Englischer Garten, Munich, Germany
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Since 1789 there is a place full of calmness and peace in Munich – The Englischer Garten. It is the green heart of a the Bavarian metropolis and the biggest park in Europe, situated in the middle of a city. The funny thing is, that this park was created by an American: Benjamin Thompson, who later become Count Rumford and Bavarian Minister of War, as well as a social Reformer. According to what I read about Count Rumford., he wasn't a very nice person.
At the beginning the place around the river Isar was thought as a Military garden, but soon the idea of an Volkspark1 was realised. Several farms, nurseries, a sheepfold and an agriculture school were built.
In 1989 The Englischer Garten had his 200 Year Anniversary.
The Englischer Garten preserved until today his natural beauty and romantic wildness. Everyone can find a place for himself; parents with children came often to this park, because kids can play and shout and just be happy. You can go for a walk with your dog – it is allowed to set them free, without a leash. If you like to sun-bath just without clothes – there is a special area for nudists.
Often you can see students, taking a break or learning – the Ludwig-Maximilian-University.2 is situated just a few minutes away. From time to time a rider pass one of the paths.
In The Japanisches Teehaus3 you can watch an original Japanese tea ceremony, carry out by a Japanese Teamaster. The Japanisches Teehaus was built 1972 by Mitsuo Nomara.
The Chinesischer Turm4 is one of Munich’s most charming beer-gardens in summer. In winter there is a Christmas market with arts craft, Santa and a crib. It is very old – built in 1789 / 1790.
From The Monopterus – a little round temple, built by Klenze5 in a Greek style, there is on sunny days a beautiful view at Munich’s Skyline.
Heart of The Englischer Garten is The Kleinhesselhoher Lake with his 3 islands and The Seehaus6, the best place to switch off or to swim or to feed the ducks.
Short to The Effner Bridge is situated The Amphitheather, built in 1984 / 1985. During summer there are many Open Air concerts. The Englischer Garten ends in the north with The Aumeister – a huge beer-garden.
If you come to Munich you shoul definitely take a walk through this magnificent park and pop in to one of its beer-gardens for a fantastic german beer. Prost!
1German for Park of the People.2you can view this page only in German.3German for Japanese Teahouse.4German for Chinese Tower.5(1784-1864), German architect and landscape and portrait painter. Court architect to Louis I of Bavaria, for whom he built many structures in Italian Renaissance and neo-classical style. His chief works in Munich were the Glyptothek Museum, the Pinakothek Museum and the Odeon .6German for Boatshouse.
