Luitpoldpark

Luitpoldpark is a public park in the Schwabing-West borough of Munich, Germany.[1]

Luitpold Park
The Luitpoldhügel
TypeUrban park
LocationMunich, Bavaria, Germany
Coordinates48°10′17″N 11°34′12″E
Area33 hectares (82 acres)
Created1911 (1911)
Operated byBayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen
StatusOpen year round

History

The park was built as Munich was expanding north from Maxvorstadt in the early 20th century, in order to preserve green space in the growing city.[2] It was named in honor of the Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold in 1911 to commemorate the prince's 90th birthday.[3] It is 33 hectares (82 acres) in size.[2] The park is accessible from the Scheidplatz underground station.[1] On a clear day, it is possible to see the Alps from the park.[3]

Features
Pumuckl fountain

A distinctive feature of the park is the Luitpoldhügel, a 37-metre-tall (121 ft) hill consisting of rubble piled up from World War II bombing attacks on the city.[1] In 1949, following the war, a plain cross was erected on top of the hill, with an inscription reading, "Pray for and remember all of those who died under the mountains of rubble". In 1952, this became a permanent memorial.[4]

The Bamberger Haus (Bamberg House) sits at the western end of the park. It opened in 1911 as a cafe and was named after its design, which was modelled on a house in Bamberg. The site was bombed during World War II and rebuilt in the 1980s. There is a hedge maze adjacent to the house.[2]

The Pumuckl fountain in the park is named after the eponymous character created by Ellis Kaut. The figure intermittently spits out water, which may unexpectedly soak park guests.[2]

The park is also known for its old trees, and is lined with ginkgo and pyramidal oak trees, among others. At the park's opening, the central feature was a 17-metre-tall (56 ft) obelisk constructed from limestone from the nearby district of Lower Franconia, surrounded by 90 lime trees, one for each year of Luitpold's life, and 25 oak trees.[5]

Events

The park remains popular and has hosted numerous festivals and events.[6] In the winter, the steep hills in the park are popular for sledding.[2]

References
  1. "Luitpoldpark, Munich". Garden Visit. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  2. "Der Geheime Park". Süddestche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  3. Top 10 Munich. DK travel. 2017. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-241-34399-9.
  4. Rosenfeld, Gavriel. Munich and Memory: Architecture, Monuments, and the Legacy of the Third Reich. University of California Press, 2000. pp. 133–134. ISBN 978-0-520-92302-7.
  5. Meyer, Julia. "Luitpoldpark in Muenchen" (in German). Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  6. "Einfach drauflosfabulieren". Süddestche Zeitung (in German). 7 June 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
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