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The Bavarians say: “If the Germans need to brag about their successes, they show the world something Bavarian...” And this seems to be true. After all, here are the best ski resorts in the country, the largest number of recipes for meat dishes, the largest number of registered beer recipes, the most visited castles, the largest number of rivers and lakes, the largest number of cities that are more than 800 years old, the two largest carnivals in Europe and the world's largest beer festival... In general, everything here is “the best”, and most importantly - everything is ideally suited for tourism, shopping and generously seasoned with excellent weather. Bavaria also has the highest number of sunny days per year among the German-speaking states.
The Bavarians say this about their land: “We have everything, including Audi and BMW...”
How to get to Bavaria
It is convenient to get to the regions and resorts of Bavaria through Munich and Frankfurt.
Passau is the “Bavarian Venice”, built at the grandiosely beautiful confluence of three rivers: Inna, Ilza and Danube. The city was not damaged during the Allied bombing and brought to us all the beauty of the Baroque style in which it was built.
Of its 50 thousand inhabitants, there are 10 thousand students, so people come to Passau not only for the baroque, but also for the nightlife.
And also Ingolstadt with the Audi factory museum, Günzburg with the Legoland park, the island city of Lindau with painted facades, the village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Hitler’s favorite vacation spot, and now a place of pilgrimage for thousands of climbers, skiers and just tourists, to the foot of Zugspitze mountain - the highest point in Germany.
Transport
The most popular transport in Munich is the S-Bahn train. These are comfortable electric trains that have completely replaced the metro and are integrated into a common network with buses, trams and railway transport. Red trains arrive at each station at intervals of 20 minutes (break from 1:30 to 4:00).
Most tourists travel around Bavaria by trains and buses, armed with a single Bavarian ticket, the Bayern ticket, which can be purchased at the office. German website railways(in English) or at the metro entrances in the red DB-Bahn ticket machines. It will provide delivery of tourists to the tiniest village, not only in Bavaria, but also in some neighboring lands and countries, without additional charges. For example, to Ulm (in Baden-Württemberg), Sonnenberg (in Thuringia) and Austrian Salzburg. The ticket is inexpensive, and the railway transport system is very conveniently organized: no delays (at all); There are signs at stations, trains and buses indicating how to quickly get to the most popular tourist spots.
Also in the cities of the region there are single tickets valid for all types of public transport. Travel cards vary by zone and validity period. With a so-called “short ticket”, or Einzelfahrkarte Kurzstrecke, you can travel for an hour within one tariff zone. However, if the journey takes longer or requires crossing zone boundaries, it will not be suitable. Another one-time pass, the Einzelfahrkarte, is valid for 3 hours in several zones, but the more borders you need to cross, the more expensive it will be. Some cities have a Streifenkarte travel card - it consists of 10 tear-off strips, each of which allows you to travel for an hour in one zone.
Traveling around Bavaria by taxi is expensive. Here is an example of the cost of a 10-minute trip to cities: Munich - 9-15 EUR, Ingolstadt - 10-15 EUR, Regensburg - 14-17 EUR, Augsburg - from 12 EUR, Schongau - 11-15 EUR, Fussen - 10-12 EUR, Nuremberg - from 17 EUR, Bamberg - 10 EUR, Wurzburg - from 14 EUR.
Other types of transport: steamboats on the Danube in the town of Passau and the famous funicular to Mount Zugspitze near the village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It's fun to ride a bike around Bavaria. There are rental points and sports equipment stores that rent out vehicles in several cities. But it’s more convenient to rent a bicycle in Munich and plan a route from there - in the center of the province there is a wider choice and there are more rental points. If you are not satisfied with the price, you can look for a cheaper one.
Maps of Bavaria
Rent a Car
It is important to follow the requirements of road signs and markings. Inattention on Bavarian roads can be very costly - local traffic cops do not make concessions to foreigners, and fines in Bavaria are extremely high. It’s even worse if, having accelerated on the autobahn, the driver does not notice that he has entered “curves” - mountain serpentines, which in many places begin very unexpectedly.
You can drive from Munich in an hour to Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Augsburg, Schongau and Fussen with the famous castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Two hours to Nuremberg, Bamberg and Wurzburg.
Hotels in Bavaria
Guides in Bavaria
Entertainment and attractions
The Bavarian Forest National Park preserves fragments of wild forests with mountain streams, swamps and living inhabitants.
One of the most interesting and controversial exhibitions in the capital of Bavaria is the City Museum. Of its 4 parts, only one is dedicated to the history of Munich and its cultural specifics, and the other 3 are dedicated to the birth of National Socialism, musical instruments and puppet theater. The last section attracts both adults and children. Little visitors will not be left indifferent by the Munich Zoo - the largest in Europe.
After walking around the museum halls, go to Grassl or Hofbräuhaus. In the first you can learn the secrets of producing spicy schnapps, in the second you can try dozens of varieties of Bavarian beer.
The collection of the Bavarian National Museum is more traditional - furniture, weapons, jewelry, everyday and applied objects from different eras and peoples. Those who prefer works of art to historical exhibits should look into the Alte Pinakothek - one of the world's largest art galleries. And fans of the German automobile industry will be interested in the exhibitions of the BMW and Audi museums, where dozens of cars and motorcycles are presented - from ancient to the latest innovative models.
There are noteworthy tourist sites in every Bavarian city. In Bamberg, this is the Cathedral, which is famous for its interior decoration, the marble tomb of its founder and the “Bamberg Horseman”. In Dachau, tourists are attracted by a museum opened on the site of a former concentration camp. And although the small German town has architectural monuments, parks and ancient streets, people come here precisely for the museum and memorial, to remember and not repeat.
