The Bavarian Heartland: A Cultural Journey Through Germany's Soul

The Bavarian heartland is a place of deep forests, beautiful meadows, winding roads, and jagged peaks. It is the largest district in Bavaria, with 4.3 million residents. The region is known for its festivities, hard work, and socialising. Upper Bavaria is full of festivities, with annual fests or events taking place in towns and cities every few weeks. The best time to visit is during August and September when the weather is most predictable and the beer gardens are in full swing.

Bavaria is a state in Germany, making up the southeast quarter of the country. It is Germany's biggest state, with an area of 70,548 square kilometres (27,200 square miles) and a population of about 12.5 million people. The state is divided into seven administrative regions: Lower Franconia, Upper Franconia, Middle Franconia, Upper Palatinate, Swabia, Lower Bavaria, and Upper Bavaria. Upper Bavaria is the southernmost district in Bavaria and includes the state capital, Munich.

The history of Bavaria stretches from its earliest settlement by Celtic peoples such as the Boii in the 1st century BC to its formation as a stem duchy in the 6th century through its inclusion in the Holy Roman Empire. It became an independent kingdom and finally a large state of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Kingdom of Bavaria

In 1803, Bavaria received the bishoprics of Würzburg, Bamberg, Augsburg, and Freisingen, part of the bishopric of Passau, the territories of twelve abbeys, and seventeen cities and villages. In 1805, the Peace of Pressburg allowed Maximilian to raise Bavaria to the status of a kingdom. Accordingly, Maximilian proclaimed himself king on 1 January 1806 as Maximilian I. The king still served as an elector until Bavaria seceded from the Holy Roman Empire on 1 August 1806, joining the Confederation of the Rhine.

In 1808, Bavaria was divided into 15 administrative government districts (Regierungsbezirke) called Kreise. They were created in the fashion of the French departements, quite even in size and population, and named after their main rivers.

In 1809, Bavaria was again engaged in war with Austria on the side of France. The Tyroleans rose up against the Bavarian authority and succeeded three times in defeating Bavarian and French troops trying to retake the country. Austria lost the war of the Fifth Coalition against France, and Bavaria ceded southern Tirol to Italy and some small districts to Württemberg by the Treaty of Schönbrunn in 1809.

In 1812, Bavaria was summoned to join the alliance against Napoleon, and in 1813, Bavaria left the Confederation of the Rhine and agreed to join the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon in exchange for a guarantee of her continued sovereign and independent status. On 14 October, Bavaria made a formal declaration of war against Napoleonic France.

In 1814, Bavaria ceded to Austria the northern Tyrol and Vorarlberg. During the Congress of Vienna, it was decided that she would add to these the greater part of Salzburg and the Innviertel and Hausruck. She received as compensation, besides Würzburg and Aschaffenburg, the Palatinate on the left bank of the Rhine and certain districts of Hesse-Darmstadt and of the former Abbacy of Fulda.

In 1817, Count Montgelas, who had pursued a strict policy of modernization, was dismissed, and Bavaria entered a new era of constitutional reform. On 26 May 1818, Bavaria's second constitution was proclaimed. The constitution established a bicameral Parliament (Landtag). The upper house (Kammer der Reichsräte) comprised the aristocracy and noblemen, while the lower house (Kammer der Abgeordneten) would include representatives of landowners, the three universities, clergy, the towns, and the peasants.

In 1825, Ludwig I ascended the throne of Bavaria. Under Ludwig, the arts flourished in Bavaria, and Ludwig personally ordered and financially assisted the creation of many neoclassical buildings and architecture across Bavaria. Ludwig also increased Bavaria's pace towards industrialization under his reign. In foreign affairs under Ludwig's rule, Bavaria supported the Greeks during the Greek War of Independence, with his second son, Otto, being elected King of Greece in 1832.

