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MEMMINGEN
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and at weekends the city centre fills with life
and laughter. You may fancy an ice cream
from one of the many Italian parlours while
you wander through the town’s pedestrian
zone (Fussgängerzone). I like to stop at the
Theaterplatz and watch the world go by with
a chocolate and banana ice cream (topped
with whipped cream, of course).
On the balcony of the Valentino bar on
Kramerstraße, the pedestrian zone that winds
its way through the town centre from north
to south, you can hear the chatter of youth
from the street below and aromas from the
restaurants in the piazza. In September the
bars stock up with fresh wines from Germany
and Europe in time for the wine festival.
As you turn into the Schrannenplatz, you’ ll
find at Lindentorstraße 5 the Münchner Kindl
– a popular bar/pub for all ages, next door
to the historic Siebendächerhaus (‘Seven
Roofs House’). Grünes Haus, a restaurant
only a couple of houses down, offers delicious
food, sourced locally and mainly organic.
Downstairs you can dance into the early hours.
Memmingen has quite a good nightlife – most
bars and pubs shut between 1am and 4am or
even later – and there is something for all.
Along the Kramerstraße, there are specialist
shops, boutiques, department stores and
cafés from Marktplatz to Weinmarkt, from
Theaterplatz to Schrannenplatz. From the
pleasant Maximilianstraße, you can walk
towards the centrally located Weinmarkt.
The street is a popular hang-out and every
Saturday and Tuesday farmers set up their
stalls and fill the Marktplatz. The smell of fresh
produce is fantastic! Great olive stands and
TOP:
THE MEMMINGER
ACH RIVER
ABOVE:
THE
WESTERTOR GATE
“In September
the bars stock up
with fresh wines
from Germany
and Europe”
German sausages in a roll – my favourite is the
Nürnberger Rostbratwürste.
Dignified churches such as St. Martins-Kirche,
with one of the grandest gothic choir stalls in
Germany, or the Frauenkirche, with paintings by
the Strigel family dating from the 15th Century,
are a delight for any culture enthusiast. And the
recently restored Kreuzherrenkirche is a gem on
the Upper Swabian baroque route.
Memmingen has two museums, the Heritage
in Hermansbau and the Strigel & Antonier
Museum in the Antonierhaus. The Antonierhaus,
formerly a monks’ residence and hospital, is one
of the order ’s oldest existing buildings. Café
Kuntz in the Antonierhaus has – along with
Grand Café Rauh at Zangmeisterstraße 4 – the
best cakes in town, and has a great view onto
Martin-Luther-Platz. Head up the church tower
for fine views across town and beyond.
Walks in the many parks are a delight, or for
the more adventurous, strap on the skates. Ice
hockey is very popular here, with the local team
playing in the Bavarian league. Hiring a bicycle
is also a brilliant way of discovering the city and
exploring the villages and countryside, thanks
to excellent cycle paths. Although Memmingen
is a town where time has stood still, there’s
really no reason for you to do so.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2012
WIZZ MAGAZINE
67
GETTY