Castles of Bavaria
There are different types of locks. Equipped and in ruins, conveniently located and not considering it necessary to build any road to them. But they are all romantic fragments of the unknown life of princes and princesses. Castles in Bavaria are divided into two types. The first includes impregnable strongholds on the tops of mountains, the second - palaces of the 17th and 18th centuries, drowning in luxury, stylized as knightly fortresses.
There is a very high density of these castles in Bavaria; they are located next to any city. There are several hundred of them in active form and the same number in ruins. The fact is that in the Middle Ages, the population of Bavaria always irritated their neighbors with something - perhaps the habit of wearing tight leather shorts - but from the 3rd to the 17th centuries, wars did not stop in this area. To survive during German attacks, local Slavic leaders built fortified shelters on the slopes, then they were strengthened by the Franks and other Germans, who pushed out the Slavs and defended themselves in these mountains from the attacks of new savage hordes from neighboring countries. And so it turned out that at the dominant heights everyone settlement Bavaria has one or two castles.
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Europe in terms of its length (63 km). Most of this huge and beautiful reservoir belongs to Germany, the rest is shared between Austria and Switzerland. Its maximum depth is 252 m. In resort towns along the coast there are equipped beaches: both paid (with the most developed services) and with free entry. This region of Germany has many architectural and historical monuments, churches, monasteries and castles.
Water sports lovers can go surfing, swimming, and yachting. Also available to vacationers are golf, tennis, horse riding, cycling, and roller skating on special paths along the lake. There are three large islands on the lake: Lindau, Mainau and Reichenau. Mainau is a “flower island”, an island-reserve: there are more than a thousand species of butterflies, rare plants, vines and orchids.
Lake Obersee near Berchtesgaden
Lake Chiemsee
Lake Chiemsee, also known as the "Bavarian Sea", is located in the southeast of Bavaria, 80 km from Munich and 40 km from Salzburg. Thanks crystal clean water, well-groomed beaches and nature unaffected by human activity, the lake has a high status among tourists - there is never a time when the local hotels are not full.
The width of the lake is 11 km, length - 15 km. In the summer months, the water in it warms up to +25 °C. Developed here aquatic species sports: windsurfing, yachting, fishing. In addition, lovers of active recreation can enjoy hiking in the mountains and cycling.
In the center of Chiemsee rises the "Island of Women" Fraueninsel with an active convent, and next to it is its neighbor, the “Island of Men” Herrenchiemsee with the hunting castle of King Louis the Second.
You can improve your health here at the resorts of Prien am Chiemsee with its healing air and Bad Endorf with thermal waters saturated with iodine.
Rhön Biosphere Reserve
Lake Titisee
Lake Titisee is located southeast of Freiburg, in the mountains of the Black Forest (the most ecologically clean and industrially untouched region of Germany). Its length is 1.8 km, width - 750 m. Clear water and clean beaches attract many vacationers here.
In the town of Titisee, on the Seestrasse shopping street, you can buy a lot of goods, which will later become an undoubted confirmation that the traveler has visited the Black Forest: cuckoo clocks, ham, various types of local schnapps, traditional clothes and objects of applied art, leather goods. There are also elegant boutiques and jewelry stores, numerous restaurants and discos.
Titisee has plenty of opportunities to practice various sports. You can take a ride on the lake on a catamaran, rent a dinghy or a motor boat.
Bavarian Alps
Lake Tegernsee
Lake Tegernsee, which has become a famous health and climatic resort throughout Europe, is located 55 km from Munich at an altitude of 732 m above sea level. The treatment here is based on the thermal waters of local springs containing iodine and other trace elements. Tegernsee resorts include: Bad Wiessee, Rottach-Egern and Tegernsee itself.
Entertainment: swimming, hot air ballooning, fishing, mountain walks, underwater sports, golf, paragliding, cycling, surfing, tennis, sailing, horse riding. For gambling people - a casino. There is a large selection of restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros on the embankment.
Weather
Bavaria is a land of resorts, although it is located far from the sea. Each month has 17-20 sunny days. Grapes grow here, and there are ski resorts nearby in the mountains; there is a lot of water from the mountains, but there are few thunderstorms and rain. There are no seasons with bad weather in Bavaria. That is why, probably, the flower of German society has been heading to the Bavarian Alps since the 18th century, and kings and dukes built palaces for themselves in Bavaria, ruling the country from here.
Bavaria occupies an area of 70,550.87 square meters. km. The capital of the region is Munich. With a population of 12,044,000 people, the population density in Bavaria is 171 people per 1 sq. kilometer.
Important cities in Bavaria: Munich, Augsburg, Würzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Erlangen Important rivers and canals: Main, Donau, Lech, Isar, Inn.
Geographical position
Bavaria takes up all southeastern part of Germany. It borders in the west with Baden-Württemberg, in the northwest with Hesse, in the north with Thuringia and a small part of Saxony, in the east with Czech Republic and in the south by Austria.
In the east, Bavaria includes part of the Frankenwald forest, the Fichtelgebirge mountains, and parts of the Oberpfalzer and Buemerwald forests. In the south, Bavaria includes the Alps, in the west the Swabian state of Stufenland and in the north the Spessart and Rhön.
In Bavaria there are three parts of the great German landscape: the German part of the northern Kalkalpen and the foothills of the Alps with its attractive lakes, the "Schottische Ebene" with a land of lovely hills stretching to the river. Donau and the German middle mountains with varied landscapes.
