Photos by Helen Fallon

July 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Michael Stengl, product manager of advertisements at Sueddeutsche Zeitung, shows the students and faculty specially printed BMW advertisements. (Helen Fallon photograph)

Michael Stengl, product manager of advertisements at Sueddeutsche Zeitung, shows the students and faculty specially printed BMW advertisements.

Professor Aimee-Marie Dorsten gets Carson Allwes moving to a Munich visit.

Professor Aimee-Marie Dorsten gets Carson Allwes moving to a Munich visit.

Alexa Blanchard and Johnie Freiwald check out a special advertisement in the pages of Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

Alexa Blanchard and Johnie Freiwald check out a special advertisement in the pages of Munich’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

Johnie Freiwald gets a birthday surprise at the last dinner in Munich.

Johnie Freiwald gets a birthday surprise at the last dinner in Munich.

Zack Durkin in his new lederhosen, right in the midst of Munich's Marienplatz.

Zack Durkin in his new lederhosen, right in the midst of Munich’s Marienplatz.

Checking out a cemetery following the final Berlin dinner.

Checking out a cemetery following the final Berlin dinner.

Munich tour guide Anroud Beck explains a model of the rebuilt Munich to students on the day they arrived.

Munich tour guide Anroud Beck explains a model of the rebuilt Munich to students on the day they arrived.

Axel Springer Academy students explain what they're learning to the Point Park students and faculty.

Axel Springer Academy students explain what they’re learning to the Point Park students and faculty.

Alexa takes Zack's photograph on the outside deck of the Reichstag.

Alexa takes Zack’s photograph on the outside deck of the Reichstag.

Following the Deutsche Welle visit, managing director Fabian von der Mark took the Point Park group to the station's rooftop for a fabulous view of downtown Berlin. Here part of the group poses for a photograph.

Following the Deutsche Welle visit, managing director Fabian von der Mark took the Point Park group to the station’s rooftop for a fabulous view of downtown Berlin. Here part of the group poses for a photograph.

Carson Allwes takes a photograph from the Deutsche Welle rooftop.

Carson Allwes takes a photograph from the Deutsche Welle rooftop.

Berlin tour guide Lorena Bianchi leads students and faculty through Berlin on their way to a media visit.

Berlin tour guide Lorena Bianchi leads students and faculty through Berlin on their way to a media visit.

The Topography of Terror, a commemorative site in Berlin, details the Nazi Party's rise to power in 1933 through the end of the war and the Nuremberg trials. Here Professor David Fabilli views some of the public shaming Jews endured in the years leading up to the Holocaust.

The Topography of Terror, a commemorative site in Berlin, details the Nazi Party’s rise to power in 1933 through the end of the war and the Nuremberg trials. Here Professor David Fabilli views some of the public shaming Jews endured in the years leading up to the Holocaust.

Professor David Fabilli and several Point Park students stop to take photographs at Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg, where scenes from "Sound of Music" were filmed.

Professor David Fabilli and several Point Park students stop to take photographs at Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg, where scenes from “Sound of Music” were filmed.

Munich tour guide Arnoud Beck explains how the Dachau prisoners were crammed into the barrack's sleeping quarters.

Munich tour guide Arnoud Beck explains how the Dachau prisoners were crammed into the barrack’s sleeping quarters.

Tour guide Ursula leads Point Park students through Salzburg streets.

Tour guide Ursula leads Point Park students through Salzburg streets.

Filed Under: Helen Fallon, Photography ·

Photos by Carson Allwes

July 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
The devil's footprint sits on a tile inside the church.

The devil’s footprint sits on a tile inside the church.

The Glockenspiel in Munich is in the center of Marienplatz. It rings at 5 p.m. each day.

The Glockenspiel in Munich is in the center of Marienplatz. It rings at 5 p.m. each day.

Cathedrals are a staple in Salzburg and are often very ornate and grand.

Cathedrals are a staple in Salzburg and are often very ornate and grand.

This Marienplatz street vendor sells fresh produce, including spargel, or white asparagus.

This Marienplatz street vendor sells fresh produce, including spargel, or white asparagus.

Tour guide Aroud Beck shows the students a model of the city.

Tour guide Aroud Beck shows the students a model of the city.

Arnoud Beck leads the Point Park students on a walking tour of Munich.

Arnoud Beck leads the Point Park students on a walking tour of Munich.

