Hohenzollernstrasse leads off Leopoldstrasse – together, they form what is known as the “Schwabing T”. Over the decades, a number of artists have lived along these two kilometres.
Wassily Kandinsky founded his “Phalanx” painting school at no. 6a, and Joachim Ringelnatz lived at no. 31a/I for ten years with his wife, whom he called Muschelkalk (“Coquina”, a type of limestone). Today, the greatest art the area has to offer consists of browsing every one of the street’s shoe shops, international labels, concept stores, boutiques and cafés in a single day.
The eternal love between Munich and Italy has found itself a little nook here, spreading joy in the form of fresh Italian meals daily. The lasagne is especially quick to sell out – the early bird catches the pasta!
The first denim jeans were worn by miners, cowboys and gold diggers – 150 years later, the ubiquitous classic trousers are piled high in all manner of sizes, washes and styles, at Alexander Bertrand’s store. His father founded the clothing shop in 1931; the original cash register still stands on the counter.
Becoming one of the largest costume and formal dress suppliers in Europe is no mean feat – the Breuer family has been building up its stock for almost 70 years and can now pick out the perfect garment for every occasion: Tailcoats, tuxedos, morning suits, bridal dresses and ball gowns for formal occasions. Costumes for Fasching (Carnival), Mardi Gras and themed parties. Scary ant masks? Vienna sausages on legs? 160 Hussar uniforms? You'll find it all here!
This is a good place to start the day. With a delicious breakfast and selected coffees, it's easy to get through the tasks, appointments and meetings ahead. The Petit Fritz offers excellent French cuisine from morning to night. When the weather is nice, the tables in front of the restaurant are a great place to relax and watch the hustle and bustle.
To reach Kunst Oase, visitors must pass through a side passage lined with gilt-framed mirrors, and down a steep staircase. Formerly a beer cellar, the venue is now a glorious 300-square-metre jumble of chandeliers, lamps, antique furniture, carpets, pictures, porcelain ... If you're feeling brave, you might challenge the manager of this oasis, artist Manfred Wambsganss, to a table football match.
The Bodeguita store in Schwabing offers a wide variety of tapas. Bodeguita, which translates as small wine cellar, small wine shop, naturally also offers selected Spanish wines in addition to tapas. In addition to the selected wines, numerous cocktails and long drinks are also on offer.
Once you've completed the Schwabing shopping odyssey, a monumental refreshment experience awaits, dating from the age of fascism and the body cult. The Neoclassical Nordbad built in 1941 wows visitors with a steam bath, waterfall, sauna with colourful lighting effects, 34-degree outdoor pool and swimming hall grandstand that can accommodate 1,400 spectators.
