Carolin Engelhardt, the founder and creative director of "Münchner Dirndl" Manufaktur.

Questionnaire: Carolin Engelhardt

What does Munich sound like, Carolin Engelhardt?

A city's character is shaped by its residents – and Munich is home to some truly exceptional individuals. We have enlisted a few remarkable talents as Munich ambassadors and would like to introduce them through this questionnaire. This time featuring: Carolin Engelhardt, Founder and Creative Director “Münchner Dirndl“-manufactory.

Born a Munich resident or became a Munich resident?

I became a Munich resident and I'm very proud of it.

The taste of Munich:

It tastes like pretzels with butter – but it's important to get a good pretzel with that special crunch.

The sound of Munich (noise, song, Bavarian-dialect word):

It sounds like the Isar river.

The smell of Munich:

Like hops – what is more typical of Munich than beer?

Munich is the only city where you can ...

... reach everything by bicycle and have everything right on your doorstep.

My favourite word in Bavarian dialect:

Schatzi! (darling!)

The city's most beautiful building:

The Glyptothek (art gallery), because of its beautiful architecture – by the way, that's also where we had our first photo shoot for Münchner Dirndl.

As an ambassador, I would like to dispel this prejudice about Munich:

The idea that the Munich people are arrogant. When you sit down at a table with Munich locals, you might think that at first – until they open up.

The catchiest Munich song:

Any song by the Spider Murphy Gang.

Isar river or the Eisbach (man-made river)?

Eisbach, because you can float leisurely all the way to Tivoli Bridge.

Beer garden or bar?

Beer garden, because everyone sits together at one table, just like at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest fairground).

Philharmonic or brass band?

Philharmonic, because Munich also has a vast offer in terms of culture.

Lederhosen/Dirndl (traditional Bavarian clothes): yes or no?

You always look best in a dirndl!

To the mountains or the lakes at the weekend?

To Schliersee (lake) and the Brodenschneidhaus for Kaiserschmarrn (light, caramalised pancake).

When I'm away from Munich, I often boast about this fact of the city:

The Olympiapark, the Englischer Garten (park) for a walk or of the fact that you can drift down the Eisbach and then take the tram back.

What is the top location in Munich to impress visitors?

The Olympiadach (Olympic roof) and Olympiapark (Olympic Park) and then to Weinhaus Neuner for dinner.

The best sundowner spot?

Königsplatz (square) or the Monopteros.

The best place for a romantic date?

Hofgarten (court garden). It's so nice to watch the dancers on Fridays or enjoy a little concert by the musicians. And all that in the heart of the city!

The most beautiful walk?

In the park of Nymphenburger Schloss (palace), early in the morning in the Englischer Garten or along the Isar river towards the Tierpark Hellabrunn (zoo).

When I seek tranquillity, my sanctuary is ...

... the Englischer Garten early in the morning, when it is still a bit foggy, or the Monopteros for meditation.

 

 

Photos: Frank Stolle
Panoramic view of the inner city of Munich at sunset with the Müllersches Volksbad in front and the towers of the Alter Peter, Heilig-Geist-Kirche and Frauenkirche in the background.

Local Love: Altstadt

The city centre

There are few other cities which are as focused around their centres as Munich – but unlike other city centres, Munich’s Altstadt is a place that’s actually full of life being lived.

There are few other cities which are as focused around their centres as Munich – but unlike other city centres, Munich’s Altstadt is a place that’s actually full of life being lived.

View on St. Paul cathedral from Landwehrstraße in Munich

Local Love: Bahnhofsviertel

Colourful and loud

Munich’s Bahnhofsviertel encompasses multicultural communities, exciting restaurants, young artists and galleries.

Munich’s Bahnhofsviertel encompasses multicultural communities, exciting restaurants, young artists and galleries – it feels totally different from the rest of the city. In a good way.

A young woman stands in an empty, light-flooded entrance hall of a museum in Munich.

Local Love: Maxvorstadt-Kunstareal

The power of culture

The museum area is notable for its unique concentration of top-class museums and art spaces. It is a celebration of the power of culture.

The museum area is notable for its unique concentration of top-class museums and art spaces – right at the heart of one of the city’s liveliest districts.

A disused underground car full of graffiti stands in the Schlachthof district

Local Love: Schlachthof

The charm of the casual

What makes Munich’s Schlachthofviertel so unique? A lively underground cultural scene and actually still a slaughterhouse.. Could it possibly have any more urban cool?!

What makes Munich’s Schlachthofviertel so unique? A lively underground cultural scene and actually still a slaughterhouse.. Could it possibly have any more urban cool?!

The Hans-Mielich-Strasse in the district Untergiesing in Munich

Local Love: Giesing

Everything stays different

Giesing was formerly a working-class district, and it retains a raw charm to this day.

Giesing was formerly a working-class district, and it retains a raw charm to this day – while at the same time offering proof that a certain amount of gentrification enrich.

A parked car at Sedanstrasse in Munich.

Local Love: Haidhausen - French Quarter

Live and let live

The so called French Quarter as a part of Haidhausen is Munich’s most liberal district. It is a place where people appreciate quality without feeling the need to show off about it.

The so called French Quarter as a part of Haidhausen is Munich’s most liberal district. It is a place where people appreciate quality without feeling the need to show off about it.

Facade of a building in the district Schwabing in Munich.

Local Love: Schwabing

Living nostalgia

Schwabing is the district that is associated with Munich all over the world, reminiscent of golden times and evoking a good feeling.

Schwabing is the district that is associated with Munich all over the world, reminiscent of golden times and evoking a good feeling.

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