Filed Under: Carson Allwes, Photography ·

Photos by Katie Pflug

July 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
A wall at the Topography of Terrors museum reads 'Madness'.

A wall at the Topography of Terrors museum reads ‘Madness’.

Isabella Schopp gives a presentation at the Munich Tourism Office.

Isabella Schopp gives a presentation at the Munich Tourism Office.

Isabella Schopp gives a presentation on the Munich Tourism Office.

Isabella Schopp gives a presentation on the Munich Tourism Office.

Neuschwanstein is nestled in the hills of Hohenschwangau, Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein is nestled in the hills of Hohenschwangau, Bavaria.

A view from inside Neuschwanstein Castle.

A view from inside Neuschwanstein Castle.

A view from inside Neuschwanstein Castle.

A view from inside Neuschwanstein Castle.

Two castles are better than one.

Two castles are better than one.

A series in the BMW museum.

A series in the BMW museum.

the doors to the camp read arbeit macht frei - labor makes you free.

the doors to the camp read arbeit macht frei – labor makes you free.

Germans frequently add beer and pretzels to meals.

Germans frequently add beer and pretzels to meals.

The exterior of Axel Springer.

The exterior of Axel Springer.

Berlin pretzels are best pretzels.

Berlin pretzels are best pretzels.

Exhibit at the Topography of Terrors.

Exhibit at the Topography of Terrors.

A view of Berlin.

A view of Berlin.

Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery.

Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery.

Filed Under: Katie Pflug, Photography ·

Photos by Johnie Freiwald

July 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
The Students observe the love locks placed on the Markarsteg Bridge in Salzburg Austria.

The Students observe the love locks placed on the Markarsteg Bridge in Salzburg Austria.

The Mirabell Gardens where parts of "The Sound of Music" was filmed.

The Mirabell Gardens where parts of “The Sound of Music” was filmed.

Evening view from our hotel in Munich, overlooking the train station.

Evening view from our hotel in Munich, overlooking the train station.

The German flag and evening sky from atop the Reichstag.

The German flag and evening sky from atop the Reichstag.

The Neuschwanstein Castle.

The Neuschwanstein Castle.

A statue of the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg Austria.

A statue of the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg Austria.

Rooftop view from Deutsche Welle.

Rooftop view from Deutsche Welle.

Leeor Englander greets the Point Park students and faculty.

Leeor Englander greets the Point Park students and faculty.

View from the walk to the Neushwanstein Castle.

View from the walk to the Neushwanstein Castle.

Young Palestinian Diplomats at ZDF during our lecture and Q&A session.

Young Palestinian Diplomats at ZDF during our lecture and Q&A session.

Part of the ever-changing artwork at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, where artists paint and create works on what remains of the Berlin Wall.

Part of the ever-changing artwork at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, where artists paint and create works on what remains of the Berlin Wall.

Students and faculty traveled to many destinations by public transportation. Here they wait for a train in Munich.

Students and faculty traveled to many destinations by public transportation. Here they wait for a train in Munich.

The audience of ZDF's morning talk show, MoMa Cafe.

The audience of ZDF’s morning talk show, MoMa Cafe.

Wulf and his co-host chat with musical act Frida Gold

Wulf and his co-host chat with musical act Frida Gold

Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral

Sara Tallerico poses with Stefan and Martin from BMW.

Sara Tallerico poses with Stefan and Martin from BMW.

Filed Under: Johnie Freiwald, Photography ·

Photos by Michelle Graessle

June 28, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
MG

Downtown Munich offers a variety of things to do and see for each and everyone of its visitors and residents.

The Reichstag serves as an icon of rebirth to the people of Germany.

The Reichstag serves as an icon of rebirth to the people of Germany.

The East Side Gallery features street art on the former location of the Berlin Wall.

The East Side Gallery features street art on the former location of the Berlin Wall.

A grave marker pays tribute to the unknown victims.

A grave marker pays tribute to the unknown victims.

The Checkpoint Charlie museum is a tribute to crossing checkpoint between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.

The American Sector in Berlin features shops, restaurants, and architecture that are not unlike our own cities.

The Glockenspiel in Munich sits in the center of Marienplatz and rings every day at 5 p.m.

The Glockenspiel in Munich sits in the center of Marienplatz and rings every day at 5 p.m.

Filed Under: Michelle Graessle, Photography ·

BMW and the power of innovation

June 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
A series in the BMW museum.

