850 years have passed since the Guelph Henry the Lion founded the city. In a European comparison the city is not particularly old. This makes it all the more surprising that a "monks' settlement" has developed into one of Europe's most important high-tech metropolises. Munich represents both Bavarian culture and top performance in science and economy.Today, with around 1.3 million inhabitants, Munich is the third largest city in the Federal Republic of Germany and also one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. And, with well in excess of 100,000 students, it is also Germany's largest and most important university city. Munich represents both Bavarian culture and top performance in science and finance.
 
The mixture of art, culture and economy is also reflected in tourism figures. The city has accommodation for more than 26,000 tourists. Most of these beds are occupied at least once a year – during the famous Oktoberfest held from the end of September to the start of October. What started out in 1810 as a horse race in honor of the marriage between crown prince Ludwig (later to become Ludwig 1 of Bavaria) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen is now the largest and best known festivity of its kind in the world and is held every year on Theresienwiese.
 
 
Munich – The Trade Show Capital
Messe München International (MMI), as the organizer of around 40 trade shows each year for producer and consumer goods and new technologies, is one of the world's largest trade fair organizations. The fairs include a number of leading trade shows, such as LASER World of PHOTONICS. Since the trade fair moved from the city center to the former airport grounds in Riem, with the New Munich Trade Fair Center, the company now has one the most modern trade fair sites in the world – attractive for exhibitors and visitors alike due to the ideal infrastructure, extensive services and also because of the excellent leisure facilities available in the city and the surrounding areas.
 
Exhibitors and visitors can book their hotel rooms and make their arrival and departure arrangements simply, quickly and directly through a service partner of Messe München. If required, a fringe program in Munich or the surrounding area can also be planned and organized.
 
Munich – The Culture Capital
The Bavarian metropolis on the River Isar has countless world-class cultural facilities: the Bavarian State Opera, the Staatsspielhaus, the Munich Kammerspiele and the Stadttheater attract more than 1.3 million visitors every year. The famous Munich Philharmonic and the Radio Symphony Orchestra ensure Munich's reputation as a city of music.
A true visitor magnet is the Deutsche Museum - with around 28,000 exhibits, it is the largest natural science-technical museum in the world.
 
Munich's art precinct is home to almost all the city's important art museums. The three Pinakotheks (Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne), together with the Glyptothek, the Antique Collection, Lenbachhaus, the Brandhorst Collection and Schack Galerie, form a unique collection of museums containing artwork from ancient times to the present.
 
 
Munich on foot
The history of Munich can be explored by foot in countless historical buildings, wide boulevards and squares and in beautiful baroque and renaissance churches. When you have had enough culture for one day, you will find relaxation accompanied by original Bavarian entertainment in one of the many Munich beer cellars and beer gardens or while strolling through the expansive English Garden – just the thing to end a stress-filled day at the trade show. If you get tired of the city, in less than an hour you can be in the picturesque alpine upland region with its many lakes. Swimming, diving, sailing or simply relaxing on the jetty – the lakes provide a pleasant change and a relaxed holiday atmosphere with an alpine panorama as a backdrop.