The low skyline of Munich is dominated by the 323-foot-high, copper-topped spires of the old Frauenkirche cathedral, which by tradition are meant to remain the tallest things in town. Looking up from the street, however, the things you first notice are construction cranes. They are everywhere. Munich is a medieval city; its official founding day is June 14, 1158. But Munich is refounding itself all over again, and fast. Even if you’ve been this way before ((say, for a sudsy Oktoberfest), you’ll pass through quite a different place when you return.
Few cities are as burdened by visual clichés as Munich. Once seen, the jovial chap in leather shorts with a silly feather in his silly hat is impossible to unsee. He’s still around, bless him, hoisting his silo-size beer stein. Munich holds tight to its Bavarian traditions. But today’s Münchner is just as likely to be a skinny young coder in a hoodie who has moved to this town to become a part of the frenetic start-up scene. Read more…
