White Terror” against the communists. Under a new Bavarian constitution passed in August 1919, Bavaria became a parliamentary state in the Weimar Republic of postwar Germany. Louis III, drawing by F.

Gärtner, 1915; in the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich. Courtesy of the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich The Bavarian political scene remained unsettled, however, and in 1920 and 1921 there were unsuccessful right-wing coups. The National Socialist movement of Adolf Hitler got its start in Munich, and in 1923 Hitler and Gen. Erich Ludendorff attempted their unsuccessful putsch in that city. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, they built their first concentration camp in March 1933 at Dachau , near Munich. The fanatical Nürnberg rallies , held annually from 1933 to 1938, gained worldwide notoriety. Many Bavarians supported Nazism , but others, especially in the rural areas, opposed the regime’s anti-Catholic policies. Adolf Hitler (left) and associates in Landsberg Prison following the abortive Munich putsch. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Nazi Storm Troopers marching through the streets of Nürnberg, Germany, after a Nazi Party … Bettmann/Corbis After World War II, Bavaria became part of the American occupation zone. The Palatinate was detached and joined to the new Rheinland-Pfalz state. Under the Basic Law (constitution) of West Germany of 1948, Bavaria became a state of the Federal Republic. The postwar era saw Bavaria dramatically transformed from a largely agricultural society to an urban industrial one, as Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder (“economic miracle”) took hold. Exports fueled the growth of such Bavarian companies as electrical equipment manufacturer Siemens AG , sports apparel manufacturers Adidas and Puma, and a host of Mittelstand (small- and medium-sized family-owned concerns that created a wide range of high-quality specialized products). In the 21st century Bavaria served as an engine of German economic growth, balancing a global outlook with a distinct and robust cultural identity. Additional Media Geography of Bavaria southern Germany Geography and facts of Bavaria Location Bavaria, home to 12.5 million inhabitants, is located in the southeast of Germany and is the largest of the 16 federal states of Germany.

Bavaria covers almost one-fifth of the total land area of Germany and has an area of 70,548 square kilometers (27,200 squaremiles). Bavaria borders Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland (across Lake Constance), as well as the neighboring German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. The capital city of Bavaria is Munich (München). Other major cities in Bavaria include: Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Augsburg, Würzburg, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Fürth and Erlangen. The two major rivers that flow through Bavaria are the Danube (Donau) and the Main. The Bavarian Alps are home to Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze 2,962 meters / 9,717 feet, and form a natural border with Austria.

The landscape of Bavaria can be subdivided into four major regions: the Alps, with the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany at 2,962 meters; the Alpine foothills with their numerous lakes; the Eastern Bavarian central mountains with the first ever national park in Germany; the Swabian-Franconian cuesta landscape. Bavaria was the first ever region in Europe to be precisely measured. Nature conservation and environmental protection are of high importance, and have been an integral part of the Bavarian constitution since 1984. The German Alpine Association has set itself the task of making the Alps accessible while preserving the alpine environment. Top Ten Things to Do in Bavaria, Germany continue reading below our video Best Ride Sharing Apps of 2015 Photographer Uli Kowatsch/ Courtesy of Congress-und Tourismuszentrum Nuremberg 2. Nuremberg The 950-year old city of Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is Bavaria’s second largest city and alive with history.

See the Imperial Castle, which was the residence of Germany’s Kaiser and kings, the romantic Old Town with original timber-framed buildings, Albrecht Dürer’s home, fountains and sculptures and the Nazi Rally Party Grounds. During the holidays, the Old Town becomes a winter wonderland when Nuremberg celebrates its Christkindlmarkt , one of the country’s best Christmas markets. Need a warm-up? Order a plate of Nuremberg Rostbratwurst . 5. The Bavarian Alps & Forest Walking, hiking, mountain biking, or skiing - the Alps are one of Bavaria’s (and Germany’s) premier holiday destinations. Running along the border between Germany and Austria, the Bavarian Alps are home to Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, where you can go glacier skiing until May. Some of the most well-known resort towns in the German Alps are Oberstdorf, Füssen, Berchtesgaden, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In addition, the Bavarian Forest, located in the East of Bavaria and running along the Czech border, might be not as famous as Germany’s Black Forest – but therefore it is much less crowded and an insider tip for nature lovers.

