Nicanor Garcia stands in the Olympic Village in Munich.

Tips from Instagrammers: Nicanor García

Why does the Olympic Park impress you, Nicanor García?

Many influencers visit Munich every year and capture the city through an array of videos, articles and photos. In order to gain some real insight into their creative work and to find out what they love so much about Munich, we have put together a questionnaire. This time: Nicanor García, a professional photographer and architect from Spain.

This is your third time in Munich, what did you like the most this time?

This time I was able to visit new places and walk new routes around the city. This gave me the opportunity to connect points that I didn't know were so close to each other and clarify my inner map of Munich.

More than liking a specific building, I liked seeing how some old buildings from the 70s are still active and well preserved, for example at the Olympisches Dorf (Olympic Village) or the Pharao Haus. These buildings continue to have some values that still seem relevant to me today. For instance, between the buildings there is a sense of community and public space, but privacy is maintained. Relationships with nature are also valued by having large green areas around the buildings; the inhabitants are encouraged to keep and care for their own plants as well with large planters that define the facades of these buildings.

These large groups of homes demonstrate a relationship between the private, the public and the landscape that is perfectly achieved and balanced.

Three reasons why the Olympic Park Munich impresses you?

Although in the Olympiapark (Olympic Park) you can distinguish different buildings, areas or activities, everything is integrated in such a way that it has a sense of unity. The profiles of the hanging roofs integrate with the soft hills of the park landscape, creating a smooth and sinuous continuity between the landscape and the buildings.

It is amazing how well preserved the entire Olympic Park is. The buildings are kept in perfect condition, making it difficult to imagine that they were inaugurated 50 years ago. The park is also kept immaculate and clean, ready to welcome the visit of citizens and any type of collective activity or enjoyment.

Beyond its excellent preservation, the Olympic Park feels completely alive. The availability of sports facilities, the cultural activities on offer, the epic concerts that the stadium hosts, the installations that pop up… maintain the interest of the citizens of Munich, who use the park for sports, cycling, relaxing on the grass or meeting friends.

Are there corners and places in the Olympic Park where you feel the post-Olympic use is particularly noticeable?

On this trip I visited the park twice and got to see different activities that are the new life of the Olympic Park. One of the visits coincided with the start of a Guns & Roses concert at the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium), which allowed me to see how many fans enjoyed the moments before the concert.

Many people and families were enjoying walking or sitting on the grass. There were mobile food and drink stalls because the Festival of the Games, Sports and the Arts was also taking place. Around the Olympiasee (Olympic Lake) there were different sculptures/installations that generated sounds and music, turning the area into an improvised concert space. I then hiked up the hill to the Olympia Alm, the well-known beer garden on Olympiaberg (Olympic Mountain).

I walked to the Olympic Village, which is now just another neighborhood in Munich. The green spaces around these buildings are striking. Homes and the surroundings complement each other very well, creating a calm and pleasant atmosphere. I also had the opportunity to visit the Olympia-Schwimmhalle (Olympic Swimming Pool). Frei Otto's architecture seen from the inside looks very futuristic, but swimmers using the pool facilities give it a very casual and everyday character.

From my point of view, it is a great success to have managed to make all the facilities and spaces of the 1972 Olympics a natural part of the current city of Munich.

Is there a specific color that stands for Munich in your opinion?

Perhaps the yellow-orange color. Looking from an elevated vantage point, Theatinerkirche always stands out with its deep yellow hue. On other occasions, the clearly orange color becomes relevant in places such as the Werksviertel-Mitte or the Theresienwiese and Marienplatz metro stations.

In 1992, the Summer Games were held in your hometown Barcelona. Do you see parallels to Munich?

As in Munich, the Olympic Games were also a great boost for the city of Barcelona. New highways were built, the city was opened to the sea, and the Olympic Village helped create a new neighborhood, among other great achievements. The Olympic area, where the Olympic Stadium is located, is located in Montjuic and would be the equivalent of Olympic Park. Although some activities have been maintained, from my point of view, an integration with citizens as close as in Munich has not yet been achieved.

 

Archery, lifting weights, wrestling which unique sport would you most like to master at Olympic level?

Reaching an Olympic level of Marathon would be ideal for the times when I have to spend all day walking and taking photos. The photographic marathon, walking all day with photographic equipment while taking photos, should be eligible to be an Olympic sport!

What did you take from your visit?

I got a deeper impression of Munich – a more complete vision of the city where the old and the contemporary are naturally integrated. Where the weather changes throughout the day, and ultimately, this gives you different opportunities.

 

What would you like to experience on your next visit?

I would like to see the Kreativquartier, where living, working and the arts are supposedly mixing in innovative ways. Also and of course, I’d love to see new buildings and how they are being integrated into the city.

Which photo of Munich got the best response from your followers? And which photo do you personally like the most? Why?

I think the photos from the rooftop of the Olympic Stadium caught the attention of some followers. But surprisingly, people also noticed the series of photos of the Siemens headquarters, which is a simpler and more contained architecture.

Personally, more than liking a specific photo, the photos I took take me back to the moments of the captures. And I had several good times taking photos in different locations throughout this trip. One of those moments was walking through the Olympic Village and discovering its different spaces. The relationship between the buildings and the vegetation, the access to the homes, the public spaces… I photographed it a second time from the Olympic Park very early one day. It looked like it was going to rain, but in the end it didn't, and I was able to verify those relationships at another time of day and from different angles.

Obviously, walking on the rooftop of the Olympic Stadium and having views of the landscape and the roof itself was a moment in which I could enjoy photography. In the case of the Siemens headquarters, it is a very quiet space, but I also visited on a weekend, so I think I had the opportunity to transmit that calmness in the series of photos.

 

And last but not least: What do you think people from Munich mean when they say “Betthupferl”? Any ideas?

It sounds a bit like “better”... Maybe it means better luck next time?

 

In Bavarian, Betthupferl stands for small sweets that are eaten before going to bed.

3 questions on Nicanor García's work

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Nicanor García, and I’m a photographer, although I previously worked as an architect and professor of architectural design. I specialize in photography of architecture, spaces and culture, capturing the essence of what I see. This focus makes me travel all over the world, photographing different cities and places.

Instagram: Nicanor García

Where do you get inspiration for your work?

Curiosity and looking inspire me as a photographer. I need to understand the place I am photographing, especially from a visual point of view. This leads me to look at and photograph a site from different angles until I understand which frames explain it best.

What’s the biggest challenge in your job?

The main challenge of my work as a photographer is to understand and explain what I see through photography. When I achieve this goal, my photographs can facilitate other people’s understanding of a place, space or building. Somehow, through my work I try to be a filter that helps others see the world in a special way.

Thank you, Nicanor!

 

 

Photos: Nicanor García
Merchant with dried fruit on the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
Viktualienmarkt Tasting Tour

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Book now for 40 €!

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting historical facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Panoramic view of the Munich Christmas market at Marienplatz.
Christmas Market Tour

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

Book now for 28 €!

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.
Residenz Serenades

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Book now from 38 €

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Exterior view of the Munich Palace of Justice on Prielmayerstraße in Maxvorstadt.
Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for 20 €!

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich
New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 22 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.
Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich
Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.
Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".
Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Book now!

Street Art-Tour

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.
Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Book now from 58 €

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich
Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

Book now for 26 €!

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich
Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background
Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.