Sunday, December 02, 2018

Munich

My bucket list is complete. I made it to the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. For decades I had talked about traveling to this world-famous restaurant/brewery, ordering a liter (ein Maß) of hefeweizen Bier and singing beer hall songs with other drunken tourists. It was fabulous.

The Hofbräuhaus is the most famous beer hall in the world. Built in 1589 it has entertained many famous patrons, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (who lived around the corner) and Adolf Hitler, who conducted one of his first meetings here.

Michael, Chase and I rocked it.



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Michael and Chase in front of one of the oldest restaurants in Europe and the oldest brewery in Munich, dating to the year 1328, the Augustiner-Bräu. 

Originally owned and operated by Augustinian monks, for centuries this brewery served Bavarian nobility.

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Peterskirche. Or Church of St. Peter. Munich. Catholics know how to make worship a memorable experience. Known locally as "Alte Peter," or "Old Peter," it dates back to the year 1181. 
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Forggensee (the word "See" means "lake" in English), near Hohenschwangau, Germany. 
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It was a drizzly winter day when we visited so I didn't get a good photo of Neuschwanstein Castle while we were there. But this is what it looks like on a clear day. 

Built for "Mad King" Ludwig II of Bavaria and frequented by the greatest composer in history - Richard Wagner - this castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Germany.

Alas. Ludwig spent only 172 days here before he suddenly - and mysteriously - died.

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The Ratskeller is a restaurant that operates in the cellar - der Keller - beneath the old town hall - das alte Rathaus - here in Munich. Thus, the name Ratskeller. It has a seating capacity of 1200 people. There had to be that many there. Good food - Schweinshaxe (pig's knuckles) - and hefeweizen Bier (wheat beer) (pale ale, in today's world). Well worth the 30€ I paid.