History, Munich

Munich was founded in the 12th century. It used to be a very small market place situated alongside the salt-route coming from Austria and going to western parts of Germany. For almost 500 years Munich was a very small, remote and set-back town until the early 19th century. Bavaria became a kingdom and therefore the capital of Bavaria became the royal residency. The city soon grew bigger, the city wall came down and all the surropunding villages became part of the city of Munich. The Bavarian kings started to build up a glamorous and shiny town that attracted businesspeople, students and artist from all over Germany. Also Munich’s post World War history is one of a continuing advancement: In 1972 Munich was host of the Olympic games and therefore most of its inner city has been restored for that. In the following years more and more businesses settled down in Munich, it pedestrian zone became the liveliest of all Germany and in June 2006 the first match of the soccer worldcup took place in Munich’s new soccer arena.