BMW features a museum full of history and beautiful luxury vehicles.
(photo by Katie Pflug)

by Michelle Graessle

Black leather seats. The cool smoothness of a steering wheel in eager hands. The tenacious purr of a hand crafted engine. Jaw-dropping design that would leave Leonardo Da Vinci in awe. This machine belongs in one place: on the road.

The classic image of a sleek BMW is only slightly altered for the company’s newest concept, BMW i. That difference is not actually even visible, only audible because the BMW i series of vehicles is completely electric. Although its purr may be somewhat muted, its innovation, power and design are unaltered if not improved.

Manuel Sattig, communication manager for BMW project I, is adamant that although combustion engines are becoming more efficient, they will eventually be phased out and electro-mobility will be at the forefront of automotive innovation. He said that people are becoming more and more interested in the environmental and ecological responsibility of the products they buy. With that in mind, and BMW being a customer-driven company, it has to keep up with its customers’ wants and needs and prepare for the future while maintaining brand identity.

“In this time period we are in the middle of an iconic change. Right now, this is not a technology that is the most suitable necessarily for today and tomorrow, but it will definitely be one of the major technologies of the future. That’s why you have to take care of it now, to make your company fit for the future,” Sattig said.

An American BWM tour guide showcases one of BMW's tiniest models.

An American BWM tour guide showcases one of BMW’s tiniest models.
(photo by Marina Weis)

BMW did extensive research before moving forward with the cars. The BMW i3 will be released this fall and the BMW i8 next year.  The price for the i3 will be under 40,000 euros  in Euope; BMW hasn’t finalize the price yet.

The BMW i was formerly known as the “Megacity Vehicle” and is best suited for urban markets. The car must be charged like any other battery-powered device but is also complemented with a small combustion engine. This combination makes for an extraordinary driving experience while also maintaining exceptionally low fuel consumption and emission levels, Sattig said.

Sattig said that the two most important benefits of driving a BMW i are its focuses on environmental and economic efficiency.

“The environment is important because we have to reduce resources and emissions of vehicles. Also, you can actually say right now that driving an electric vehicle is about half the price, just for energy costs, of driving a very efficient combustion engine. Those are the two major factors people think about when considering electro-mobility,” Sattig said.

New innovations aside, BMW will always be a company devoted to driver experience and the tradition of the brand as Stefan Mueller, a staff member of the International Corporate Communications department, can attest to.  For example, it is important to BMW that its cars can go from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds.

“BMW is a brand driven by emotion. Our cars are sold on the notion that driving is for sport and it’s fun,” Mueller said.

The appropriately shaped BMW building.

The appropriately shaped BMW building.
(photo by Carson Allwes)

BMW can trace its roots back to Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto, according to the company’s website. In 1916, the Flugmaschinenfabrik Gustav Otto company had merged into Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW) at government behest. Elsewhere, in 1917, the Rapp Motorenwerke company morphed into Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, which was duly converted into an AG (public limited company) in 1918. BMW became an automobile manufacturer in 1928; the first motorcycle was produced in 1945. It bought the Rover Group in the United Kingdom to expand its range of models, including the Land Rover, Rover, MG, Triumph and Mini. It acquired Rolls Royce in 1998

This idea holds true as visitors cross the street into the BMW Welt and Museum, where the tradition and history of this iconic brand is encapsulated in some exquisite architecture. Classic cars and new concepts are on display for visitors to ogle, including the Rolls Royce and Mini vehicles it produces. Shiny and pristine, the museum holds original airplane engines and motorcycles of the inception of the company as well as showcases the development of BMW through the years.

As the Point Park visitors made their way through the many displays, Mueller’s idea of “driving for sport” is grossly apparent. Each specimen of automotive prowess displayed at the BMW Welt and Museum clearly wants to be used for more than just driving to work. Emotionally invested employees clearly designed and created these cars with some grand scheme of experience in mind; not just for transportation but for the love of driving.

Filed Under: Media, Michelle Graessle · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Touring Berlin

June 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Reichstag

A view of the Reichstag
(photo by Michelle Graessle)

by Michelle Graessle

The barely full tour bus hit every bump in the unfamiliar road with little regard to its travel-worn passengers as it made its way toward the city. This particular bus was not immune to typical characteristics of other buses. The smell was stale and the air slightly stagnant. Seemingly unsuspectingly, this bus rolled along the highway in typical fashion; however, it was only a matter of time before this bus and its cargo would be enveloped by a foreign culture steeped in such a colorful history and taken completely by surprise.