Total information
Bavaria is the largest federal state in Germany by area. After North Rhine-Westphalia, the largest part (14.6%) of the German population lives here.
The Bavarian population originally comes from three national groups: Franks, Swabs and Bavarians. 70% of Bavarians are Catholics.
Bavaria is divided into three large language groups, the Bavarian dialect spoken by the inhabitants of Upper and Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. The district of Swabia belongs to the Swabian-Alemantic language group and Upper, Lower and Middle Franconia is an East Frankish dialect.
There are more than 60 different dialects in Bavaria, but the official language is of course German.
Agriculture is carried out mainly in the north of the Alpine foothills.
The most important industrial sites are located, as in the rest of Germany, in the large cities of Bavaria, such as Munich, Erlangen, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Aschafensburg. Industry in these regions: mechanical engineering, electrical and paper industries.
The so-called chemical triangle is located near the rivers Inn, Als and Salzach. The oil refining center is located in the city of Ingolstadt.
Bavaria's third source of income is tourism. Bavaria is considered a land of relaxation. Tours and excursions to Bavaria, due to the one and only beauty of its landscapes and well-developed infrastructure, as well as the alpine hills and the Bavarian Alps themselves, have been and remain a favorite pastime for tourists at any time of the year.
Story
The history of Bavaria began in the 6th century AD. from the Agilofinger people (Stamm der Agilofinger) from which the first Bavarian Duchy emerged. In 788, after the overthrow of Tassilos III by Charlemagne, it became a Frankish province.
Under the rule of Otto II (955-983), Bavaria lost Friaul, Kerten, die Ostmark and Nordgau = Oberpfalz.
In the years from 1070 to 1180, Bavaria was under the Welfisch and then until 1918 under the Wittelsbach government. In 1156 Ostmark and Steiermark were divided; in 1214 the Palatinate on the Rhine (Pfalz am Rhein) joined. From 1329 to 1777, this land was divided into Palatinate/Oberpfalz and old Bavaria (Pfalz/Oberpfalz und Altbayern).
In 1817, Bavaria became part of the German state. In the years from 1918 to 1933, Bavaria experienced difficult times of dictatorial government; after the murder of K. Eisners, the revolution under the government of G. von Kahr and later the Hitler putsch.
At the end of World War II, Bavaria was occupied by American troops.
The Palatinate was separated and Bavaria was formed.
Main cities of Bavaria
Munich
Munich is the capital of the state of Bavaria, the third largest and second most visited city in Germany after Berlin by tourists. It is also a major financial, industrial and cultural center. And in the field of communications and advertising, Munich is generally considered the second city in the world after New York. This is one of the most cozy and hospitable cities in Germany. The city has a cosmopolitan character, as a quarter of its population is of foreign origin.
Munich has many faces. Munich is a metropolis and a “big village”, where people will greet you on the street. Munich is a large open-air museum of architecture of all European styles, from Gothic to Art Nouveau.
Munich is home to world-famous beer, fried sausages, white pretzels and the world's biggest Oktoberfest - this famous event is attended by millions of people from all over the world every year, during which beer simply flows like a river. By the way, it is estimated that, on average, about five million liters of beer are consumed during the entire celebration period.
Munich is home to chic boutiques and a huge number of European and especially German celebrities. Munich is the industrial capital of Germany. Munich is a city of cinema. Munich is a treasury of world painting at the Pinakothek.
This central Bavarian city is full of monuments, great museums and art galleries. The city of Munich lies at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, so athletes from all over the world come here in winter to practice skiing.
In addition, Munich's proximity to Austria, Italy, and Switzerland also makes it a very convenient departure point to explore Central Europe.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg is a center of attraction for business people and tourists from all over the world.
Nuremberg, capital of Middle Franconia and the second largest city in Bavaria, 500,000 inhabitants, international airport, ultra-modern exhibition complex, where, in particular, the world famous Nuremberg Toy Fair and other leading events are held international exhibitions, the world famous Nuremberg Christmas market.
950 years of history, wonderful medieval Old city, famous for its numerous attractions (such as Kaiserburg Castle, German National Museum, Toy Museum, Durer House, New Museum...).
A wide selection of hotels of all categories, a huge number of restaurants serving local and international cuisine, as well as inexpensive shops in the city center.
Thanks to its favorable location, it is an ideal starting point for day trips to Bamberg, Würzburg, Rothenburg, Coburg, Bayreuth, Munich, etc. Situated on the banks of the Main-Danube Canal, it is of interest as a destination on river cruise routes.
One of the largest clinics in Europe is also located here, where patients flock from all over the world. Treatment in Bavaria is considered one of the best.
Palaces and castles of Bavaria
Few people know that at the bottom of the Bavarian Lake Starnbergersee lies the ring of Marina Tsvetaeva’s mother, Maria Main. She threw it into the water, ending up in the place where on July 13, 1886, the body of the drowned (according to one version, drowned) Bavarian “fairy-tale” king Ludwig II was found.
“Louis of Bavaria,” her second daughter Anastasia writes in her Memoirs, “is the passionate love of my 16-year-old mother. Passing the place where he drowned, she threw her first ring into the water - she got engaged.” In memory of the king, there is a cross protruding from the water here. Pleasure boats always stop here.
Ludwig II, the last romantic of the era of gentlemen and beautiful ladies, Don Quixote of the 19th century, who lost love and surrendered to an all-consuming passion - the construction of medieval castles in the Bavarian Alps.
