Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
One of Europe's oldest states, with origins dating back to the 6th century, it's safe to say
that Bavaria, Germany's largest and southernmost Land , has enjoyed a long and eventful
past, one populated by a weird-and- wunderbar cast of oddball kings, scandalous courtes-
ans and infamous Nazis.
However, the Bavaria of today is a relatively new territorial entity, its three distinct tribes
- the Bajuwaren (Bavarians), the Franken (Franconians) and the Schwaben (Swabians) -
each having developed quite separately until thrown in together by Napoleon as the King-
dom of Bavaria in 1806. Munich was founded in 1158 by Duke Heinrich der Löwe (Henry
the Lion), granted town rights in 1175 and declared capital of Bavaria in 1506. Although
never really at the centre of European power, Bavaria was a key player in continental polit-
ics for centuries. Governed by the same family, the colourful Wittelsbachs, for over 700
years, it was able to form a distinct culture that continues to shape its image and identity to
this day. The most famous member of the House of Wittelsbach was King Ludwig II, who
frittered away the family silver on blockbuster castles, thus creating Bavaria's modern tour-
ist industry.
Of course Bavaria of the 20th century is synonymous with the rise of Hitler and the
Nazis who found fertile ground for their ideas in the working class neighbourhoods of Mu-
nich and Nuremberg. The area is littered with reminders of those stormy decades when
mass rallies were held in Nuremberg, and Dachau became the Nazis' first concentration
camp.
After WWII Bavaria firmly established itself as Germany's economic engine, with high-
tech industries and car production in particular making this region one of Europe's most
prosperous. In more recent times Bavaria has given the world an Olympic games, which
ended in tragedy, and a controversial pope, as well as playing a memorable part in the 2006
FIFA World Cup soccer championships.
Tribal Melting Pot
The first recorded inhabitants of Bavaria were
the Celts, who proved to be a pushover for the
Romans who began swarming across the Alps in
the 1st century AD. The invaders founded the
province of Raetia with Augusta Vindelicorum
(Augsburg) as its capital. By the 5th century the
For a comprehensive overview of Bavarian history
(partly in English) see the website of the
 
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