The best way to describe a driving tour of Germany’s capital city Berlin is as a virtual reality history book. Instead of reading from a text, Liane Schulz, our tour guide is talking about what happened over a worn-out PA system. Instead of looking at pictures, the Point Park passengers are seeing it with their own eyes.

“And if you’ll look to your left, you’ll see the Brandenburg Gate,” she nonchalantly mentions.

The Brandenburg Gate is a cultural and historical icon. (photo by Alexa Blanchard)

The Brandenburg Gate is a cultural and historical icon.
(photo by Alexa Blanchard)

The Brandenburg Gate has had an interesting view on so many decades of history, its symbolism changing with the times. Originally upon its inception, it was a symbol of peace. Then in Nazi times, it was a symbol of the party. It had a front row seat to that long, terrible reign and then later the end of the Berlin Wall.

As the bus rolled on, the tour guide mentioned another interesting tidbit about Berlin. “We have 170 museums in Berlin. That’s more museums than days it’s raining here,” Schulz  said.

And how couldn’t there be? With so much history to explore, it comes as no surprise that Berlin is home to a multitude of museums. The tour guide pointed out a museum at Checkpoint Charlie, one of the former connecting points between East and West Berlin. There is the Topography of Terrors that chronicles many aspects of Germany under Nazi rule, which was very close to the group’s hotel in Berlin, and there are also many diverse art museums to visit, many on Museum.

Just as diverse, Schulz explains, are the types of people living in Berlin. Of the 3.5 million citizens, the top three groups of immigrants come from Turkey, Croatia and other parts of Eastern Europe. One hundred and eighty countries are represented in this 775-year-old melting pot of a city. Also included in the population of Berlin are students. Berlin is the setting for to four universities and around 260,000 students. Because of this, nightlife is a large part of Berlin’s culture, giving it a unique reputation to the rest of Germany.

Students explore the Holocaust Memorial. (photo by Connor Mulvaney)

Students explore the Holocaust Memorial.
(photo by Connor Mulvaney)

Berlin attracts 1.2 million visitors per year, the guide said. Also not a surprise as on a driving tour alone the students saw the Reichstag building, Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Center, the Victory column, also known by American soldiers in World War II as the “Chick on a Stick,” and so many other iconic tourist destinations and historically relevant locations. The Point Park students and faculty stretched their legs at the Holocaust Memorial, a striking outdoor sculpture and commemorative museum in the midst of their initial tour.

This dynamic and diverse city also offers other unique experiences to travelers in its distinctive gastronomy and cultural nuances. If a tour bus could talk, it would tell visitors that Berlin is a must see for anyone interested in Germany as a travel destination.

Filed Under: Culture, Michelle Graessle · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Fotogalerie im Blauen Haus

June 24, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

fotogalerieby Connor Mulvaney

“I think somebody said ‘if you want to make a statement, send a letter,’” said Nick Hermanns, curator of the Fotogalerie im Blauen Haus in Munich.

“Photography isn’t about having a message. This is just showing how somebody sees a special part of the world.”

Hermanns not only curates his own gallery but also is an avid professional photographer, author and a graphic designer. Seeing the trade of photography from both sides of the gallery windows has given him an interesting perspective on the field.

“I have a pretty simple philosophy about photography. It’s not so artistic and not so sophisticated,” said Hermanns. “[Making a photograph] is just showing how I see something. It’s just a picture.”

Hermanns , 63, who has lived in Munich for 45 years and has operated his gallery since 2010, describes his taste as traditional, which drives his choices in exhibitions in his gallery.  His current exhibit, “Landscape Impressions” is by Willi Morali, a photographer and architect from Velbert, Rheinland

“There is one thing which all my artists have in common.  They do pure photography, so they don’t manipulate [their photographs],” said Hermanns.

This technical foundation separates Fotogalerie im Blauen Haus from the field of German galleries and photographers, according to Hermanns. “I don’t think [this exhibit] fits in anything.  It’s really completely outstanding,” Hermanns said.  “It’s really far away from the German art scene.”

In an art community with many “extremely expensive” and popular photographers, Hermanns’ gallery stays true to his principles.