The castles of Bavaria, built by Ludwig II, are fabulously beautiful, and therefore he himself is called the “fairy-tale king”, and his castles are “fairy-tale”.
And this king was madly in love with Wagner’s music and helped the composer a lot.
In total, Ludwig planned to build seven castles. Three were erected - Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. They cost Ludwig and the Bavarian kingdom more than 30 million marks. Falkenstein, as well as Gothic, Byzantine and Chinese castles, remained in the plans.
Ludwig II's castles also sometimes include his hunting house, Schachen, in the mountains near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Swan Castle Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle (New Swan Rock) stands at an altitude of 1008 m south of Lake Forggensee, about 30 km from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Nearby are the Alpsee (Alpine) and Schwansee (Swan) lakes. The same Swan Lake that inspired P.I. Tchaikovsky to the famous ballet.
This castle is the hallmark of Bavaria. Graceful, slender, looking upward, he is swan-like in beauty. White stone buildings with slits for patterned windows are crowned with graceful pointed round turrets with loopholes and arched balconies.
The architecture of the castle organically combines Byzantine pomp, Romanesque brutality and late Gothic sublimity.
Neuschwanstein fits perfectly into the surrounding alpine landscape. From a distance it looks like a theater set. This is the most beautiful and most fabulous of Ludwig's castles.
Inside the castle - on the walls and tapestries, in the design of furniture, in the interior of stairs and passages, on the ceilings - there are many swans... Painted, stone, wooden, metal... Wall paintings in many rooms are based on Wagner's operas "Tristan and Isolde", "Siegfried", "Parsifal". The Main Hall and the Office are decorated based on the opera "Tannhäuser".
Ludwig settled here shortly before his death and lived in the unfinished castle for about six months. Here his overthrow was announced. From here he was taken to Berg Castle on Lake Starnbergersee.
Excursions in Bavaria are always incredibly exciting, but this route is something special. Tourists are transported to the castle along an asphalt serpentine road by horse-drawn teams, but you can also climb on foot. Higher in the mountains at a height of 92 meters, a suspension bridge. Below it is a 45-meter waterfall. Not all tourists go up there. And in vain. From here the most open best view on wonderful mountain world around the castle.
Royal Manor Linderhof
This is the only one of Ludwig’s “fairytale” palaces, the construction of which was completed during the king’s lifetime. The architectural design of the castle combines the lush grandeur of the Baroque with the intimate sophistication of the Rococo. The abundance of mirrors framed in gold is striking, expanding the size of the rooms.
The interiors of the palace were painted by the best artists of Europe. The walls are decorated with picturesque tapestries and paintings. The many vases, marble fireplaces, figurines, porcelain flowers, life-size porcelain peacocks, ivory chandeliers, a crystal chandelier in the bedroom with 108 candles (they say they were never lit at the same time) are stunning.
There is a special table in the Dining Hall. It automatically rises through a special hatch from the kitchen located below, and drops there automatically. The king was unsociable and preferred to eat food alone.
In front of the entrance to the palace there is a thirty-meter stream of a fountain.
The park surrounding the castle is decorated in French, Italian, English, and Arabic styles.
Hunding's Hut is reminiscent of the set for Wagner's opera Die Walküre.
The lighting system used in the Grotto of Venus is considered one of the prototypes of modern color music. Light effects were created using rotating glass plates, which were driven by one of the first Siemens electrical generators in Europe.
Herrenchiemsee Palace
The most expensive Bavarian castle of all Ludwig’s projects was the Herrenkiemsee Palace on the island of Herrenwerth (today Herreninsel - “Men’s Island”) on Lake Chiemsee in the beautiful Alpine foothills 80 km from Munich. It cost 16 million marks and was never completely finished. Seven years after construction began, work was stopped due to lack of funds. And how long did the builder king spend there? Ten days.
Herrenchiemsee is a beautiful palace and park complex, symmetrical and superbly organized. In front of the main entrance of the palace there are jets of five fountains. The facade of the building is an exact copy of the French Versailles.
Royal lilies are a symbol of the Bourbons, sculptures, paintings depicting the “Sun King”, and other related motifs form a cross-cutting plot of the overall architectural design of the interior of the interior. The main colors are blue, burgundy and gold, with the latter predominating. As at Linderhof, the table for the shy king rises from under the floor in the dining room.
The wealth, luxury and scale of Herrenchiemsee surpasses Versailles in some respects. For example, Mirror gallery with an enfilade of 17 arched windows, illuminated by 33 chandeliers and 44 candelabra, it is as magnificent as its “sister” Versailles Gallery Glace, but longer (98 m).
Visitors to the palace are transported from the railway station of the resort town of Prien am Chiemsee to the pier by a small train with several carriages, then a 20-minute boat ride to the island.
Ludwig II invested all his funds in the construction of castles. When they ran out, money from the state treasury was used, which was virtually empty, for which he was, in fact, removed from power. But today, a century and a half later, the funds he invested are returned a hundredfold in the form of income from tourists visiting castles, because these are the most popular tours to Bavaria. Neuschwanstein alone is visited by more than 1 million people every year. But Ludwig himself was categorically against the idea of visitors appearing in the castles of his dreams. But it turned out that it became one of the tourist symbols of Bavaria. He is remembered and loved here. And on the billboards of local builders you can see the image of Ludwig wearing royal regalia and a construction worker’s helmet.
