A Munich Beer Garden Party

Well, the path of Luther ended in Augsburg. We have touched his path since we left Berlin and have had to piece it together out of sequence. But now, we are off to Munich for a day without Luther in a great German City, and then to Oberammergau.

 

For others who have seen the Passion Play there, this is the first year that they end the play at night. It starts at 2:00 pm and ends at 11:00 pm. It is felt that this helps the 2000 citizens involved in the play to do work in the morning and allows the closing scene to be done dramatically in the night. We have heard from people attending this year and been before that it is very moving this way. We are eager to see it. 

 

The bus stopped for a 25 minute photo walk around Schloss Nympheburg, the summer palace constructed for Electress Henriette-Adelaide for giving her husband a male heir. The rest of you women should not get any ideas. This summer palace could house thousands in its rooms and grounds. Land in Munich must have have been cheaper than in LA. We had but minutes to walk around, see the swans and find angles to try to get a picture that captured even a portion of what the scene required. No nymphs were spotted, but sculptures made up for it.

 

The day in Munich was a day with more free time, a brief bus tour of the city, shopping in city center, eating in the Farmers’ Market Square (Viktuallienmarkt), and some time in two of the biggest city churches. With a busy few days on the Path of Luther and Oberammergau coming up tomorrow, we needed an easier day.

 

We saw both Michaelskirche (St. Michaels Cathedral) and Theatinerkirche (St. Cajetan). Although the exterior was under repair, the inside was awe inspiring. It is said to be the second biggest cathedral in Europe, second only to Rome’s St. Peters. Cardinal Cajetan for whom the cathedral was named is the same man who was sent by the Pope to get Luther to recant in Augsburg. Guess that encounter did not hurt him in the eyes of the largely Catholic southern Germany.

 

Tonight we go for dinner in Munich at the Hofbrauhaus in their a Beer Garden. Look out. Here the Lutherans come. OK, we are not a late night crowd and should be in our rooms by 9:30. Lorie is worried that I might ask her to polka if it is possible. I’m ready.

 

But we must save our energy. Tomorrow is the six hour passion play in Oberammergau. We must be ready.

Comments

[Matthew]

Beer garden party is certainly a good idea. You can enjoy the long summer evenings with your family or friends by sitting in the garden with a lovely glass of beer. This party will surely make you all in a fits of giggles.