GERMANY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 253

Base City: MUNICH (München)
www.muenchen.de
E-mail: [e-mail]
City Dialing Code: 089
Munich (München), the capital and heart of Bavaria, is situated in the center of a
vast plain washed by the Isar River. Founded in 1158, it was given the status of a
town in 1214. The immaculate and astonishing beauty of its countryside is visible
in any direction. Rimmed by the Alps to the south and dark green pine forests in
all other quadrants, Munich becomes the gateway to day excursions galore. With a
population of more than a million, Munich is Germany's third-largest city, but it still
retains its unmatched roisterous elegance.
Munich's mood is always festive, but twice a year the tempo soars even higher
as the city observes Fasching and Oktoberfest. Fasching celebrations are held dur-
ing January and February. The festivities could be compared to Mardi Gras, only
Müncheners get a head start on everyone by cranking up just after New Year's Eve
and never letting up until the sun sets on Ash Wednesday!
During this period of Fasching revelry, thousands of masked balls and parties are
staged. Many are in fancy dress, and sometimes masks are worn because individu-
als don't wish to reveal their identities to their partners—who are seldom the ones
they came in with. It's often a complete surprise when the inevitable unmasking
takes place.
The coming of Lent doesn't dampen Munich's spirits one drop, for it marks the
beginning of the strong beer season. Munich's monks, limited to one meal a day
throughout Lent (but with no limit on their drinking), started this ancient custom that
still prevails today. They asked the brewmasters if, during Lent, they could increase
the regular alcoholic content of their product; the brewmasters agreed—and every-
one apparently has lived happily ever after. There are six major breweries in Mu-
nich.
Oktoberfest, instituted by a Bavarian king in 1810 on the occasion of the mar-
riage between Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburgshausen and Prince Ludwig
(later King Ludwig I), actually takes place during the latter part of September and
ends the first weekend in October. About six million liters of beer are produced by
the city's breweries and dispensed directly from huge, chilled barrels in enormous
tents serving as beer halls. Bands play throughout the day and long into the night