Bavaria is the largest of the sixteen states of Germany, located in the very center of Europe. From here you can reach Vienna, Paris, Brussels, Prague, Rome or Zurich in a few hours. On an area of 70,554 sq. km are home to about 12 million people. And the length of the Bavarian border is comparable to the air distance between Moscow and Munich. In the west and north-west, Bavaria borders on the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, in the north - on Thuringia and Saxony, in the east - on the Czech Republic, in the south - on Austria. The capital of Bavaria is Munich. Largest cities (more than 100,000 inhabitants): Nuremberg, Augsburg, Wurzburg, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, etc.
Nature
Bavaria is distinguished by great natural diversity. Bavarian Alps - this is where the highest point in Germany is located, the Zugsspitze peak - 2964 m.
The Alpine foothills extend from the Alps to the western part of Lake Constance. The main decoration of this part of Bavaria is the most picturesque lakes: Chiemsee (Himsee) - 80.1 sq. km, Starnbergersee - 57.2 sq. km, Ammersee - 47.6 sq. km, etc. The abundance of water bodies makes this area an ideal place for tourism and activities different types sports Eastern Bavaria - mountains of medium size, covered with forests, stretch from Regensburg and Passau to the border with the Czech Republic. This is where the unique Bavarian Forest national park is located.
The largest rivers in Bavaria: Danube (Donau) - 387 km, Main (Main) - 411 km, Isar (Isar) - 263 km and Inn (218 km).
There are two national parks in Bavaria, and the total forest area is 33.8% of the total area of Bavaria.
The Bavarian climate is also very diverse. The northwestern region has the most favorable climate. The closer to the southeast, the greater the temperature fluctuations. As a rule, Bavaria has fairly hot summers and mild European winters, which, however, does not exclude frosty days.
Population
The population of Bavaria is 12 million people. Initially, three tribes lived in this territory - the ancient Bavarians, Franks and Swabians, each of which had its own language, customs and mentality. It is from these tribes that most of the inhabitants of modern Bavaria come, not counting the 2 million people (mostly Sudeten Germans) who settled here after 1945.
The majority of Bavarians are Catholics (69%), Protestants make up 25% of the total population.
There is a local dialect of German, which in many ways differs significantly from classical German (Hochdeutsch). However, most Bavarians, with the exception of some rural residents, speak classical German.
Story
Bavaria is one of the oldest states in Europe. According to the most common theory, the Bavarian tribes were formed in the 6th century AD. from the Romans who remained on these lands, representatives of the Celtic tribes and the Germans who moved here. Already in the 10th century, the Bavarian tribal state had considerable power, and in 1158, Duke Henry the Lion founded a new settlement on the banks of the Isar River - today's Munich.
However, until the 13th century, the capital of the Bavarian state was the ancient Regensburg, founded by the Romans. In 1180, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa transferred the Bavarian territories to Count Otto von Wittelsbach - several centuries of Bavarian history will be associated with this dynasty.
Residences such as Bamberg, Würzburg, Ansbach, Bayreuth, as well as the large imperial cities of Nuremberg, Augsburg, Rothenburg, etc., gradually turned into pan-European spiritual, cultural and economic centers. However, despite the large number of cities, Bavaria remained generally an agricultural country.
All-German reform movement ser. The 16th century practically did not affect Bavaria: the Roman Catholic Church continued to dominate here. And at the state university founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt, one of the main opponents of Martin Luther, Johannes Eck, worked.
During the Thirty Years' War, Bavaria suffered heavy losses, but the first Bavarian Elector Maximilian I (1607-1651) managed to make up for the losses by annexing the Upper Palatinate to Bavaria. One of Maximilian's heirs, the Blue Elector Max Emmanuel (1662-1726), contributed in every possible way to the penetration of the Baroque into Bavarian art and culture, and in subsequent years (until the reign of the last Elector from the ancient Bavarian Wittelsbach line) Bavaria experienced a great cultural upsurge.
Elector Max Joseph IV (1799-1825), threatened by the seizure of the Bavarian territories by Austria, on the one hand, and the lack of support from the Empire, on the other, decided to come under the protection of Napoleon. In 1806, Max IV accepted the royal title and joined the Confederation of the Rhine formed by Napoleon. The Constitution of 1808 for the first time established equality of all before the law, protection of person and property, freedom of conscience and independence of the judiciary. And in 1833, Bavaria joined the German Customs Union.
During the reign of King Ludwig I (1825-1848), Munich became one of the largest cultural centers Germany - poets, artists, architects, scientists flock here.
During the reign of the most famous Bavarian king, Ludwig II (1864-1886), Bavaria fought against Prussia (on the side of Austria, 1866) and France (on the side of Prussia, 1870-71). In 1871, Bavaria became part of the newly formed German Empire.
However, the “fairytale” king, Ludwig II, became famous not so much for his political actions as for his passion for the architecture and music of the great Richard Wagner, who lived for many years at the king’s court. Stunning castles and palaces, the fruits of the fantasy of a “fairy-tale” king, have become a reality: one of them, the famous Neuschwanstein, has become a symbol of Bavaria. In 1886, Ludwig II died under unclear circumstances: his body could not be found in Lake Starnberg, where he allegedly drowned.
After the First World War and the November Revolution, Bavaria became a free state, but in April 1919 the so-called Soviet Republic was proclaimed here, the century of which, however, turned out to be very short-lived.
