HOME   ARTICLES   ABOUT US   LINKS   SPECIAL DEALS   CONTACT

Bargain Travel Europe guide to Europe on a budget for unusual destinations and secret spots missed by the major travel tours.

GESUNDHEIT AND CULTURE IN THE NUDE DAY SUN
Munich's Englischer Garten Park

Since 1789 the Englischer Garten (English Garden) has been a central landmark of Munich cultural life, but actually owes its verdant existence to an American, Benjamin Thompson who established himself as a Bavarian Count von Rumsford and became Bavaria War Minister under the Wittelsbach Prince Karl Thoedore. Originally this marshland runoff area from the Isar River was intended to be a military grounds, but von Rumsford decided it should be a park for the people instead. American radical!

Architect Friedrich Ludvig von Sckell was engaged to design the park for public recreation and exercise and still well serves that purpose. The park also included an agricultural college. Called the Englischer Garten not because it has anything to do with Great Britain, but that it follows the form of a non-formal country English garden rather that the formal layout of a royal ground such as can be found at Munich’s former royal “Residence” nearby in the city's center (See A Tour Walk From The Marienplatz).

Find best hotel deals in Munich

Covering a long strip from the inner ring near Munich’s Art Museum and forming the eastern border of the city’s very popular Schwabing district near the University, the park is criss-crossed by many paths that lead to the Kleinhesselhoer Lake on its northern end. Strolling, running, biking and nude sun-bathing! are popular activities in the warm summer days. The middle of the 5 km long park is dominated by circular Greek style Monopteros Temple standing on a hill over looking the green grasses. Those interested in culture can visit the Japanese Tea House built in 1972 as a gift from Japan when the Olympics came to Munich, or the historic Chinese Tower built in 1790 as part of the original park which at Christmas hosts a very popular arts and crafts festival, the Weinachtsmarkt.

The lake is the beating heart of the park with boating rentals from the sea house and ever popular feeding of the ducks and swans which eagerly swim alongside the lake view beer garden restaurant with nearby amphitheater offering open air plays in summer. © Bargain Travel Europe

Where to stay? See Also
BABBLING BROOK AND BICYCLES
Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Munich

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

SEE ALSO:

THESE OVENS DON'T BAKE BREAD
A Sobering Must-Visit to Dachau

BAROQUE IN BAVARIA- ETTAL BASILICA
in the Oberbayern near Garmish-Partenkirchen

ART AND AUGUSTINER
Castle Art Museum in the Bavarian Alps

MAD KING LUDVIG'S PLEASURE PALACE
Schloss Linderhof

LONDON'S SECRET GARDEN
Kensington Rooftop Gardens

Privacy
Legal
Contact

Discover Cheap Travel in Europe on a Budget with Bargain Travel Europe and also visit Bargain Travel West for travel ideas in western North America --- ©2006-09 Winged Lion Entertainment Ventures, LLC