Established as the first national park in Germany, the Bavarian Forest is the largest continuous wooded area in the country, with glacial lakes, wooded mountains, little villages that host medieval festivals, skiing , and the scenic Glass Route, where you can explore the traditional art of glass making. More » Joao Maximo/Creative Commons 6. Eagle's Nest The Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) was a gift from the Nazi party for Hitler’s 50th birthday; perched on a mountain summit close to the town of Oberberchtesgarden, its construction in 1939 was an architectural phenomenon. You can tour a vast underground bunker system, then head through a tunnel to the original brass elevator, built right into the rock, which brings you up to Hitler’s mountain retreat. The chalet, where Hitler entertained world leaders, is now restaurant and a beer garden , both offering stunning views of the Bavarian mountains. More » Axel_D 7. Romantic Road The Romantic Road is a 261-mile long scenic drive through Bavaria; it leads you from the Franconia wine country to Neuschwanstein in the foothills of the German Alps.

Along the way, you can enjoy the Bavarian countryside , which is dotted with charming villages, hidden monasteries, and romantic hotels. The picturesque cities of Würzburg and Augsburg (plus the Fuggerei ) are also stops along the Romantic Road . 8. Bamberg Located over seven hills like another famous city, this Bavarian town is nicknamed the "Franconian Rome". Bamberg has one of Europe’s largest intact old town centers and is officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its early medieval plan, winding narrow streets and half-timbered architecture are the holy grail of fairy tale Germany. But the city is more than just a gorgeous still life. Universität Bamberg brings in over 10,000 students, the nearby US Army Base has around 4,000 members and dependents and there are nearly 7,000 foreign nationals that reside here. The city is also well-known for its glorious beer tradition . Its many breweries serve a variety of beers, plus their specialty, Rauchbier (smoked beer). More » Sculpture by Nandor Glid, Dachau Concentration Camp. Edwin Lee 9.

Dachau Concentration Camp The concentration camp of Dachau, 10 miles northwest of Munich, was one of the first concentration camps in Nazi Germany and would serve as a model for all subsequent camps in the Third Reich. Dachau visitors follow the "path of the prisoner", walking the same way prisoners were forced to after their arrival in the camp. You will see the original prisoner baths, barracks, courtyards, and the crematorium, as well as an extensive exhibition. ﻿ Munich | Bavaria, Germany | Britannica.com Bavaria, Germany Bavaria Munich, German München , city, capital of Bavaria Land (state), southern Germany . It is Bavaria’s largest city and the third largest city in Germany (after Berlin and Hamburg ). Munich, by far the largest city in southern Germany, lies about 30 miles (50 km) north of the edge of the Alps and along the Isar River , which flows through the middle of the city. Pop. (2003 est.), 1,247,873; (2011) 1,348,335. Munich, Germany.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock The twin towers of the Church of Our Lady (left) and the New Town Hall (right), Munich, Germany. iStockphoto/Thinkstock Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz History Munich, or München (“Home of the Monks”), traces its origins to the Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee, which was probably founded in 750 ce. In 1157 Henry the Lion , duke of Bavaria, granted the monks the right to establish a market where the road from Salzburg met the Isar River. A bridge was built across the Isar the following year, and the marketplace was fortified. In 1255 Munich became the home of the Wittelsbach family, which had succeeded to the duchy of Bavaria in 1180. For more than 700 years the Wittelsbachs would be closely connected with the town’s destiny. In the early 14th century the first of the Wittelsbach line of Holy Roman emperors, Louis IV (Louis the Bavarian), expanded the town to the size at which it remained up to the end of the 18th century.

Under the Bavarian elector Maximilian I (1597–1651), a powerful and effective ruler, Munich increased in wealth and size and prospered until the Thirty Years’ War . It was occupied by the Swedes under Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus) in 1632, and in 1634 a plague epidemic resulted in the death of about one-third of its population. The third Wittelsbach who left his mark on the community was Louis I , king of Bavaria from 1825 to 1848. Louis planned and created modern Munich, and his architects established the city’s characteristic appearance in the public buildings they designed. The 19th century was Munich’s greatest period of growth and development. Protestants became citizens for the first time in what had been until then a purely Roman Catholic town. The city’s population of 100,000 in 1854 grew to 500,000 by 1900.