In November 1923, the “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in the oldest Munich beer hall, the Hofbräuhaus, one of the most active participants of which was Adolf Hitler, unknown to anyone at that time (by the way, despite his Austrian origin, Hitler considered Bavaria his true homeland). Hitler's speech at the trial of the putschists became one of the starting points in his political career. And during several months of imprisonment in the Landsberg fortress (near Munich), Hitler wrote his famous work “Mein Kampf”, which later became the basis of Nazi ideology.
In 1933, after the NSDAP came to power, Bavaria became part of the Third Reich. Already in 1933, the first concentration camp for opponents of the Nazi regime was built in the small town of Dachau, near Munich.
During World War II, most German cities, including Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg, were heavily bombed. After the end of World War II, by decision of the Allies, Bavaria became an American occupation zone.
Since 1949, Bavaria has been a state of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1990 Bavaria became one of the 16 federal states of the united Germany.
Tourism
As a rule, the mention of Bavaria evokes very specific associations: alpine pastures, national leather breeches, the “fairytale” King Ludwig II, the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and, of course, the Munich beer festival “Oktoberfest” and the legendary football team. All this, of course, is true, but few people know that Bavaria, among other things, is a favorite vacation spot for the Germans themselves. This is not surprising: Bavaria is truly ideal for tourism, at any time of the year. Thanks to its cultural diversity, rich historical past and unique geographical location, Bavaria is rightfully considered one of the best tourist areas not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. It's equally attractive place for both sightseeing enthusiasts and avid athletes, especially skiers.
The Bavarians themselves are incredibly proud of their country, and this is easy to see: it is here that you can easily see people walking down the street in authentic national costumes - for many of them this is their usual everyday clothing.
Munich
The old proverb about the capital of Bavaria, Munich, “Barock und Brauche, Bier und Bauche” (“Baroque and customs, beer and bellies”) has not lost its meaning even today. However, these short characteristics still do not exhaust the diversity of this city, which is both typically German and at the same time unlike anything else.
Munich was once called the secret capital of Germany. It is the third largest city in Germany and undoubtedly one of the main centers of German cultural life.
The peak of the city's cultural development occurred during the reign of the most famous Bavarian king Ludwig II (1825-1848), at whose whim several stunning castles and palaces grew up in the vicinity of Munich, and the most famous of them - Neuschwanstein Castle - became one of the main architectural attractions of the city. only Germany, but throughout Europe. The great German composer Richard Wagner lived at the court of King Ludwig II for many years.
The peak of tourist pilgrimage to Munich occurs in the second half of September and the beginning of October - it is at this time that the world famous Oktoberfest beer festival takes place in Munich. Oktoberfest first took place in 1810 and was timed to coincide with the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Since then, this holiday has become one of the main symbols of Bavaria, and its venue - Teresienwiese Square - bears the name of Princess Theresa. However, those who are planning to visit Munich should remember that during Oktoberfest the city's population increases several times and sightseeing or shopping becomes very difficult. Well, you can enjoy famous Bavarian beers such as Augustinerbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, Spaten, etc. at any time of the year, in any corner of Munich, day or night.
What to see in Munich:
Marienplatz - the central square of the city, along with Peterskirche, Tal Street and Jakobskirche, belongs to the oldest part of Munich.
The New Town Hall (Neue Rathaus) is located on Marienplatz. Despite the fact that the New Town Hall was built in the 60s years XIX c., the building is entirely in the Gothic style.
The Old Town Hall (Alte Rathaus) is located next to the New Town Hall, built in 1470.
Frauenkirche (Liebfrauenkirche) - main cathedral city, the two octagonal towers of the cathedral are the symbol of Munich.
The Teatinerkirche St. Kajetan - located on Odeonsplatz, opposite the Royal Residence (Residenz) - is the first South German church built in the Baroque style.
The Hofbrauhaus is located in the heart of Munich, in the town of Platzl. The most famous Munich beer hall. It was here that the so-called “Beer Hall Putsch” took place in 1923, which marked the beginning of the political career of Adolf Hitler.
The English Garden (Englischen Garten) is a picturesque natural ensemble in the very center of Munich.
The Old Pinakothek (Alte Pinakothek) is one of the main art galleries in Europe.
Nymphenburg Castle (Schloss Nymphenburg) is the former summer residence of the Bavarian kings, a palace and park ensemble in the Baroque style.
BMW Museum - in the unusual premises of the museum, the unusual history of the concern is presented, from aircraft engines to the latest models, from old motorcycles to racing cars.
The second largest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg, was one of the main cities of Germany in the Middle Ages.
What to see in Nuremberg:
The fortress (Burg) is an ancient princely residence located high above the city.
German National Museum (Germanische Nationalmuseum) - founded in 1852, the largest historical and artistic collection in Germany.
Frauenkirche on Hauptmarkt Square (Frauenkirche am Hauptmarkt) - built in 1352-1361 according to the model of Bohemian churches.
St. Lorenz is the main evangelical church of the city, built between 1260 and 1370, Gothic.
Albrecht Durer's House (Albrecht-Durer-Haus) - Durer lived in this house from 1509 to 1528. House of the 15th century made in half-timbered style.
Among other Bavarian cities, it is worth highlighting the ancient Regensburg - the first capital of Bavaria and the ancient Augsburg - in the Middle Ages - the crossing point of all European trade routes.
And, of course, it is especially worth mentioning the famous palace and park ensembles, the former residences of the Bavarian kings, located in the most picturesque corners of Bavaria. The most famous of them - Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchimsee - were built at the behest of the famous “fairytale” king Ludwig II of Bavaria.
