Get away and spend a fairytale day at Germany’s most popular castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein. You’ll be amazed at the views as the castle overlooking the Höhenschwangau valley and the beautiful landscape of the Bavarian Alps surrounding the magnificent castle. The castle is so magical, Walt Disney was even inspired by it!

King Ludwig began to create the castle during the 19^thcentury (1869) during a time when castles no longer had strategically and defensive purposes. Although, inside the castle has many new technologies and advancements for its time. Such as toilets with automatic flushing systems and air heating for the whole castle. King Ludwig had very extravagant wishes for the castle and wanted it to be perfect. However, the construction was not finished before his death in 1886 and it’s still not finished to this day.

If you’re interested in touring the inside of the castle make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time and claim the tickets 90 minutes before the guided tour begins. From Munich it’s approximately a two-hour train ride to Füssen. I’d suggest buying the Bayern ticket for transportation; it’s a day ticket option giving you a round trip journey for 26 Euro and 5 Euro for every additional person up to five people. This ticket will also cover the bus ride from Füssen to the ticket center.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be a Prinzessin in this castle?Take your time exploring and walking up the hill to the charming castle. There are many interesting facts and by visiting the castle you can see for yourself!

There are many tales about the origins of the Christmas tree. However, the Tannenbaum as we know it has its roots in Germany and has of course grown all across the world.

The concept of having living plants inside homes began with the northern European Vikings, to the Romans and Ancient Egyptians, just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season. Ancient people hung evergreens such as pine, spruce, and fir trees over their doors and windows during the winter. This was a reminder of summer when the plants would return and in some cases it was believed that evergreens would keep witches, ghosts, illness, and evil spirits away.

On his walk home one night, German theologian Martin Luther (1483-1546) admired how the Sterne twinkled and sparkled through the forest trees. He envisioned the Sterne as Lichter from Heaven guiding him home through the dark forest, like how the Star of Bethlehem led the Three Wise Men to the stable of the feeling inspired, he took a small Tannenbaum home and dekorierte it with Kerzen recapturing the scene for his family. Soon the concept spread throughout the community and Martin Luther is believed to be the inspiration behind Kerzen decorating the Tannenbaum as a way to remember the story of Weihnachten.

Later on, Germans introduced the Weihnachtsbaum to my home country in America. In the 18^thcentury German settlers in Pennsylvania and Ohio put up the first American Weihnachtsbaum. After some time this trend grew in the States with variations on the traditional German custom. 

In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert were sketched in a picture with their children standing around a Weihnachtsbaum. With the power of the Royals celebrity the Weihnachtsbaum had a transatlantic spread and people from all over desired to have such a Weihnachtsbaum. This tradition remains and with no surprise, the man behind the Christmas choice was none other than her German husband who longed for having a reminder of his home during the Weihnachtssaison.

There’s even more history behind the traditional Weihnachtsschmuck, and we will go deeper into that another time. Hope you can enjoy seeing some of the beautiful Weihnachtsbaum sparkling through the city! 

“O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie grün sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.”

Der Weihnachtsbaum – Christmas tree (lit: Christmas tree)

Der Tannenbaum – Fir tree

Der Weihnachtsschmuck – Christmas decorations

Die Glaskugel/Baumkugel – Bauble (glass ball/’tree ball’)

Die Kerze – Candle

Die elektrische Kerzen – Electric candles/fairy lights

Die Lichter – Lights

Der Kranz – Wreath

Der Stern – Star

dekorieren – to decorate

St. Nikolaus Day is on the 6^thof December. Nikolaus visits usually children in order to reward or punish them when being naughty. His story goes back on a legend. Nikolaus inherited prosperity from his parents, but he wasn’t satisfied and happy. Therefore he decided to give his life a deeper sense. While he was helping homeless people, he noticed, he has no pockets for giving food. Thus, he adapted a new style and filled his pockets with nuts, apples and mandarins. These became traditional presents for St. Nikolaus Day. He sacrifieced his old life and learned how to live in abstinence.

Here in Bavaria Nikolaus is accompanied by Krampus, a hairy and scary devil with horns. He punishes naughty children and together they represent the image of good and bad. Also at the end of the year Krampus casts out the evil souls.

In Bavarian families the parents usually hire a Nikolaus and a Krampus at the 6^thof December. In the evening the children sit waiting around the table and present a poem or song to Nikolaus showing respect.

Walking around Munich on St. Nikolaus day I found him in the most unexpected way, as I was boarding the train! His legend lives on during this special time of the year.

The tradition dates back to the mid-19^thcentury, when German Protestants lit candles and marked doors to count the days until Christmas. The word „Advent“ has a latin background, and means „Arrival“. The time of “Arrival”, before Christmas, should adjust our view on things like tranquility and reflection. The Kalender accompanies us during Christmas time. A german, Gerhard Lang, created our Adventskalender. He took the idea from his mother, who prepared him for the arrival of Christmas with 24 colored pictures attached to a piece of cardboard to count the days til Christmas. Well nowadays we know, that some pictures on cardboard don’t represent anymore the soul of our time. Adventskalender have developed to an all-around product with a lot potential. You can purchase a Kalender with some a wide assortment of fine chocolate, treats, toys, and other goodies. But of course the heart of a Kalender, the pictures, were kept. This year 22 Million Adventskalender found a new home. But not just in Germany. Other countries, even those which don’t celebrate Christmas, want a german Adventskalender.

As a person who followed this german tradition, I think it makes Christmas more special, exciting, and gives the feeling of appreciation for this time of the year. It produces its own charme and brings you back into your childhood.

Suchen Sie nach der Niederegger Lübeck Schokolade, wenn sie können. Das Marzipan ist das Beste! 

This city represents a lot of culture and tradition which forms not only an picture of Bavaria but Germany as a whole. The world knows about the food, the beer, and the Oktoberfest naturally. However, that only represents a bit of German society.

Munich is pulsating and constantly redefining itself. A mix of tradition and modernity have complimented each other over the years and settled into a city that hasn’t forgotten it’s tradition and pride throughout.

The understanding of making bread for instance has deep roots in Bavarian culture. Over generations recipes were handed to our time and have been interpreted creatively. The traditional bread product plays a tasty role in my favorite coffee shop Aran, and it’s conveniently located only one stop away from the Deutsch Akademie. Check it out for some good eats bread and cake!

So in order to not just scratch the surface of Munich but to also understand the pride and identity of the city, learning the language is the key. It turns you from a tourist to a child of Munich. The language is your “yes” to a new experience and discovery. It will bring you ahead, uniting you more with the city and the people. I’m happy to have the opportunity to learn German here at the Deutsch Akademie and sharing it with you guys!

All the best and enjoy Munich.

Servus!