Viele Grüße aus der bayerischen Hauptstadt!

Greetings from Munich! We arrived on Tuesday from our various points of departure, took the S-Bahn in the city, checked into the CVJM Hotel where we are staying for the next few days, and went out for a scrumptious Bavarian meal together at the Augustiner. There is nothing like Schweinebraten in Munich…with some Apfelstrudel to finish it off, of course!

Yesterday we began our cultural journey at the former Benedictine monastery (now under the leadership of the Don Bosco Salesianer) in Benediktbeuern about 60 km southwest of Munich. Founded in the middle of the 8th century and dedicated by Bonifatius himself, the famous apostle to the Germans, it a testimony to role that Christianity has played in the initial formation of German cultural identity. Pater Neuner gave us a 90 minute tour of the monastery, both lecturing and kindly answering our questions. Wunderbar!

Today our focus was the High Middle Ages. After a two hour class session this morning we visited an exhibit at the Alter Hof in Munich, the earliest residence of the Wittelsbacher royal family in Bavaria. Tomorrow we discuss the cultural contours of the late Middle Ages and German Humanism followed by a visit to the Frauenkirche, Munich’s famous Wahrzeichen (cultural landmark).