In 1837, the Ultramontanes, a Roman Catholic-supported clerical movement, came to power in the Bavarian parliament and began a campaign of reform to the constitution, which removed civil rights that had earlier been granted to Protestants and enforced censorship. This regime was short-lived due to the demand by the Ultramontanes of the naturalization of Ludwig I's Irish mistress, Lola Montez, which was resented by Ludwig.

During the Revolutions of 1848, Ludwig abdicated on 20 March 1848, in favor of his eldest son, Maximilian II. The revolutions also brought amendments to the constitution, including changes to the lower house of the Landtag with equal suffrage for every male who paid a direct tax.

In 1864, Maximilian II died, and his eighteen-year-old son, Ludwig II, became King of Bavaria as tensions between Austria and Prussia escalated steadily. Bavarian Minister-President Otto von Bismarck tried to keep Bavaria neutral, but Ludwig II refused Bismarck's offers and continued Bavaria's alliance with Austria. In 1866, the Austro-Prussian War began, and Bavaria and most of the south German states allied with Austria.

Prussia quickly defeated the Kingdom of Hanover, then won the Battle of Königgrätz against Austria. The Bavarian Army was defeated in Lower Franconia at the Battle of Kissingen. Austria was defeated, and the German Confederation was dissolved, ending Austria's influence over the lesser German states. Bavaria lost Gersfeld, Bad Orb, and Kaulsdorf to Prussia. From this time, Bavaria steadily progressed into Prussia's sphere of influence.

With Austria's defeat in the Austro-Prussian War, the northern German states quickly unified into the North German Confederation, with the Prussian king leading the state. Bavaria's previous inhibitions towards Prussia changed,

The Duchy of Bavaria

A new duchy was created from this area during the decline of the Carolingian Empire in the late ninth century. It became one of the stem duchies of the East Frankish realm, which evolved as the Kingdom of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. The medieval Bavarian stem duchy covered present-day Southeastern Germany and most parts of Austria along the Danube river, up to the Hungarian border. It included the Altbayern regions of the modern state of Bavaria, with the lands of the Nordgau march (the later Upper Palatinate), but without its Swabian and Franconian regions.

Over the centuries, several territories in the former stem duchy, such as the County of Tyrol and the Archbishopric of Salzburg, gained Imperial immediacy. From 1500, a number of these Imperial states were members of the Bavarian Circle of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1623, during the Thirty Years' War, the Bavarian dukes were raised to prince-electors. In 1806, the duchy was chaired by Napoleon and the dukes were raised to kings. The Duchy of Bavaria was ruled by the House of Wittelsbach from 1180 to 1918.

Bavarian Culture

Bavaria is known for its distinct language and dialects, with three German dialects commonly spoken: Austro-Bavarian in Old Bavaria, Swabian German in the Bavarian part of Swabia, and East Franconian German in Franconia. Bavarians are considered egalitarian and informal, and their sociability can be experienced at the annual Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, which welcomes around six million visitors every year.

Bavaria is also home to many traditional sports disciplines, such as Aperschnalzen, competitive whipcracking. Traditional costumes collectively known as Tracht are worn on special occasions and include Lederhosen for males and Dirndl for females. Centuries-old folk music is also performed, and the Maypole, or Maibaum, is a common feature in Bavarian villages.

The Catholic faith is deeply rooted in Bavaria, with about 46.9% of Bavarians adhering to Catholicism. The Alpine south, especially Lower Bavaria, is known for its large murals on houses, called Lüftlmalerel (air paintings), that often express the Catholic sentiments of the owners. Roadside shrines are also common, placed strategically on roads between villages or seemingly at random for passing travellers who wish to engage in prayer.

Monasteries and churches are an integral part of the scenery in Bavaria, with the famous Benedictine Ettal Abbey near Neuschwanstein being a popular tourist attraction. The Wieskirche, a rococo-style church completed in 1754, is another significant pilgrimage site and parish church in the region.

Bavaria's history dates back to its earliest settlement by Celtic tribes in the Iron Age, followed by the conquests of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. It became the Duchy of Bavaria in the 6th century AD and was later incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire. The Kingdom of Bavaria was established in 1806 and continued until 1918, when Bavaria became a republic after the German Revolution.