Munich’s cultural importance in Europe was enhanced when Louis II , by his championing of the composer Richard Wagner , revived its fame as a city of music and the stage. Similar Topics Hamburg The rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty finally ended with the abdication of Louis III in November 1918, and, in the aftermath of World War I , Munich became a hotbed of right-wing political ferment. It was in Munich that Adolf Hitler joined the Nazi Party and became its leader. The beer cellar where he held meetings that led to the Putsch (“rising”) against the Bavarian authorities in November 1923 can still be seen (see Beer Hall Putsch ). In World War II Munich suffered heavily from Allied bombing raids, which destroyed more than 40 percent of its buildings. The contemporary city In the past Munich suffered economically because of its distance from seaports and from the coal mines of the Ruhr region. But this situation improved when fuels other than coal came into general use. Munich shifted from heavy to light industry, to the manufacture, for example, of precision instruments, optical and electrical appliances, and aerospace and other high-technology products, as well as to the production of food, cosmetics, and clothing.

The city has several of the largest breweries in Germany and is famous for its beer and its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Munich is a major tourist destination and a convention centre. Book publishing and printing and television production are also important. The city is a centre of the banking and financial industry, and it has one of the largest wholesale markets in Europe for fruit, vegetables, and animal produce. Capitals & Cities: Fact or Fiction? Munich is connected by rail to all the main cities of Germany and Austria , and it is a major hub for the German and European high-speed passenger rail system. Autobahnen (expressways) from Stuttgart , Nürnberg , and Salzburg converge on the city. Franz Josef Strauss Airport, located 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Munich, opened in 1992. A modern subway has been built in the city. Watch a subway tunnel being dug for the Munich underground rail system, 2009 film. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Britannica Stories Ringling Bros.

Folds Its Tent The old town, clustered around the ancient crossroads of the marketplace in the Marienplatz, has increasingly become a business centre and has lost much of its ancient character. Among the old buildings that still stand are three of the seven town gates—Karls, Sendlinger, and Isar, all dating from the 14th century. Other medieval buildings include Munich’s cathedral, the Frauenkirche ( Church of Our Lady; built 1468–88), whose massive cupola-capped towers are conspicuous landmarks; and the Old Town Hall (1470–80) in the Marienplatz. Nearby is Peterskirche (1169), Munich’s oldest church, which was completely destroyed in World War II but subsequently rebuilt in its original form. The former arsenal of the town at Jakobsplatz is now the municipal museum. The oldest of the Wittelsbach residences, the Old Court, has retained its medieval appearance. The present Residence dates from the 16th century, but the style of every period up to the 19th century was tried out on it with superb effect; the building was destroyed in World War II but has been reconstructed.

Another survival from this early period is Michaelskirche (1583–97), which is considered to be the most important Renaissance church in Germany and one of the most beautiful in central Europe. Despite these older buildings, the old town is predominantly Baroque and Rococo. Italian models inspired the late 17th-century Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church), the early 18th-century Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), and an 18th-century Marianist church, the Bürgersaal. Michaelskirche at Berg am Laim, the Asamkirche (also called St. John of Nepomuk Church), and the Cuvilliés Theatre at the Residence were completed between 1746 and 1777. The last-named structure, a magnificent Rococo theatre built for the Wittelsbach court, was destroyed in World War II, but much of its interior decoration was saved, and the theatre was reconstructed. Among the summer castles built outside the town walls are Schleissheim and Nymphenburg . The latter’s hunting lodge, the Amalienburg Pavilion, is a Rococo masterpiece.

