The Hofgarten in Munich

The Hofgarten is the garden of the Residenz, the city palace of the former Bavarian kings and princes. It is a Renaissance garden in Italian style, said to be the most important one north of the Alps. The park was built in the years 1614 and 1615. In the centre is the temple of Diana by Heinrich Schön (1615).

On the roof of the pavilion, in the centre of the Munich Hofgarten, there is a bronze figure, the so-called „Tellus Bavarica“. It was designed by Hans Krumpper in 1623. The Tellus Bavarica shows the riches of the country in the form of symbols such as salt, animal skin and cure apple.

The palace garden in Munich has been redesigned many times during the 400 years of history. In the northern part is the interesting German Theatre Museum. Good street musicians often play in the Diana pavilion. At the western exit of the Hofgarten is a good café with a beer garden.

The Hofgarten is a popular place to stay for the many office workers in Munich’s city centre, especially during their lunch break. It is a quiet place in the otherwise hectic center of Munich.

Our recommendation: Best city tours in Munich

3 bus-lines, all with one ticket: Be sure to buy tickets for CitySightseeing Munich cheaply online using this link

You can get out on the way and continue on the next bus (hop-on hop-off)

Bookable online with a discount using using this link

All 3 lines depart directly opposite Munich main station

Entrance fee Hofgarten: It is a public park, the entrance is free.

Opening hours Hofgarten: The Hofgarten is not locked, so it is always open, even at night

Directions to the Hofgarten Munich: Underground: U3, U4, U5, U6 Odeonsplatz, from there only a few metres on foot in the direction of Ludwigstraße on the right-hand side. The entrance is next to the Cafe Tambosi, which can be seen from Odeonsplatz.

In the rear (eastern) part of the Hofgarten is the Bavarian State Chancellery (the seat of the Bavarian government). Nearby are also the Munich Feldherrnhalle and the Munich Theatiner Church.

Great bike city tour through Munich: The city center of Munich is quite large. It’s not easy to see everything on foot in one day. A bike tour is ideal. On this tour (3 to 3.5 hours) the bike comes from the city tour provider. Well done tour through Munich with sights in the center, English Garden etc.: More information and booking

Bavarian State Chancellery

The mixture of old and new architecture in the Bavarian State Chancellery at the Munich Hofgarten (Photo: © C. Schiller – Fotolia.com)

The Bavarian State Chancellery is the highest authority in Bavaria and supports the government and the Minister President. The building was partly newly built in the 80s and 90s (a lot of glass), but partly it was also derived from the old army museum (like the dome in the middle). The architecture of the building is controversial. Some people like the mixture of old and new elements, others do not like this unusual mix at all.

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