Bavaria is known for its stunning natural beauty, with majestic Alps, pine forests, and shimmering lakes. The region is also famous for its castles, including the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II in the 1870s.

Bavarian Geography

Bavaria, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is a state in the southeast of Germany. It is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the country's total land area. It is known for its distinct culture, largely due to its Catholic heritage and conservative traditions.

Bavaria is divided into seven administrative regions: Lower Franconia, Upper Franconia, Middle Franconia, Upper Palatinate, Swabia, Lower Bavaria, and Upper Bavaria. Upper Bavaria, the Bavarian heartland, is a place of deep forests, beautiful meadows, winding roads, and jagged peaks. It is also the southernmost district in Bavaria and includes the state capital, Munich.

The largest rivers that flow through the state are the Danube and the Main. The Danube cuts a jagged line across Bavaria from west to east. The Main flows further north. Both rivers are occasionally dubbed the "Weisswurst Equator" – the imaginary northern frontier of Bavarian culture.

Only a small part of the state's surface is Alpine, but it is nonetheless a glorious area. The Bavarian Alps include Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze at 2,962 meters. Popular mountain getaway areas include Obersdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Berchtesgaden.

The history of Bavaria stretches from its earliest settlement by Iron Age Celtic tribes to its formation as a stem duchy in the 6th century, through its inclusion in the Holy Roman Empire, to its status as an independent kingdom, and finally, as a large Bundesland (state) of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Bavarian History

The history of Bavaria dates back to its earliest settlement by the Celts and its formation as a stem duchy in the 6th century. By the 1st century BC, it was conquered and incorporated into the Roman Empire as the provinces of Raetia and Noricum.

Early Settlements and Roman Raetia

Numerous palaeolithic discoveries have been made in Bavaria, with the earliest inhabitants known from surviving written sources being the Celts, who participated in the widespread La Tène culture. The Roman Empire under Augustus made the Danube, which runs through Bavaria, its northern boundary. What is now southern Bavaria was in the northern half of the Roman province of Raetia, with the main Roman city being Augusta Vindelicorum, modern-day Augsburg. Regensburg and Passau were frontier positions.

Migrations and the Early Medieval Period

During the 5th century, the Romans in Noricum and Raetia came under increasing pressure from people north of the Danube, including Suebian groups. The name "Bavarian" (Latin Baiovarii) is thought to originate from the Celtic Boii, who lived in this region earlier. The first historical mention of the Bavarians was in a Frankish list of peoples, prepared in c. 520 AD.

The Stem Duchy of Bavaria

The Bavarians soon came under the dominion of the Franks, who put the region under the administration of a duke, possibly chosen from the local leading families. The first known duke was Garibald I, a member of the powerful Agilolfing family, beginning a series of Agilolfing dukes that lasted until 788 AD. For a century and a half, these dukes resisted the inroads of the Slavs on their eastern frontier, achieving complete independence from the feeble Frankish kings.

Charlemagne and the Carolingian Period

When Charlemagne became the virtual ruler of the Frankish realm, he brought the Bavarians into strict dependence and deposed two dukes for contumacy. Charlemagne's son and successor, Pepin the Short, maintained Frankish authority over Bavaria. The Bavarians offered no resistance to their incorporation into the Frankish dominions, which was mainly due to the unifying influence of the church.

The Duchy During the Carolingian Period

The history of Bavaria intertwines with that of the Carolingian empire for the next century. Bavaria was given to the king of the East Franks, Louis the German, in 817 AD and later passed to his eldest son, Carloman. After Carloman's death in 880 AD, it became part of the extensive territories of the emperor, Charles the Fat.

Duchy During the Ottonian and Salian Periods

In 920 AD, Bavaria was given to the German king, Henry the Fowler of the Ottonian dynasty. Henry recognized Arnulf as duke, confirming his right to appoint bishops, coin money, and issue laws. A similar conflict took place between Arnulf's son, Eberhard, and Henry's son, Otto I the Great, with Eberhard fleeing Bavaria in 938 AD. Otto granted the duchy to Eberhard's uncle, Bertold, and appointed a count palatine to watch the royal interests.