Several palaces built by the Bavarian landed gentry and court nobility at the same time also survive. The New Town Hall (built 1867–74) was enlarged at the beginning of the 20th century. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Munich received the first great impetus to expand beyond the old town from the magnificent building program undertaken by Louis I in the 19th century. Between the Victory Gate and the Hall of Generals, he had the monumental Ludwigstrasse built, along which he constructed the state library, the Ludwigskirche, and the University of Munich . Other projects commissioned by Louis were the Königsplatz with the Glyptothek (“Sculpture Gallery”), a museum that houses a collection of ancient and modern sculpture; the Propyläen, a magnificent gateway in the style of the Propylaea at Athens; and the Alte (Old) Pinakothek , which contains one of Europe’s great collections of paintings. Louis’s son Maximilian II (reigned 1848–64) built the broad Maximilienstrasse and the Maximilianeum, which now houses the Bavarian parliament (Landtag).

The Maximilianeum, Munich. © Photos.com/Jupiterimages The University of Munich was moved from Landshut to Munich in 1826 by Louis I. Among the city’s other important educational establishments are the Technical University of Munich (founded 1868) and academies of art, music, philosophy, military studies, and film and television. Munich has long been a centre for the arts. Music, especially opera, has flourished. In addition to the Bavarian State Opera Company and the Munich Philharmonic and other orchestras, there are the Bavarian State Dramatic Company and numerous private theatres. Important libraries include the Bavarian State Library and the University Library. Munich has some outstanding museums and art galleries. The Alte Pinakothek, part of the Bavarian State Picture Galleries , houses the art treasures accumulated by the Wittelsbach family since the 16th century. Its collections of Renaissance-era German and Dutch paintings and Flemish Baroque paintings are especially strong, with many masterpieces by Albrecht Dürer , Peter Paul Rubens , and Anthony Van Dyck.

In addition to the Alte Pinakothek and the Glyptothek, there are the Neue (New) Pinakothek , which houses Munich’s main collection of 19th- and 20th-century art; the Bavarian National Museum, which contains German art and applied art since the Middle Ages; and the Residence Museum, which has paintings, sculpture, furniture, and ceramics. The Deutsches Museum , on an island in the Isar River, is a huge and comprehensive museum of science, engineering, and technology with a notable library. There are also the State Gallery of Modern Art and numerous small art galleries. In 1972 the city hosted the Olympic Summer Games. Watch surfers take to the waves in Munich’s man-made Eisbach River. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Additional Media Bavaria Cities And Regions | ShermansTravel Share From the Danube to the Rhine, and from Roman ruins to contemporary cities, Bavaria offers a nation’s worth of diversity within its 27,241 square miles. Urban dwellers and country lovers alike will find plenty to explore and enjoy during their visits.

Bavaria Cities and Regions Munich A post-war revival has taken Germany’s third-largest city from blitzed to beautiful. Among the crown jewels are the Mayor’s residence (complete with basement beer hall), the Wagnerian opera house, the glow-in-the-dark Allianz Arena, and a new BMW museum. See our Munich Travel Guide Augsburg As the capital of Bavaria’s southwestern Swabia region (and the former capital of the Roman empire section known as Raetia), Augsburg is one of the largest cities in the area, though it’s often considered part of Greater Munich. An historic center for textiles and banking, Augsburg is also known for its robotics industry. Regensburg A UNESCO World Heritage site, the former Bavarian capital and stomping ground of Pope Benedict XVI (then known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) dates back to Roman times, having been built by Marcus Aurelius in 179 AD. Nuremberg Watched over by three castles, this northern city features many medieval churches and even a period market. It is also home of the Nuremberg Ring, a Bavarian version of the Blarney Stone that brings luck to those who touch it.

Passau Located at the meeting point of three rivers, this cobbled village is prone to summer floods. If you time your visit right, however, you’ll be charmed by the city’s Baroque architecture and friendly villagers. The city is also a major starting point for Danube cruises. Freising This district capital just outside of Munich (and especially close to the airport), an important religious center in the early Middle Ages, offers a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the modern Bavarian capital. It’s also home to the oldest brewery in the world. Würzburg The hometown of famed physicist Werner Heisenberg and NBA star Dirk Nowitzki is also home to the famed Würzburg Rezidenz, a royal complex on the eastern edge of town that includes the world’s largest fresco, a spiritual scene by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Böhmerwald and Bayerischer Wald This mountainous region extends into the Czech Republic and a small portion of Austria and is known for it’s glass and lumber industry. Although largely an outdoor playground for those inclined to fish, ski, kayak, hunt, and hike, small towns such as Wernberg-Köblitz offer regal accommodations in medieval castles.