“This gallery has its focus on photography, not on art. It’s more [about] a kind of straight photography, which is easy to understand and nice to look at,” said Hermanns.  “Of course, sometimes the issues [represented in themes of other works] are wilder than this one, but still, it’s not a big art thing.  It’s just photography.”

willimoraliPhotos in Landscape Impressions by Morali were all exposed on film across several countrysides across Europe.  Each is carefully composed, often with vanishing points or displaying perspective in some form in a way that draws the viewer’s eye around the picture and easily allows him or her to digest the photograph.

“It’s pretty easy to understand. It’s not a sophisticated kind of artificial photography,” said Hermanns.  “You can just look at it, you see it’s a tree, it’s black and white, and I understand what is happening there.  It’s nothing with a big concept or intellectual whatever. It’s just photography.”

The photos were printed in a darkroom on silver gelatin paper and then toned with gold, selenium or palladium to give them a taste of color as well as to preserve them.

This may read like Greek to the modern photo enthusiast, but it is this traditional approach that Hermanns has a passion for.

“The guys who work like this are not so many.  Most [photographers today] shoot digitally…and this very traditional style starts to become rare,” said Hermanns.

However, the value of traditionally made photographs in a lightning-fast paced field is not necessarily worth its weight in whatever it’s toned in.

“I don’t think [working this way] is of value. It’s just another way to work,” said Hermanns.  “I think it’s a question of feeling.  [Silver gelatin] gives you the feeling that this is really craftsmanship, somebody did something with that and not [just] pushed a button.  Both can bring perfect results.”

Morali was able to produce such perfect results in Landscape Impressions, according to Hermanns.

“I think he’s a really extremely perfect printer,” he said.  “If you’ve seen the tones of the photography, there is still something in the black, the deep parts of the photo, and also in the very, very light ones.  This is perfectly done; it’s just really good craft.”

Filed Under: Connor Mulvaney, Culture · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

DPA’s classic news in a modern world

June 24, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

dpa_newsroom_politik3by Connor Mulvaney

Chief photographer of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur Michael Kappeler believes taking one good photograph is all you need to market news photos.

“Before in the print world, we tried [to get] one good photo which tells the whole story, but now that’s changing,” said Kappeler.

Today in the digital world, photographers are able to tell stories in countless photographs. However, this is not how DPA conducts its business.

“Print is still important,” said Kappeler.

A surprising statement from a modern newsperson, but in his opinion, it’s a justifiable one.

“It’s the moneymaker for us because we cannot earn money in the digital world,” said Kappeler.  “So we make money with the print clients and so we have to satisfy them.”

Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH, founded in 1949 in Germany and based in Hamburg, has grown to be a major worldwide operation serving print media, radio, television, online, mobile phones, and national news agencies. News is available in German, English, Spanish and Arabic. The English service is produced in Berlin, which is also the location of the central news office. The DPA has offices in 80 countries, 12 regional German bureaus along with 50 additional offices in Germany. Point Park students and faculty visited the Berlin office and also heard from Christian Rowenkamp, head of corporate communication, on DPA operations.

In particular, DPA aims to please clients with its “classic” news photographs.  That is, one photo that shows the action and emotion of a situation, and tells the story with one exposure of the camera sensor. Kapperler said the agency has 100 photographers in Germany alone to accomplish that compared to the eight the Associated Press has in all of Germany.

By using the word “client,” Kappeler is of course referring to media outlets.  Not the public.  This in opposition to its  American counterpart, AP, who caters to its  news partners but also permits some public access to its website, stories and photographs. .

“We are only providing news to business clients,” said Kappeler.  “They can use these pictures or information to bring to their clients because we have no way to earn money back [from non-business clients].  So they can [sell] news to their clients, so they can buy the news.”

The DPA’s international reach and commitment to its German clients make it vital to reporting German news.  Its client list proves it. Nearly 100 percent of German media outlets are partners of DPA, according to Kappeler.

“For…the Olympics, or the pope’s election… we send our own DPA photographers to countries where these things happen,” said Kappeler.  These photographers have two jobs – “They do general news, but they also follow the German interest.”

dpa_web_02A hard concept to understand for Americans, as the United States is often at the center of attention when it is involved in global affairs.  For smaller countries like Germany, an extra effort is required to report international news.

“If something happens, there is not always a German interest [reported by other outlets],” said Kappeler.  “The best example is the Olympics.  If a German sports team reaches fourth place, nobody will take a picture of them because [reporters] just follow the medal winners.”