Geographic Fluctuations

During the years following the dissolution of the Carolingian empire, the borders of Bavaria changed continuously. For a lengthy period after 955 AD, the duchy expanded. However, during the later years of the rule of the Welfs, a contrary tendency operated, and the extent of Bavaria shrank.

Under the Wittelsbach Dynasty

A new era began in 1180 AD when Emperor Frederick I awarded the duchy to Otto, a member of the old Bavarian family of Wittelsbach. The Wittelsbach dynasty ruled Bavaria without interruption until 1918. When Otto of Wittelsbach gained Bavaria, the duchy's borders comprised the Böhmerwald, the Inn, the Alps, and the Lech.

Renaissance and Counter-Reformation

Despite a decree in 1506 establishing primogeniture, William IV was compelled to grant a share in the government in 1516 to his brother Louis X, an arrangement that lasted until Louis' death in 1545. William followed the traditional Wittelsbach policy of opposition to the Habsburgs until 1534 when he made a treaty with the king of Hungary and Bohemia, strengthening their link.

Electorate of Bavaria

The international position won by Maximilian I had dubious effects on Bavaria itself. His son, Ferdinand Maria, who succeeded him in 1651, tried to repair the wounds caused by the Thirty Years' War, encouraging agriculture and industries, and restoring numerous churches and monasteries. However, his good work was largely undone by his son, Maximilian II Emanuel, whose far-reaching ambition led him to war against the Ottoman Empire and, on the side of France, in the Spanish succession struggle.

Revolutionary and Napoleonic Periods

In 1792, French revolutionary armies overran the Palatinate, and in 1795, the French invaded Bavaria itself, advancing to Munich. Charles Theodore, the elector, fled to Saxony, leaving a regency that signed a convention with the French, granting an armistice in return for a heavy contribution. Bavaria was now in a precarious situation, caught between the French and the Austrians.

Constitution and Revolution

In 1814, Bavaria ceded to Austria the northern Tyrol and Vorarlberg. During the Congress of Vienna, it was decided that Bavaria would add to these territories the greater part of Salzburg. She received compensation, including Würzburg and Aschaffenburg, the Palatinate on the left bank of the Rhine, and certain districts of Hesse-Darmstadt and of the former Abbacy of Fulda. However, the collapse of France revived old fears and jealousies against Austria, and Bavaria only agreed to these cessions under the promise that her claim to the Baden succession would be supported.

Kingdom of Bavaria

The Kingdom of Bavaria was a German state that succeeded the former Electorate of Bavaria in 1806 and continued until 1918. With the unification of Germany into the German Empire in 1871, the kingdom became a federated state of the new empire and was second in size, power, and wealth only to the Kingdom of Prussia. The polity's foundation dates back to the ascension of Elector Maximilian IV Joseph of the House of Wittelsbach as King of Bavaria in 1806.

Bavaria During the Weimar Republic

Republican institutions replaced royal ones in Bavaria during the upheavals of November 1918. Provisional National Council Minister-President Kurt Eisner declared Bavaria a free state. Eisner was assassinated in February 1919, leading to a Communist revolt and the short-lived Bavarian Soviet Republic. After violent suppression, the Bamberg Constitution was enacted in 1919, creating the Free State of Bavaria within the Weimar Republic.

Bavaria During the Nazi Era

With the rise of the Nazis to power in 1933, the Bavarian parliament was dissolved without new elections. Bavaria was then broken up during the reorganization of the Reich, split into six regions: Schwaben, München-Oberbayern, Bayerische Ostmark, Franken, Main-Franken, and Westmark. Dachau, near Munich, was the site of the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany.

Bavaria During the Federal Republic of Germany

Following World War II, Bavaria was occupied by US forces, who reestablished the state in

Frequently asked questions