Bavaria Advice Munich is the largest city in Bavaria The Bavarian - EDUCATION - 92F Munich is the largest city in bavaria the bavarian SCHOOL View Full Document Munich is the largest city in Bavaria. The Bavarian pronunciation is shown in bold in the left hand column in a sort of “phonetic” spelling, with the standard spelling of the same sentences in the middle column. Bavarian (in bold) Standard spelling/pronunciation Translation Kommt einer zum Arzt und klagt: (standard spelling) Someone comes to a doctor and complains: “Herr Dokta, i ko ma nix merka. I glaab, i hob Gedächtnisschwund. ” “Herr Doktor, ich kann mehr nichts merken. Ich glaube, ich habe Gedächtnisschwund.” “Doctor, I can no longer remember anything. I think I have memory loss.” “Wie äußert sich denn das?” (standard spelling) “How is that revealed then?” “Wos?” fragt der Patient. “Was?” (standard spelling) “What?” asks the patient.

IN WHAT WAYS DO THE EXAMPLES IN (a) AND (b) ILLUSTRATE THE VALUE OF A STANDARD ORTHOGRAPHY IN CONTRAST TO A PURELY PHONETIC SYSTEM AS A WAY TO WRITE A LANGUAGE? (a) Orthography distinguishes homophones, allowing us to SEE the differences between words that are pronounced the same (here, “bow” vs. “beau”). (b) Orthography provides a unified way of representing a language in writing, regardless of pronunciation. With the words written to represent the pronunciation, the identities of the words are obscured for someone who does not speak with that pronunciation, and possibly even for someone who does if they are accustomed to standard spelling! For example, ko for standard kann , i for standard ich . This is the end of the preview. Sign up to access the rest of the document. TERM Score: _ out of 9 (= 27 points 3) LINGUISTICS 1: ASSIGNMENT 5 Name: KEY TA: Section: Linguistics Written Assignment 5 City Mayors: Largest German towns and cities 1 to 100 City Mayors reports news from towns and cities around the world.

Worldwide | Elections | North America | Latin America | Europe | Asia | Africa | Events | Mayors from The Americas, Europe. Asia, Australia and Africa are competing for the annual World Mayor Award. More City Mayors ranks the world’s largest as well as richest cities and urban areas. It also ranks the cities in individual countries, and provides a list of the capital cities of some 200 sovereign countries. More City Mayors lists and features urban events, conferences and conventions aimed at urban decision makers and those with an interst in cities worldwide. More City Mayors reports political events, analyses the issues and depicts the main players. More City Mayors describes and explains the structures and workings of local government in Europe, The Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. More City Mayors profiles city leaders from around the world and questions them about their achievements, policies and aims. More City Mayors deals with economic and investment issues affecting towns and cities. More City Mayors reports on how business developments impact on cities and examines cooperation between cities and the private sector. More City Mayors describes and explains financial issues affecting local government. More City Mayors reports urban environmental developments and examines the challenges faced by cities worldwide.

More City Mayors reports on and discusses urban development issues in developed and developing countries. More City Mayors reports on developments in urban society and behaviour and reviews relevant research. More City Mayors deals with urban transport issues in developed and developing countries and features the world’s greatest metro systems. More City Mayors examines education issues and policies affecting children and adults in urban areas. More City Mayors investigates health issues affecting urban areas with an emphasis on health in cities in developing countries. More City Mayors examines the contributions history and culture make to urban society and environment. More City Mayors describes the history, architecture and politics of the greatest city halls in the world. More City Mayors invites readers to write short stories about people in cities around the world. More City Mayors questions those who govern the world’s cities and talks to men and women who contribute to urban society and environment. More City Mayors profiles national and international organisations representing cities as well as those dealing with urban issues. More City Mayors reports on major national and international sporting events and their impact on cities. More City Mayors lists cities and city organisations, profiles individual mayors and provides information on hundreds of urban events.

