I have to say that Munich did not steal my heart away like other cities have- so little an impression that I barely remember the previous time I was there. I tried really hard this time though and when I look back at my efforts, I had to call these the “Greatest Hits” as they are not random views, but also somehow in total they make up something great together.
I will say that of this list the Glyptothek, from above, was my favorite. Almost as if the sculptures themselves carry and emanate the energy that made it so similar to the one in Copenhagen – a resolute quietness in their sheer existence. Quite beautiful. What if we could all feel that for ourselves in our own existence? Perhaps that is the reflection to take in a place such as this.
Address: Königsplatz 3, 80333 München, Germany
I thought I knew Cy Twombley’s work, and I do- but not like this. The color palette is bright and open and not distorted and disturbed.
While the Brandhorst doesn’t look much of anything to size or stature from the outside, the expanse of the galleries to house these Twombley series (there’s more than this room) are astonishing.
Address: Theresienstraße 35a, 80333 München, Germany
My third favorite space in Munich was the Pinakothek der Moderne- but specifically the X-D-E-P-O-T . This circle of chairs was a delight- I sat in each one, like a Goldilocks, assessing for which one would be my favorite. The exhibition itself here is a treasure trove (like the Depot in Rotterdam) of industrial design – how ingenious humans are at solving problems in so many ways functionally but also in form.
Address: Barer Str. 40, 80333 München, Germany
The least mentioned highlight- but I consider one of the best spaces- of the Residenz was the Portrait Hall. It is a representation of what Munich celebrates most from it’s history. (The Antiquarium- the most famous space of this complex is worthy but busy with selfies.)
Residenz, Schloss Neuschwanstein, Schloss Linderhof and more- this era of history at the end of the 19th century to me is fascinating to me for what it represents as a turning point for humans with the impending political and cultural backlash, terror and transformation into what we would consider the modern world of the machine.
Address: Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, Germany
Note 1: There is of course the BMW Museum which I did revisit and is not to miss- has aged well. Some honorable mentions being the Alte Pinakothek and the Deutsches Museum. And lastly, kudos to all the surfers sending it in the park on the river right next to Haus der Kunst.
Note 2: For those enthusiastic to get on a bike, Munich is a good city to ride around- once you get out of the old town, the bike lane infrastructure is very good. We took a ride out to Schloss Nymphenburg (did not have time to stop and explore the expansive building or gardens) and rode along the Schlossgartenkanal which was just lovely and stopped at Sarcletti for an ice cream on what was a magical sunny day after so many days of rain.
ofallthespaces 