One DPA German photograph of interest worldwide was the recent one that Kappeler himself took – of outgoing Pope Benedict’s hand with the papal ring about to be destroyed per Catholic Church regulations.  He said he took a chance on that photograph, but it was used in countless publications.

Thus, DPA’s commitment to its clients leads them to exactly what they need.

“It’s our task, then, just to follow the German interest because there is a huge media market in Germany, so we have a lot of clients and they want to know what the Germans are doing.”

Filed Under: Connor Mulvaney, Media · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pittsburgh, meet Munich

June 24, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
The Glockenspiel towers over Marienplatz. (photo by Carson Allwes)

The Glockenspiel towers over Marienplatz.
(photo by Carson Allwes)

by Carson Allwes

Point Park University’s International Media class arrived in Munich on Friday from the airport and straight into a tour of Germany’s third largest city.

Tour guide Arnoud Beck provided a bus tour from the airport to the hotel. Beck pointed out key points such as the Autobahn, the highway in Germany famous for not having a speed limit. The advisory speed limit is 130 kilometers or 81 miles per hour, and buses and trucks should travel at 80 kilometers per hour or around 60 miles per hour, according to the highway’s website.

Old and new buildings, including Munich’s soccer stadium, flashed by the bus windows as the bus took the group to its hotel. The hotel, Europäischer Hof, is in the center of Munich, near Marienplatz.  And it was very close to the main train station, which the group used a number of times for visits.

Henry the Lion founded Marienplatz in 1158. Today it is a shopping center. Downtown Marienplatz was filled with people browsing shops, eating in cafés, visiting street vendors and enjoying outdoor street music.

Vendors set up along the streets with their carts full of fruits, vegetables and white spargel, or asparagus, which was in season.  Their customers were dressed in everything from lederhosen to everyday apparel.

This Marienplatz street vendor sells fresh produce. (photo by Carson Allwes)

This Marienplatz street vendor sells fresh produce.
(photo by Carson Allwes)

Marienplatz has several key points that depict Munich. Beck showed the group a couple of churches, including Bürgersaalkirche and the Frauenkirche.

Bürgersaalkirche is between two buildings and almost blends into the scenery. The church has a museum for the Rev. Rupert Mayer SJ. He was a Jesuit priest who was a chaplain in World War I, losing a leg in a grenade attack. During World War II he preached against the Nazis and was placed in “protective custody” and later sent to a concentration camp by the Nazis. He returned to a hero’s welcome from Catholics and others after the war ended and died of a stroke in November 1945. Pope John Paul II beautified him in 1987, which is a path to sainthood. The museum also displayed many other different religious statues and relics.

The Frauenkirche is the tallest building in Munich. It was decided by the city that no building should be taller than the Frauenkirche’s two towers, which are around 100 meters tall.

Beck explained why the Frauenkirche survived the war.

“The high points of the church gave the army [a marker] to bomb the city,” he said.

This saved the Frauenkirche and many other tall buildings as they were used for the military during the second war.

Inside the Frauenkirhe, Beck told the story of how the church was built. According to legend, Jörg von Halsbach needed funding in order to build the church and asked the Devil for help. The Devil would help but only if Halsbach did not put windows in the church.

The devil's footprint sits on a tile inside the church. (photo by Carson Allwes)

The devil’s footprint sits on a tile inside the Frauenkirhe church.
(photo by Carson Allwes)

Halsbach tricked the Devil by using the architecture to give the appearance of a windowless church. Devil was not fooled.

“In [the Devil’s] anger at being fooled, he [stomped] his foot and left his footprint [in the floor],” Beck said, showing it to the students.

The Frauenkirche is also the home of the archbishop. This is the church where former Pope Benedict XVI practiced as bishop before moving on to the Vatican.

Another famous piece of architecture is the Glockenspiel.

The Glockenspiel is in the center of Marienplatz, an old gothic-themed building with gargoyles and flying buttresses. The clock is in the center tower. The clock tower has two open windows with pieces that move at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., attracting a crowd. The inner mechanics put on a show for the people in the square. The entire show lasts about 15 minutes.

Beck’s tour ended with permission to begin exploring and sampling Munich’s cafés and restaurants. The tour formed a foundation of important landmarks and history that better shaped the group’s understanding of the city over the rest of their trip.

Filed Under: Carson Allwes, Culture · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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