There is another famous residence in Bavaria that belonged not to the king, but to the Fuhrer: it is here, in the very southern point Germany, in the resort town of Berchtesgaden, was the South German residence of Adolf Hitler, located under the very clouds - on one of the Alpine peaks.
Kitchen
Bavaria is famous throughout the world for its hospitality and cordiality: such huge portions, perhaps, are not found anywhere else. In general, Bavarian cuisine is quite simple. The most famous dish is fried pork with sauerkraut. Well, the famous Munich white sausages (Weisswursteln) and delicious salted pretzels (Bratze) have become the gastronomic symbols of Bavaria.
However, it is worth noting that the real picture of the gastronomic preferences of the Bavarians is quite far from the accepted patterns. This may seem strange, but the fact remains: of all German cities, residents of the beer capital consume the most wine per capita, as well as grappa, which indicates the special passion of the Bavarians for Italy. As the Germans themselves say, every Munich resident has his own little Italian restaurant on the corner. So Italian cuisine is represented in Bavaria in all its diversity.
Bavaria is the most beautiful and largest state in Germany. Its natural landscapes, lakes, rivers and mountains, cannot leave even the most experienced travelers indifferent. Here you will find the slopes of the Alps, plateaus and lowlands, every corner of Bavaria is imbued with its flavor. 
Bavaria is a federal state of Germany, which is located in the south of this country. This is the largest land in terms of area. Administratively, Bavaria is divided into seven districts: Swabia, Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, Lower Franconia, Middle Franconia, Upper Franconia and Upper Palatinate. The capital of Bavaria is the city of Munich.
- Date of formation: January 12, 1919;
- Capital: Munich;
- Area: 70,550 km²;
- Population: 12,843,500.
Weather
Bavaria experiences several different climate zones. In the northwest, where there are no mountains, it is more favorable, temperature fluctuations are not so significant. In the southeast the opposite is observed, here is located mountain range, which means that the temperature fluctuations are already more significant. In the lowlands, summers are quite hot, temperatures in July reach +30 degrees. Winters here are warm and rainy, average temperature about +5 degrees. In the mountains, summers are quite cool, the temperature rarely rises above +25 degrees. Winters here are cold, with an average temperature of about 0 degrees. If you are not coming to Bavaria for a ski holiday, then the best period to visit is from July to September. 
Rest
Tourism in this land is one of the main sources of income. Bavaria is beautiful at any time of the year. There is a fairly developed infrastructure and excellent natural resources. Tourists love to visit the Bavarian Alps and the Alpine foothills. In addition, Bavaria holds quite a few festivals throughout the year, one of the most popular is the Oktoberfest festival.
Cities
Most popular city Bavaria - Munich, its capital. There's quite a lot here interesting places, attractions, as well as for lovers of the foamy drink, the most famous breweries. Also Largest cities considered: Nuremberg, population over 500 thousand people; Augsburg, population 270 thousand people; Würzburg, population more than 135 thousand people; Regensburg, population over 132 thousand people; Ingolstadt, population more than 120 thousand people; Fürth, population 114 thousand; Erlangen, population more than 100 thousand people. 
Resorts
This land is simply a real paradise for lovers of wellness holidays. Bavaria has more than 60 balneological, thermal and climatic resorts. Bavaria can safely be called a single resort, which is divided into zones. Here you will be offered mud, thermal, mineral and salt springs. A variety of wellness programs that combine natural therapy and modern medical technologies will help provide treatment, prevention, rehabilitation or just a relaxing holiday. The most fashionable among Bavarian resorts is Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the most popular mud resort is Füssen. 
Prices
Prices here are not particularly different from throughout Germany. It will not be difficult to choose a place for lunch; you will be fed tasty and inexpensive everywhere; traditional Bavarian dishes, for example, Nuremberg fried sausages cost about 1.5 - 2 euros per serving. A lunch in a decent cafe will cost about 10 - 15 euros per person. If you are traveling on your own, it is worth using public transport, for which many people love Germany, everything is very clear here and no difficulties arise, but it is a very cheap way to travel. 
Locks
It’s not for nothing that Bavaria is called the country of castles; there are a great many of them here, and by the way, one of the most famous not only throughout Germany, but also in the world. Just look at the two nearby castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. In addition, it is worth visiting the snow-white Linderhof Castle, Herenkiemsee Castle, which is located on Lake Chiemsee, Blutenburg hunting castle and others. 
Lakes
Bavaria is famous for its lakes with crystal clear waters and surrounded by incredible scenery. The most famous lake is Königssee, translated as “Royal Lake”. Another famous lake is Chiemsee, which is so large that locals call it the “Bavarian Sea”. No less famous is Lake Constance, which is located in the south of Bavaria near the resort of Constance. And there are many more similar lakes here. 
Attractions
This land has a huge number of natural and architectural attractions. Munich is the capital of Bavaria; there is a lot of interesting and fun things to do here. Not far from Munich is the town of Dachau, already known for its “unhappy” history, namely the most brutal concentration camp of the Second World War. The city of Nuremberg is famous for its longest city walls in Europe, and is home to one of the largest toy museums in Europe. 
One of the most ancient settlements Bavaria - the city of Augsburg, which was founded in the 1st century BC, historical architectural structures have been preserved here. On the Main River is the city of Würzburg, which is famous for its medieval fortress Marienberg. The city of Bamberg, for its 800 summer story has not changed its historical appearance, for which it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 
For a long time, Bavaria remained an agricultural country, thanks to which it still retains this appearance. A huge number of small villages are scattered across the hills and foothills, the inhabitants of which sacredly cherish their traditions. And the untouched natural beauty of mountains, forests, rivers and lakes gives it an even more attractive atmosphere. Almost every such settlement has its own production of sausages and baked goods, and also has its own brewery.
