Questionnaire: Gudrun Spielvogel

What is unique about Munich, Mrs. Spielvogel?

Munich is shaped by extraordinary women. In our questionnaire we would like to introduce a few of them. This time: Gudrun Spielvogel, gallerist and Board Member of the Initiative of Galleries in Munich.

Were you born in Munich or did you move here?
I came to Munich very early on and have become integrated over forty years.

In which district are you at home?
I am based in central Munich because I have had my gallery in the centre and I enjoy moving around there a lot. I lived for a long time in the Glockenbach district and later in Untersendling.

What does Munich taste like?
Like a buttered pretzel.

What does Munich sound like?
Like Musica Viva. That is a series of concerts for Neue Musik (music composed in the 20th century), organised by the Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting). This combination of old and new is a piece of Munich for me.

What does Munich smell like?
I instantly think of the aroma of Spatenbräu, which sometimes wafts through the city. The smell of the breweries which are increasingly being moved outside the city.

Munich is the only city where ...
... have the level of a cultural metropolis, but can get to know one another and can move around like in a small town. I mean socially, just as much as with regard to transport.

Which Munich lady should everyone know?
Christiane Lange. She was born in Munich. She was the curator of the Hypo Foundation for Culture, then its director and has now, unfortunately, been exported to Stuttgart, where she is Director of the State Gallery.

Your favourite Bavarian word?
Fei scho.

The most attractive building in the city?
The Maximilianeum, which sits enthroned above the Isar. The building corresponds to Munich and its traditions and stands slightly apart.

Isar or Eisbach?
The Isar. It is larger, comes from far away and goes a long way. And it has changed in recent years to its advantage.

Beer garden or bar?
They each have their time.

Philharmonic orchestra or brass band music?
Both have their own quality.

A weekend in the mountains or by the lake?
I am a water lover, and you can have a wonderful view of the mountains from the lakes. You can get one of the best views from Lake Wörthsee.

The best place in Munich to impress visitors?
The Alte Pinakothek and the Pinakothek district.

What is the best place in Munich for an after-work beer?
The balcony or the garden of a friend’s house – where Munich is far away, and yet nearby.

The best place in Munich for a romantic date?
Well, the Court Garden, of course!

The best place in Munich to think?
The Englischer Garten (English Garden).

The best place in Munich for music lovers?
The Hercules Hall and the Opera Theatre.

The best place in Munich to experience culture?
Out of pure egoism: the galleries. There is a wide variety of galleries, where you can make wonderful discoveries.

The best place in Munich if you are longing for Italy?
Going up and down Maximilianstrasse. People still stroll along here – to see and be seen. But there is also the square in front of the Opera Theatre and the many eateries which have tables outside – there is something of Munich and also something of Italy about this.

 

Gudrun Spielvogel: A life for art

Without Women Nothing Works

A tour not only for women! Learn more about the famous and less famous women of Munich during a walking tour. Read more

 

Photos: Frank Stolle
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Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. Here we present a few examples that are particularly worth listening to.

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A sneak preview of Munich's 2024 gallery exhibitions

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Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

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Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Royal Munich

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The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

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Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Hiking guide

Royal wanderlust

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Endless Staircase in Munich.

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Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

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 only 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 20 €

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 only 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...

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.

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.

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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.