Hofgarten and War Memorial, Munich

Hofgarten and War Memorial, Munich

The Hofgarten is a serene green space nestled in the heart of Munich, situated between the Residenz Royal Palace and the English Garden.

This garden was commissioned by Elector Maximilian I and designed in the Italian Renaissance style between 1613 and 1617. It is organized around two central pathways that converge at a structure known as the Temple of Diana, which was designed by architect Heinrich Schön the elder in 1615. Originally, a 1623 sculpture of Bavaria by Hubert Gerhard stood on the rooftop, but now only a replica is on the Temple, while the original is in the Residenz. The Hofgarten was damaged in World War II but was later restored to its original design.

Maintaining its 17th-century charm, the garden features meticulously arranged lawns and flower beds. The original water features and fountains have been restored and are in working order. In the northeast corner of the garden stands a square black granite monument dedicated to the White Rose group, a gathering of philosophy students who were executed following an unjust trial for their non-violent resistance against the Nazi regime. T.S. Eliot references the Hofgarten in his poem, "The Waste Land," symbolizing the decline of European royal families and the hollowness of aristocratic life.

Towards the eastern end of the Hofgarten, in front of the Bayerische Staatskanzlei, you'll find the Kriegerdenkmal, a memorial to commemorate the Munich citizens who lost their lives in World War I. Inside a rectangular enclosure, an open crypt holds a statue of a fallen soldier. Inaugurated by Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria, in 1924, it was completed in 1928 and now enjoys cultural heritage status.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Hofgarten and War Memorial on Map

Sight Name: Hofgarten and War Memorial
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Munich, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Munich

Create Your Own Walk in Munich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Munich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Munich Introduction Walking Tour

Munich Introduction Walking Tour

Straddling the banks of the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps, Bavaria’s capital Munich is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous attractions.

The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

The Old Town of Munich, sprawling on the west bank of the River Isar, is a treasure trove of architectural splendor and cultural heritage. Also known in German as Altstadt, this medieval area forms the historic core and cultural heart of the Bavarian capital. The entire Old Town is listed as a historical monument and is a living museum – “where the past harmonizes with the present in a grand...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shops

Old Town Souvenir Shops

"Collect moments, not things," wise men say. In reference to travel, this may be interpreted as the prevalence of experiences and memories over material gains. Still, when it comes to travel mementos, albeit material they are, memories and experiences are primarily what these little (or not so little) tokens are all about.

And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Third Reich Munich Walking Tour

Third Reich Munich Walking Tour

In the first quarter of the 20th century, the capital of Bavaria, Munich, was ill-fated to become the birthplace of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (aka NSDAP or Nazi Party) and the site of its early activities. The city played a significant role in the rise and consolidation of power of the Nazi Party and, ultimately, the establishment of the Third Reich.

The Third Reich went...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles

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