Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Seat of Power

From one form of power to the next…this image captures two of the driving forces of Bavaria – Parliament and the Isar River that runs through downtown Munich. Both define everyday life in Munich. The Maximilianeum, was originally built as a home for gifted students back in 1874, but since 1949 has been the seat of Bavarian parliament. Apparently it houses a unique combination in Germany with both the parliament and senate in the same building. King Maximilian started the building project at the end of the street in his name, one of the “royal avenues” of Munich. The building gives an impression of great distance from the city, due to its site on a rise on the far bank of the river Isar, yet it stands only a five minute walk from the Altstadt or old city. Surrounded by the parkland along the Isar, it makes for a great escape from the city. Thank you guest photographer.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The Bavarian senate was abolished by a referendum in 1999. The Maximilianeum belongs to the Scholarship Foundation which still exists and uses part of the building. The Bayerischer Landtag is only a tenant.
See http://www.bayern.landtag.de/pdf_internet/BL_Englisch.pdf

Unknown said...

Yes - the building indicates distance - it'S the same distance of the politicians from the reality and what is going on!!!Nothing has changed - only the crowns on the heads cannot be seen any more...

Anonymous said...

Hello. I've been looking for Munich blogs for a while. Glad I finally found yours. We just arrived here one week ago. I'm trying to do something similar at olliinmuich.blogspot.com