Bavaria: the famous state in the south of Germany

Bavaria (or “Bayern” to give it its German name) is the largest of Germany’s federal states, at least in terms of area. It is located in the south of Germany and calls itself the “Free State of Bavaria” for historical reasons. The name “Free State” has no legal meaning, and Bavaria’s rights and obligations are no different from those of any other federal state. Bavaria covers a larger area than some European countries, such as the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. The state capital is Munich.

What makes Bavaria so famous?

Bavaria’s name is known around the world for …

• its culture and traditions: The Octoberfest in Munich is the world’s largest public festival and symbolises Bavaria’s joie de vivre. Traditional Bavarian costumes such as the Dirndl and Lederhosen are also recognised all over the world.
   
• being an economic powerhouse: For most of its history, Bavaria was an agricultural region, but in the 1960s it started to transform itself into a hub of industry and technology. Nowadays, the state of Bavaria has a strong economy where many global brands base their headquarters, such as BMW, Audi, Adidas, Siemens, MAN and Schaeffler.
   
• its beautiful landscape: From the Alps (including the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain) to lakes such as the Chiemsee. Starnberger See and the Königsee, and idyllic villages, Bavaria is a paradise for lovers of nature. The state is home to hundreds of nature reserves and two national parks.

• the hearty food: From Weißwurst (veal sausages) and Leberkäse (a kind of meat loaf) to Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) and Brezn (pretzels) and even Obazda (soft cheese spread), Bavarian cuisine is as hearty and meaty as it is popular. Bavarian cuisine has also given rise to the famous tradition of a “Brotzeit”, namely a cold snack with bread and a generous portion of cold meats. On top of this, there are Bavaria’s many different beers, including wheat beers and lagers, known as “Helles”.

What makes Bavaria different from the rest of Germany?

Many Bavarians care about preserving their culture. This includes …

• the Bavarian dialect: Bavarian is markedly different from Standard (or “High”) German, and many people in Bavaria lovingly care for it, including in music and literature. Interestingly, many around the world consider Bavarian as the purest form of anyGerman dialect but Bavaria is home to many different dialects, including Upper, Lower and Middle Franconian, and Upper and Middle Bavarian. What they all have in common is that, in their purest form, they are almost incomprehensible to outsiders.
   
• rich and varied traditions: Even today, conservative customs continue to shape Bavaria. They even have a saying for it, namely, “Mia san mia!”, which means “We are who we are”, and is also the motto of Germany’s most successful football team: FC Bayern Munich.

Where does the name “Bavaria” come from? 

“Bavaria” is the English name for Bayern. It was taken from Latin during the Middle Ages. 

What things are characteristically Bavarian? 

Bavaria is famous for many things, such as

• FC Bayern Munich: One of the world’s most successful clubs, Bayern Munich is known for winning the German league and its army of fans.
   
• Bavarian beer: famous breweries such as Paulaner, Spaten and Erdinger define beer culture in Bavaria.
   
• Bavarian architecture: castles such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neuschwanstein and architecture which has survived from the Middle Ages in towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Bamberg, which escaped serious destruction in the Second World War.
   
• major Bavarian cities: along with Munich, cities such as Nuremburg, Augsburg, Regensburg and Würzburg are key cities in the state.

• Education and research: Bavaria is home to prestigious universities and research institutions that drive innovation and new technologies.