History
Munich was first mentioned in records in 1158. Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, established a toll bridge near a settlement of monks here and so Munich owes its name to the Middle High German word for 'monk'. A monk adorned the city's coat of arms as early as 1239.
Religion has always played a major role in Munich: numerous monasteries and churches in the city can be traced back to the Capuchin order that is still resident there today. Buildings such as the Renaissance church of St. Michael, which was built as the centre of the Catholic Counter Reformation in the late 16th century, or the landmark Frauenkirche cathedral are major elements in the cityscape.
Living in Munich
The English Garden, a public park in the northeast of Munich, is even bigger than New York's Central Park and is the ideal place to jog, cycle or go riding. There are many beer gardens where you can relax over a litre of beer and a portion of white sausage or you can enjoy the view of the nearby Alps from the Olympic Tower.
With Switzerland, Austria and Italy all nearby, a huge variety of day trips is possible including leisure activities such as hiking, climbing or mountain biking. In winter there are plenty of ski resorts for sports and relaxation.
Districts such as trendy Schwabing, lively Pasing with its turn-of-the-century villas and desirable Haidhausen offer a high quality of life. This also affects rents - housing is more expensive in Munich than in any other German city.