More Almost 37 million people live in Germany’s 300 largest cities Towns and cities ranked 1 to 100 Germany is a country of thousands of medium-sized towns and cities. Only three cities, Berlin, Hamburg and München (Munich), are Millionenstädte - cities with a population of more than one million. Another nine German cities have a population of more than 500,000 people. According to the Deutscher Städtetag (German Associations of Towns and Cities) some 51 million people  the equivalent of 63 per cent of Germanys total population - live in the countrys 5,700 towns and cities. The population of Germanys 300 largest cities amounts to almost 37 million or 45 per cent of all people living in the country. The data for the City Mayors tables of Germanys 300 largest cities was collected from a number of sources. Urs Enke acted as research consultant.

Largest German cities Bavaria travel guide - Wikitravel 12 Stay safe Bavaria (German: Bayern) [1] is the largest federal state ("Bundesland" or shortened to Land) of Germany , situated in the south-east of the country, and extends from the North German Plain up to the Alps in the south. Bavaria is what many non-Germans probably have in mind when they think about Germany. Ironically, much of southern Bavaria has more in common culturally with neighbouring Austria and Switzerland than with the rest of Germany. This stereotype includes Lederhosen (leather trousers), sausages and lots of beer - Bavaria, however, has much more to offer to the traveller. Along with the Rheinland and Berlin , it is Germany's most popular tourist destination. Understand[ edit ] Bavarians are the proudest of all Germans. Locals are loyal to their roots and traditions. Bavaria is also the most autonomous of German states, and many Bavarians see themselves as Bavarians first and foremost, Germans second.

The German stereotype of beer drinking, sausage-eating and Lederhosen, is found only in rural Bavaria and mainly in the south and east towards Austria and the Alps or the thick forests that border the Czech Republic and Bohemia. About 60% of Bavarians are Catholic and are usually more conservative than the rest of Germany (or Europe for that matter). Munich , however, is a quite liberal city with a huge number of people from other parts of Germany, Europe, and the world, and it has a large English-speaking community. It can be quite hard to find someone with truly Bavarian origins in the city, as most people come to work there and stay only for a short time. By plane[ edit ] International travellers wishing to visit Bavaria should have no problems to book a flight to Munich , which is home to a large international airport. Alternatively, if there is no direct flight to Munich with your airline, you could book a flight via Frankfurt or Nuremberg and travel to Munich with the ICE high speed train. Furthermore the Airport Memmingen is a low-cost alternative. From there you can get by bus to Munich and Augsburg. See Germany - Get around by train .

From the Czech Republic[ edit ] There are two direct fast trains from Prague to Nuremberg and two to Munich . At Schwandorf station, the trains to Nuremberg have a connection to Munich a vice versa. German railways offer a non-stop bus between Prague and Nuremberg, operating every 2 hours and using the German domestic railway rate. Single tickets are quite expensive when bought at train station. For direct trains you can buy cheaper e-tickets [2] , but at least 3 days in advance. If you travel in a group or you travel to other destination than Nuremberg or Munich, the cheapest variant is a combination of Czech domestic ticket to the border (Furth im Wald Gr., the Gr. means border point) and Bayern-Ticket for the German section (see Get around by train ). The fast trains from the Czech Republic are considered as regional trains in German tariff. From Austria[ edit ] There are plenty of long-distance trains (category EC, ICE and Railjet) from Vienna , Linz , Salzburg , Villach and Klagenfurt . If you travel in a group and want to save money, use a regional trains with combination of Einfach-Raus-Ticket and Bayern-Ticket .

From France[ edit ] There is one daily direct TGV connection between Paris and Munich, with stops in Strasbourg , Stuttgart , Ulm and Augsburg , taking just over six hours. Furthermore there is a night train on that route. From other European countries[ edit ] By train[ edit ] Trains are the main mode of transportation for visitors since they easily connect towns with larger cities. If you're travelling within Bavaria, you can purchase the Bayern-Ticket [3] , which will give you all-day travel in regional trains (categories S, RB, RE and IRE) within Bavaria and even to the border towns of Salzburg , Reutte or Ulm . You can use it also for private trains and most of local buses and city transport. On working days the ticket is valid from 9AM to 3AM the following day. On weekends it is valid from midnight. There are variants of regional Bayern-Ticket [4] : Bayern-Ticket 1 person: €23, 2 people: €28, 5 people: €43.

