Munich may be well-known for its sparkling, aromatic Christmas markets. But beyond the foaming steins of beer and the wafting aroma of glühwein, it’s also a city that has experienced both greatness and turbulence over more than eight centuries, growing from ecclesiastical beginnings to become today’s fascinating city rich in gothic and baroque architecture. In this first of our two festive bonus episodes, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by official tour guide Christine Lehner to explore Bavaria’s historic powerhouse. Along the way, they’ll meet some of the colourful characters who shaped the city and visit the most captivating historic sites – including those tempting markets. Plus, they’ll sample some of Munich’s cultural delights, sharing top insider travel tips.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and HistoryExtra. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. There you can find other feeds including the HistoryExtra Podcast, History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories and HistoryExtra Long Reads. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

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This episode was hosted by Paul Bloomfield and produced by Jack Bateman.

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