| Upper Bavaria | |
 | |
Location  | |
Coat of arms and flag   | |
| State | Germany |
|---|---|
| Region | Bavaria |
| Capital | Munich |
| Surface | 17,529 km² |
| Inhabitants | 4.633.323 (2016) |
| Institutional website | |
L'Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern) is a region of the Bavaria.
To know
It is a place of deep forests, beautiful meadows, winding roads and jagged peaks. Upper Bavaria is full of festivities, almost every week there is a festival or an annual event in some city. Don't expect to understand this part of Germany on a quick visit, you have to stay for a while to really understand the spirit.
Geographical notes
Upper Bavaria is the southernmost district of Bavaria and includes the capital Monk. With 4.3 million inhabitants, this is also the largest district in Bavaria. The largest cities are Monaco (1.3 million inhabitants), Ingolstadt (123,000 inhabitants) e Rosenheim (61,000 inhabitants).
It covers an area of approximately 17,000 km², with the mountain ranges of Kalkalpen, Ammergebirge, Wetterstein, Karwendel and the Chiemgau Alps along the southern border. To the north, the district joins the Danube River. 4.5% of Upper Bavaria is designated as protected, with 131 natural protection areas. The highest point is the summit of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugsptize (2,962 meters).
When to go
The best time to visit would be August and September, when the weather is more predictable and the biergarden are in full swing.
The region occasionally experiences a phenomenon called föhn, which has no direct translation into Italian and which means a warm downward wind (this wind is also famous in the north Italy with the same name). It occurs as a result of bad weather in Italy, when warm humid air from the south is pushed over the Alps and suddenly descends into the region. It mostly occurs during spring and autumn and results in lightning and thunder. Many people blame them for feeling sleepy and experiencing headaches in these weather conditions.
Spoken languages
| The differences of the Bavarian dialect |
|
People from this region of Germany often speak a dialect known as "Bavarian" or "Boarisch". Even if you have a good knowledge of standard German, the pronunciation can be very difficult to understand. The exception is Munich, where many people come from other parts of Germany and the world, and Standard German is widely spoken. 'Boarisch' has similarities to the Austrian dialect of German.
Culture and traditions
People in this region have a good balance of hard work, socializing, play, and just plain relaxation.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
Upper Bavaria: full screen map.- Munich (München) - The capital of Bavaria, famous throughout the world forOktoberfest
- Bad Reichenhall - A small spa town in the Bavarian Alps close to Salzburg
- Berchtesgaden - A picturesque and historic town in the Bavarian Alps near Salzburg, a ski resort
- Burghausen - Known mainly for the chemical company that is based there, but it also has a beautiful old town and a rather large castle
- Dachau - The site of a concentration camp and a beautiful old town to see
- Erding - Famous for its "Weissbier" brewery and the largest spa and sauna in Europe
- Freising - An old episcopal city home to Munich Airport
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Here you can see the highest mountain in Germany ("Zugspitze"). This ski resort south of Munich also hosted the Olympic Games
- Ingolstadt - A large city with Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture
- Ismaning - A village north-east of Munich
- Murnau - City of the Staffelsee
- Oberammergau - Famous for its painted houses and wood-carved sculptures
- Rosenheim - A small town in the south-east of Upper Bavaria, close to the Alps
- Starnberg - The richest city in Germany, located on a beautiful lake
Other destinations
- Bavarian Alps - The German part of the magnificent and rugged mountain range
- Andechs - A small village which is mainly known for Andechs Abbey, a monastery famous for its beer.
- Bad Kohlgrub - Small ski resort and spa
- Chieming
- Eichstätt - A small Baroque town along the Altmühl River
- Gilching - A city of about 20,000 inhabitants
- Kochel - A small village on the picturesque Kochelsee, a popular summer and winter destination.
- Mittenwald - Famous for its beautifully painted houses and violin shops
- Berchtesgaden National Park - Includes the deepest lake in the alps near Berchtesgaden.
- Prien am Chiemsee
- Schliersee - Another luxurious mountain lake resort in the Bavarian Alps
- Schongau - A village along the romantic road
- Spitzingsee - Lake of Bavaria
- Tegernsee - A luxurious resort on the mountain lake in the Bavarian Alps
How to get
By plane
- 1 Munich International Airport (IATA (Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß) (The airport is located north-east of Munich.). it is the second most important among the German ones. It has two terminals: the 2 is used by the Lufthansa and from associated companies. The older 1 is used by all other lines.
- 2 Memmingen airport (Allgäu Airport Memmingen - FMM), 4 km from the town of Memmingen. Airport for low cost flights.
How to get around
By car
To visit the mountains and lakes a car would be ideal.
On the train
Major cities are connected with the excellent German railway network.
By bus
A public bus network is available throughout the region, although visiting remote areas will be difficult.
By bike
Cycling is a popular activity and a good way to see the quiet side of life along the region's back roads.
What see
- 1 Linderhof Castle (Schloss Linderhof), Linderhof 12, 82488 Ettal (near the town of Oberammergau), ☎ 49 8822 92030. It is the smallest of the three castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one that the king himself was able to see completed.
2 Shrine of Wies (Wieskirche or Sankt in der Wies) (just ten minutes by bus from Füssen in the nearby Steingaden. Two bus rides every day; check at the Füssen train station or tourist office for departure times.). 
Mon-Sun 8: 00-17: 00. This pilgrimage church is one of the great Rococo masterpieces. Work of Dominikus Zimmermann and his brother Johann Baptist, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mon-Sun 8: 00-17: 00. This pilgrimage church is one of the great Rococo masterpieces. Work of Dominikus Zimmermann and his brother Johann Baptist, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Itineraries
The final stretch of the Romantic road passes through Upper Bavaria in the direction of Füssen.
What to do
During the winter, skiing at Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
At Marienplatz in central Munich, admire the Christmas decorations and shop at the Kristkindelmarkt, which runs from late November to Christmas Eve.
At the table
The largest Bavarian asparagus growing area (Spargel in German) is found around Schrobenhausen. In spring you can buy white asparagus directly from the farmers and local restaurants offer special asparagus dishes.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Upper Bavaria
Commons contains images or other files on Upper Bavaria
