Munich - Take to the skies

"If you have vertigo, back problems or if you have heart disease, this visit is not recommended". This is what the flyer says about visiting the Olympic stadium from its… rooftops!
So be it. I am dizzy and, above all, I am not athletic. But give up on such an experience, never!

Before setting off to conquer the Olympic summits, head to his basements for technical explanations. The presentation film is in German, but it is easy to understand the madness and the incredible ingenuity of this work designed by architects Günter Behnish and Otto Frei. !

We follow the installation of these huge taut nets, foundations that plunge 35 meters into the ground that hold the ropes that anchor the tensile forces firmly in the ground. Acrylic glass squares were then inserted into this wire mesh.
The whole revolutionary construction covers 74,800 m², thus connecting several sites of the park. 34,550 m² houses two-thirds of the stadium's seats.
Duly harnessed, firmly holding his lifeline, the participants climb to the roof (don't panic, a small staircase leads upwards). Under our feet, through the thousands of tiles, the sight of the 69,250 seats is giddy.

Instead, let’s gaze into the distance where Munich looms, the towers of the cathedral, and then, on the horizon, the impressive chain of the Alps. Little by little, you get used to flying 50 meters above the ground. The small footbridge allows you to move forward in complete safety. It is only when reaching the points of the roof that the vertigo manifests itself again, all the more so as the guide invites you to jump in the air and to swing, which makes the roof pitch under our feet!
Depending on the option chosen, possibility of reaching the ground by a very steep staircase, or, much more impressive, via a zip line through the stadium!

Too bad, this lawn steeped in history, witness to sporting exploits, no longer hosts historic matches. Bayern Munich chose the brand new Allianz Arena, built for the 2006 World Cup, instead.

The stadium then embarked on a new vocation: to host major cultural events. The Rollings Stones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen have performed there several times. So that the stadium can continue to host international blockbusters, a complete renovation has been decided. The stadium is part of a site that has become the largest urban leisure park.

Driving a BMW

A few steps from the Olympic stadium, another world makes you dream!

The BMW Welt center is in fact the largest dealership dedicated to the brand with the blue-white diamond! Here, there is plenty of time to learn about the peculiarities and technical details of the latest BMW models but also Rolls Royce. The “killer detail”: (munich06) the umbrella incorporated into the bodywork or the resplendent ceiling of tiny hand-sewn stars ...
The building itself commands admiration. Work of the Austrian architectural firm Coop Himmelblau to which one owes among others the museum of confluences in Lyon. With its rounded shapes, places flooded with lights, it recalls the hills of the Olympic Park.

The coveted vehicles are presented in an attractive scenography. But the heart of the building is only visible through a small film: the day storage room. This is where the vehicles received on site by buyers arrive.
Two robots position the cars for a final inspection. When the customer arrives to receive his new motorized jewel, he discovers it on a rotating platform in a surprising setting.
To learn more about the history (and the present) of the legendary Bavarian brand, head to the adjoining museum.

The blue rider and street art

What do the members of the Blue Rider movement have in common with street art? Quite simply, art.
Munich is full of museums. Of all styles, for all tastes: paintings and sculptures covering all eras; emblematic figures of the city and the region; retracing the small and the great history, customs; retracing technical discoveries and so on. Without forgetting the castles! Impossible to visit them all. To get a good overview anyway, head to the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum which is perfect for a family visit. In these majestic rooms, each visitor finds his happiness.

The works of art on display cover the different eras and rooms dedicated to porcelain, musical instruments, furniture and textiles, silverware, weapons or even Christmas cribs offer a beautiful overview of the art. and history in Europe over several centuries. A little extra, on Sundays, entry costs only one euro.

After this journey through 2,000 years of art (or almost), return to the present. Head to the Lenbachhaus, cradle of the Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) movement and this group of expressionist-inspired artists was founded by Wassily Kandinsky, August Macke and Franz Marc. Going from one room to another in the villa, we follow the path of the artists.

The figurative painting slowly slides towards the abstract where the artist expresses himself through a subtle play of lines and colors. The viewer no longer contemplates a representation of a landscape, a scene of life, but feels emotions arise within him. The subtle staging makes it easy to understand this fascinating development. The Blue Rider almanac, published in 1912, bridges the gap to another artistic expression, Street Art. "It doesn't matter if an African carved a figurine 200 years ago, if an old peasant woman paints a pious image or a peasant whistles a melody: as soon as there is a cultural effort, it is important."

Direction the Donnersbergerbrücke served by the S-Bahn. The parking lot under the bridge is as squalid as any other parking lot like it (you avoid the place after dark). Except that its pillars constitute the largest open-air gallery in Germany in the field of street art. This movement was also initiated in Munich in the early 1980s. Internationally renowned artists were invited to take over the many pillars supporting the bridge.

With the only ban: no sexist or racist subjects.
The result is breathtaking is surprising by the quality of the work but also the patterns chosen. To understand all the details, get to know the artists, but also discover other high places of street art, it is better to go with a guide.

Surf in Munich!

The great wave

Don't be surprised if, on your way for early morning coffee, you come across an attractive young man on his bike in a swimming suit, a surfboard under his arm and his hair still dripping wet. He is quite simply one of the young surfers who indulged in his favorite sport before going to work.
Surfing in the heart of Munich?

We think we are dreaming! Direction the bridge near the Haus der Kunst art museum, where the small Eisbach stream meets the vast "English Garden". This is where the icy water breaks over a concrete threshold, a constant wave attracts surfers. But beware, this is not a spot for beginners: the concrete threshold is dangerous as are the stony shore, the fast current and the limited space. Even "great" surfers accustomed to legendary waves in Hawaii or Australia have learned respect in front of this unique wave: here, there is no question of waiting quietly for the wave, you have to ride it as soon as the board hits the sea. water !

And to finish, some photos of the stay