Berlin und München – Nord und Süd

In Germany there are two cities that call themselves the capital, one of them the official capital, the other the „secret“ one. Everybody knows the official capital, that’s Berlin. But the „secret“ capital has always been Munich. Has Munich really got something special about it that other cities don’t have? People who know Munich will answer „yes“ straightaway. But what is it that’s special about this city?
Southern Germany is a tourist centre. No federal state has as many tourists as Bavaria and Munich, and the numbers are rising all the time. Bavaria is the most popular holiday area among both Germans and tourists from all over the world. Munich, thanks partly to its central location, attracts millions of visitors every day, and they usually leave enthusiastic about the city’s special appeal with the nearby lakes and mountains. And when the „Föhn“ is blowing, a warm southerly wind, the sky is a glorious clear blue and you feel you can almost reach out and touch the mountains, so near do they seem. Then people think of street cafés and an almost southern, Mediterranean atmosphere in the summer.
The castles built by the Bavarian King Ludwig II in the 19 th century are just an hour’s drive from Munich. He was the fairytale king who loved castles and music, especially Wagner, whom he brought to Munich. The fact that the king, towards the end of his life, was a very lonely figure, and that he died rather mysteriously in Lake Starnberg means he is shrouded with a fairytale cloak of magic and mystery.
Munich cast a rather jealous glance at Berlin when it was basking in the limelight as the new capital after reunification. The government decided on Berlin in 1991, after the small city of Bonn had been the provisional capital for about 50 years. By the year 2000, the most important ministeries and the government had moved.
A breathtaking building boom developed, with architects of international renown helping to design the new Berlin. Berliners were almost overwhelmed by the dynamism of change in the first years after reunification, observing what was happening with their typical dry sense of humour. Some initial scepticism was eventually transformed into enthusiasm and a touch of pride – the face of the rejuvinated city was indeed impressive. There are still plenty of problems, especially with money. But everyone is convinced that one day, when the buildings are finished and the parks are laid out, Berlin will be one of the finest metropolises there is.