Bayern-Ticket Nacht €23 € - €31) - for one to five people, valid from 6PM to 6AM the following day (7AM if the following day is weekend or public holiday) Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket [5] 1 person: €25, 2 people: €29,50, 5 people: €43 -- valid also in border regions of Czechia [6] . At Czech territory valid only in trains, not in buses. For general info about network tickets see Germany#Network_tickets . By car[ edit ] Sometimes, this may be the only way to get around, especially deep in the Bavarian countryside. In rural areas, roads are winding, tricky, and sometimes cut dramatically through farmland, but are otherwise EU-standardised and generally well-paved. By foot[ edit ] Travelling around the smaller cities in the countryside by foot can be a rewarding experience, and is easily manageable. Talk[ edit ] Most Bavarians speak standard German; however, in southern Bavaria, outside of Munich, Austro-Bavarian (east) or Swabian (west) is the native language of many.

In the north Franconian is the traditional language but few speakers remain. In the cities (including Munich) standard German is the local language, but Austro-Bavarian-, and Swabian-speakers typically do speak standard German as well (except possibly older people in the far south). Most people speak at least some English or other foreign languages (particularly French), especially the younger generation. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Bavaria has many family-friendly places, as well as those for the younger generations. Places to see include the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Rothenburg o.d.T.), Schloss (palace) Herrenchiemsee - Ludwig II's unfinished castle based on Versailles on its own island in the beautiful lake Chiemsee, the historical cities of Nuremberg (Nürnberg) and Regensburg (visit St. Peter's cathedral, which you can't miss as it is the biggest building in Regensburg), Bodenmais (known for it's fine crystal and known as the "Switzerland of Bavaria"), and of course the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle often called the "fairytale castle" - the role model for the "Magic Kingdom" of Walt Disney.

Of course, for kids, there is the Playmobil park near Nuremberg, an indoor Trampoline funpark in Regensburg, and the town of Riedenburg on the Altmühl river that has a castle with daily falconry shows. Also, many towns have some historical features in their limits. There are castle ruins, full castles still being used as residences, local museums, caves, and old mines that most tourists will never see. Some of these are better than the €20 fee to see a boring guided tour at one of the more famous cities in Germany. Why pay a fee for seeing only a small part of the castle when you can find an old castle in the countryside that you can explore on your own and maybe discover something new that has not even been documented? It's sad to see tourists who pay too much money to see "tourist castles" when the price of a rental car and the will to explore can yield many free or cheap sites, which are sometimes better than the overpriced attractions, that limit what you can see or do. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Bavaria has very good ski and snowboard resorts in the Bavarian Alps and in the Bavarian Forest .

They are much smaller than the resorts in neighbouring Austria or Switzerland, though. They are always well maintained and usually cheaper. The most famous and crowded are in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Hearty Bavarian food on a fancy plate. Left to right: Schnitzel, pork belly (Schweinebauch) with red cabbage (Rotkohl), Weißwurst , mashed potatoes (Kartoffelpüree), Bratwurst on sauerkraut Bavarian cuisine is famous for “Schweinsbraten” (roast pork), “Bratwürstl” sausages, “Nürnberger Bratwurst”, probably the smallest sausage in Germany, “Weißwurst” sausage made from veal, “Leberkäse” (a type of meatloaf), “Schweinshaxe” (grilled pork knuckle) as well as a variety of different “Knödel” (dumplings) and “Kartoffelsalat” (potato salad).

