In Munich, on Marienplatz, there is the famous Glockenspiel, the most beautiful carillon in Germany, which plays only on certain dates and times. In Munich there are also many similarities with the city of Naples.
Monaco at full speed? Yes and not only. Thinking of Munich, the first thing that comes to mind is Oktoberfest. So be it. But then?
Then my thoughts turn to Bavaria, a region of Germany of which Munich is the capital. So be it. But if I told you that in Munich I found some of the Naples of the Districts, would you believe me?
The Munich I experienced is a little bit Bavaria, a little bit no. It is a sort of bridge between modernity and tradition. The architecture of the city itself bears witness to this. Modern, very modern on the outskirts. Bavaria in the historic center. From the avant-garde Schlauchboot, the new Allianz Arena stadium where Bayern Munich trains, which owes its name to its particular shape of "rubber dinghy", you can see, in a few kilometers, the truest Bavaria you can find his heart in Neue Rathaus, defined by William II "The most beautiful town hall in the country". The Neue Rathaus, located in Marienplatz, on the main facade houses the Glockenspiel, the largest carillon in Germany.
Moving around Munich by subway, getting off at Marienplaz stop and re-emerging from the depths of the subway, you find yourself directly in front of the Chimes. At 11 am, 12 noon and in the months from March to October also at 17 pm, you can enjoy a free open-air show unique in the world. The carillon is arranged on two floors and operates according to a precise ceremonial. First the bells ring the time, then the characters on the upper floor start to stage the wedding of William V, then those on the lower floor with the dance of the coopers, ending with the crowing of the golden rooster, placed at the top of the music box, which moves its head and flaps its wings three times.
But few know that, less than a hundred meters from Marienplatz, there is St. Peter's Church, the oldest parish in Munich, inside which dominates the sumptuous high altar which is inspired by the one built by Bernini, in Rome, for St. Peter's Basilica. Climbing the bell tower of St. Peter you can enjoy a panoramic view of Munich and the Alps. The gem of this church, however, is located in the chapel of the left aisle, where there are the remains of a Santa Mundizia which, unknown to the general public, seems to be the protector of single women. It is from Santa Mundizia that the women of Munich go to ask her to intercede so that they can find a good husband.
A bit like what happens in the Church of San Raffaele in Materdei, in Naples, where it is customary to go and kiss the fish of San Raffaele to find a husband or to have children. Yes, but don't be mischievous. The custom has its roots in the sea, a symbol of fertility, and in the official ecclesiastical iconography that San Raffaele wants represented with a sort of basket in which a fish is contained. Hence the custom, a bit serious and a bit burlesque, of exposing the Saint on 24 October of each year, on the occasion of his feast, the day when young women go to kiss his fish and ask him for grace. .
Monaco as a bridge, then.
Bridge between tradition and modernity.
Bridge between Germany and Italy.
A city of Bavaria that looks at Rome with admiration and cultivates folkloric rituals very close to those of the oldest Naples in the neighborhoods, without neglecting to project itself into the future with its modern architectural works. This is the Monaco that I love.