A selection of profitable air tickets through Aviadiscounter (searches like Aviasales + a selection of airline promotions and sales).
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Bayern is the most large region modern Germany and perhaps the most famous. For many, the image of a real German merges with that of a Bavarian: leather shorts, a hat and a steamy mug of beer in his hands. It is in Bavaria that the famous beer is brewed, the famous Oktoberfest is held, and the famous BMWs are created.
But Bavaria is not only modern Munich, bubbling with energy, but also cozy Nuremberg, and fabulous Neuschwanstein, and snow-capped Mountain peaks, and wild forests, and clean lakes. All this is connected by the famous German ideal autobahns and kilometers of bypassed railways.
Bavarians rarely leave their homeland, because they believe that everything they need for life is in their region. They call outsiders “Prussians,” even if they are the tenth generation living in neighboring Hamburg or Stuttgart.
In Bavaria, it is customary to enjoy life to the fullest: eat to your heart's content, drink only the best beer (that is, any Bavarian beer) and have fun on any occasion. Whoever saw Bavaria recognized the real Germany.
Flights to Bavaria
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How to get to Bavaria
The main airport of Bavaria is located in Munich. The second largest number of passengers served after the harbor in Frankfurt am Main. And a recognized leader in the field of domestic transportation. At the airport you can see behind the scenes of the transport hub and visit a local brewery.
The small airport in Augsburg mainly serves business aviation, but is also open to international flights. It is located 60 kilometers from Munich, towards Nuremberg.
The country actively uses the railway network. The most profitable way is to buy tickets online on the website of the national carrier.
Hotels in Bavaria
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The Bavarian state offers a wide range of accommodation for travelers. Hotels of all levels of stars and non-stars, hostels, campsites, sanatoriums - for every taste and budget.
The most original way of placing on highest peak Germany. At a level of 2600 meters, on Mount Zuespitze, in the territory of the ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen, there is an entire village consisting of igloo ice houses. A night will cost from 110 €.
Look for 5-star hotels in Munich. These are Hotel München Palace, Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München, Hotel Königshof, Hilton hotels, Bayerischer Hof and others.
The spa resort in Bad Kissingen offers accommodation in private guesthouses and small hotels for prices starting from 30 € per night. In Bad Worishofen, a room in the 5* Steigenberger Hotel Der Sonnenhof costs from 200 €.
Shopping in Bavaria
Bavaria will certainly appeal to lovers of shopping; such a huge number of colorful markets and shopping centers cannot be found in any other region of Germany. The most interesting shopping sites are in Munich; there is the attractive Maximilianstrasse shopping street, as well as the chic Viktualienmarkt food market, whose history goes back more than 200 years.
The “purchasing mile” of Munich is considered to be Kaufingerstrasse or its parallel Neuhauserstrasse. These are the busiest shopping streets in Germany, where you can find international brands at budget prices, youth fashion boutiques, and German shoe and clothing stores.
The Ingolstadt shopping village is home to several dozen boutiques and 110 brands from all over the world.
There are also large outlets in Augsburg, Regensburg, Würzburg and Bayroth. Look for Hussel confectionery stores in all cities and towns.
Bavarian national clothing bayrische Tracht can be bought, for example, for Oktoberfest. Good quality kits are sold in some shopping centers, like Galeria Kaufhof.
Entertainment in Bavaria
In Munich there is the Alpamare water park, where travelers can relax with children and large groups all year round. Traditional slides, a 200-meter pipe with sound and light effects, artificial waves, almost vertical slides with overcoming rapids - this is an incomplete list of attractions that can be obtained for an amount starting from 23 €.
Nearby is one of the most famous amusement parks in Germany - Legoland. The territory is divided into thematic zones - Pirates, Pharaohs, Knights, Asia, Fantasy, etc. Enchanting shows are held for visitors every day. A ticket for a family of 4 people, purchased at the box office, will cost almost 40 €. Online the same ticket will cost about 28 €.
With children you can also visit the famous Krone Circus, founded in Munich in 1905, or the Augsburg Zoo, where exotic animals are collected.
Look for a relaxing holiday in the resort of Bad Reichenhall. It was based around thermal springs several centuries ago, it gained worldwide fame and popularity in the middle of the 19th century. Nowadays people drink water saturated with salts, bathe in it, and use it as a remedy.
Fans of extreme sports have chosen the Bavarian Alps. There are about 30 ski resort. In this region, the highest mountain in all of Germany is the Zugspitze (2962 meters), and the picturesque Lake Walchensee, located in the center of the ridge and reaching a depth of 192 meters. In the Berchtesgaden Valley, the preserved and restored Eagle's Nest tea house, carved into the rocks as a gift from the NSDAP to Adolf Hitler on his 50th birthday.
In the south there are many small karst caves and vertical karst mines in the Bavarian Alps. The deepest is up to 700 m, the largest is 7800 m.
Around Bavaria in comfort and taste
The most convenient transport for traveling around Bavaria is trains. The most economical option is traveling on a single Bayern-Ticket ticket. It can be purchased at railway station. The pass is valid for 24 hours and gives the right to travel on any trains throughout Bavaria. A ticket for one person will cost 20 €, and for a group of up to 5 people about 30 €.
In Bavaria you can arrange beach holiday. The region has a huge number of lakes in which the water warms up to plus 25 °C. The best time to visit in this case is July or August.