Also in the Oberallgäu, the southwesternmost part of bavaria, the traditional food is “Kässpatzen”, made with much Bavarian cheese. Also, some Gasthaus's have various season specials based on what is available locally at that time. There can be specials like Truffle dishes in the southern mountain areas, specialty mushrooms in the Oberpfalz area, seasonal Salmon dishes on the Donau / Altmuhl river area, local trout specials in all small villages, seasonal asparagus dishes, and during hunting season there are occasional fresh wild boar and venison dishes - Bavaria is a gastronomic wonderland (especially for the meat aficionado)! Beer[ edit ] Beer is something very special for bavarians. It is strongly connected to the so called "Reinheitsgebot" from 1516 which sets the standards for regular beer brewing. The saying "Hopfen und Malz, Gott erhalts" ("Hops and malt, may God preserve them") is well known and seen as a law, even if it never reached the state of this. Bavarian beer is therefore regarded as one of the best brewed beers in the world.

Some Bavarians choose to ironically point at "foreign" beers like the famous "Kölsch" from Cologne or beers from Belgium as "water" respectively "sugared water". Bavarians love their beer. One of the most beloved is the "Weißbier", a cloudy, unfiltered beer brewed with wheat, which is commonly consumed earlier in the day with a Weisswurst and sweet mustard. It's good to know that there exists a special ritual with this beer: Normally it will be served in a special glass, called "Weißbierglas". But if you get the empty glass and the bottle of beer, you have to fill it by yourself: in one step without dropping the bottle. Weissbier is more carbonated than most other beers and produces a lot of foam so it is not easy to fill without spilling something. Bavaria could opt for the title of "holy grail of brewing". Not only is Munich home to Oktoberfest but also the highest brewery density in the world is in the north of the state, in the Franconian region. There, you can find a brewery in almost every village (it is sometimes very small and maintained among a few families).

You can find a lot of local beer specialities, as for instance the "Bamberger Schlenkerla" (a beer with a taste of smoked bacon). So always try to stick with the local beers - especially tasty (and supposedly healthy) are the unfiltered beers (served only in pubs). In summer, you can generally find beer festivals everywhere: not only in the bigger cities but also in the smaller villages; be warned, however, that the beer there is often served in 1 L ceramic glasses called "Maß". The biggest beer festival certainly is the infamous Oktoberfest [7] in Munich, followed by the biannual Nürnberger Volksfest [8] . Also very nice is the Erlanger Bergkirchweih . If you are touring Upper Bavaria in August, you shouldn´t miss the Barthelmarkt in Oberstimm, next to Ingolstadt, one of the oldest traditional Volksfests in Bavaria - it´s kind of an insider tip. You will hardly find foreigners there. On Monday there is a big horse market and the beer tents open already at 5:30 am and they are packed with people at 6:00 am.

Bavaria’s beer garden [9] season starts in mid April and runs right through to October. The shade of ancient horse chestnut trees become a rendezvous for both young and old, rich and not-so-rich, and locals and visitors alike: a place to enjoy a convivial glass of cold beer and some tasty Bavarian snacks. You can even bring your own food (but not drinks). Brandy[ edit ] Germans generally make brandy out of everything (even beer -bierbrand!); most common are the fruit brandies (Obstler) and the herb liqueurs (such as Sechsämtertropfen from northern Bavaria). For a real Altbayerisch feeling, try Bärwurz, Kräuterwurz, or Blutwurz. Wines[ edit ] The north of Bavaria is famous not only for its beer but also for its (white) wines that come in special bottles called "Bocksbeutel" (bottles with a big round yet flat belly). For a sweet treat, try Eiswein (Ice wine), made from grapes that are allowed to stay until the first severe frost and then pressed and made into a very sweet wine.

Stay safe[ edit ] Statistically, Bavaria is one of the safest regions (if not the safest) in Germany and Europe. The biggest threat to your wallet is the (perfectly legal) high price level. Be aware that there is a big difference between the Bavarian police and the police from maybe Hamburg or Berlin. In Berlin, it might not be a problem if they find a few joints in your pocket (because you may carry it for your personal use). In Bavaria, it definitely is a big problem for you. Still, you won't have any problems if you drink alcohol in public as in the rest of Germany. The selling of beer or wine to people under 16 is forbidden, the age limit for spirits is 18. The consuming under these limits is permitted if the child is accompanied by his custodian. So you might find a preschool child sipping from his father's beer mug.

Question: What is the largest city in Bavaria?
Answer: Munich