Friday, 18 January 2013

Englischer Garten, Munich.



Englischer Garten is a 910 acre public park in Munich, much bigger than Central Park in New York, that is styled on an 18th-19th century style popular in Britain at the time. It was opened in 1792 and now contains a Japanese tea house, a nude sunbathing area, streams, an artificial lake, beer gardens and the Chinesischer Turm, as well as gardens and other architecture. This makes it a perfect place to relax in the sun, go for a jog  or have a beer or two!!


Friday, 11 January 2013

Heiliggeistkirche, Munich

Heiliggeistkirche is a Gothic hall church which originally belonged to the Hospice of the Holy Ghost in the 14th century but was remodelled in 1724-1730. After the hospice buildings were demolished in 1885, Franz Lšwel added three bays at the west end of the church and gave it a neo-Baroche facade.

The church, like many buildings in Munich, suffered severe damage during WWII and was restored afterwards.

Thursday, 10 January 2013

BMW headquarters, Munich.



Built by 1972 and standing at 331ft, the BMW warehouse is one of the most notable landmarks in Munich. The main tower consists of four vertical towers separated in the centre. The four towers are suspended from the main tower, not actually touching the ground. There is also a museum across the road which you can visit.
 Located near the Olympic Village (for the 1972 Munich Olympics), it is easy to get to via underground train and holds tours (in German and English) which last up to two hours, allowing you to see firsthand how BMWs are built (it may be worth booking your tour in advance ). If you don't get time to go, you can get an amazing view from the Olympic Tower in the Olympic village, which is only a short walk away.

Saturday, 22 December 2012

Natural History Museum, London.


The Natural History Museum, London, houses over 70 million items of botany, zoology, minerology, entemology and palaeontology, often described as a 'Cathedral of Nature'. It contains rare specimens, such as those collected by Darwin and several Dinosaur skeletons. It's research is also world-renown, specialising in taxonomy and conservation.
It all started in 1753 when Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and collector of natural curiosities, left his collection to the state. They were held in the British Museum, until, after more additions, they were given their own home in the Waterhouse Building, designed by Liverpool architect Alfred Waterhouse. 
Since then, a Geological Museum, Darwin House (containing tens of millions of preserved specimens) and an Attenborough Studio (a high-tech audio-visual venue which also holds talks and lectures) have been added.
Admission is free, although entrance to some exhibitions may require a fee.

Saturday, 15 December 2012

Tower Bridge, London.


Completed in 1894, Tower bridge (named due to it's proximity to the Tower of London) has become one the the most iconic London landmarks to date. The 801 ft suspension bridge crosses over the River Thames allowing both pedestrians and traffic to cross and can be raised to allow ships to pass. For a fee, you can visit the inside of the towers (Tower Bridge Exhibition) and discover more of the history of the bridge.


Wednesday, 12 December 2012

The Shard, London.



This 309.6m, 95-storey sky scraper, completed this year, is the tallest building in the European Union and 2nd tallest in Europe. It boasts a 5-storey viewing deck from the 68th-72nd floor, office space, a hotel, restaurants and a spa.
Made with 11,000 panes of glass, the building reflects the sky above, the appearance changing with the weather and the seasons.

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Hofgarten, Munich.


The Hofgarten in Munich was built from 1613-1617 by Maximilian I as an Italian style renaissance garden. After being destroyed in WWII, it was rebuilt with a more modern twist. On the east of the garden is the Bavarian Staatskanzlei (State chancellery - above), whilst a pavilion (Below) for the Goddess Diana (a Goddess associated with animals and woodland), built in 1615, can be found in the centre with a path leading from each of its 8 arches. In the north east of the garden is a granite memorial to White Rose group, a group of people who staged non-violent campaigns against Hitler's regime and were executed as a result.