The BMW Museum in Munich. Museums of Munich. BMW Museum in Munich, photo

The one who has ever visited Munich, probably only had a pleasant experience about this German city with its rich historical past and many sights. Indeed, this settlement is famous for its numerous architectural structures to the whole world, and the museums of Munich occupy a special place in the whole world, since it is here that the famous BMW Museum is located.

A bit of history

Before you tell us what the BMW Museum is in Germany, Remember how the BMW concern itself appeared. Such Bavarian motor factories as Bayerische MotorenWerke (or BMW) have long been world famous. They have been working since 1913. The plant started its activity with the production of aircraft engines. The founder of this firm was Carl Friedrich Rapp. He decided to place this production in the district of Munich, close to the German firm manufacturing aircraft, Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik. After the First World War ended in 1919, the Versailles Peace Treaty was signed, according to which the production of aircraft in Germany was banned. As a result, Otto closed his factory, and BMW was forced to switch to the production of train brakes, and later became the largest manufacturer of engines, cars, motorcycles and bicycles.

The first construction of the complex

The BMW complex includes the headquarters, the museum and the "World" of BMW. The first to open its doors was the BMW Museum in Munich. This happened in 1972. At the same time, the construction of the headquarters of the company was completed by the 1972 Olympics. The very residence of BMW is a structure designed in the form of a four-cylinder engine. The building has 22 floors. The project of these two buildings was designed by an architect from Austria. The building of the museum is built in the form of a kind of bowl, which is covered with a BMW emblem and represents the outside of the tank. The most complete picture can be seen, rising to the height of a bird's flight. The local residents have their own idea about the appearance of this structure, so they call it "a bowl for soup."

The World of BMW

In 2004, the company decided to close the building, which housed the BMW Museum in Munich, for reconstruction. In connection with the increase in production in the museum, it was already impossible to display all the exhibits. The room required expansion, that is, the acquisition or appearance of a new additional space. Nearby already there was a construction of a new showroom, which began a year ago on the project of the Vienna Bureau of Designers Coop Himmelb (l) au. For expansion, it was decided to use this building, which was opened in June 2008. According to the idea of the authors, the glass cones of the building symbolize the letter "W", which is the third in the acronym BMW. The four cylinders of the main office of the concern are the letter "B", and the cover of the museum is "M". Not only the BMW Museum is represented in the new building. In Munich, various concerts are held in this room, and residents and guests of the city come here just to have lunch or rest. The entrance to the building is free, as there is a car dealership here. Inside you can not only buy a car, but also ride an old or new BMW on a virtual race track. In addition, you can design a car on a huge projection screen.

Restoration workshop

Initially, when the museum was opened, 20 cars and 30 motorcycles were presented to the audience. As such, the workshop, which would support the technology in working order, was not. They were repaired by enthusiasts who worked in the basement of the building. In the centenary of the birth of the first car of Carl Bens, BMW took part in the classic rally. For the competition four cars were put up, but after the start they all died out as one. It was after this incident that a restoration workshop was created that serviced the BMW Museum in Munich. It is located at the factory of the company, and since then all cars presented in the museum are in working order. Now their number has increased significantly. They are so dense that sometimes you have to squeeze between them.

Exposition of Rolls-Royce

No museums in Munich are as popular as the BMW Museum. After the reconstruction in 2008, its area has increased to 5000 square meters. Replacement and updating of stands are made every 30 days, so the opportunity to see something new is always there. After climbing the escalator to the top of the museum, you will see the Rolls-Royce exposition. From it leads a spiral staircase, descending on which you can clearly view all the presented models. The real treasure of this section is Rolls-Royce Phantom. He was the first car from the Rolls-Royces, which belonged to the royal family. After the turnstiles there is an installation consisting of hundreds of metal balls that constantly move, creating the outlines of a BMW car.

From history to the present

In the next room you can see the BMW IV aircraft engine, which was produced in 1918. The next exhibit that deserves attention is the R32 motorcycle. It was very popular, despite the fact that its cost was much higher than the price of similar vehicles of other manufacturers. The attention of buyers was attracted by the innovative transverse positioning of the engine. In addition, the motorcycle had a two-cylinder engine for 0.5 liters. He allowed to develop a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Next to it is a chic red car BMW 3/15 PS, released in 1929, which is the first production model of the company.

Mototechnics

The BMW Museum in Munich, the photo is presented below, has a number of other expositions. In the first ten years of the post-war period, the financial condition of Europeans was not very good, and the purchasing power, especially for cars, was very low. During this period, the company's management decided to return to the production of motor transport. In the halls of the museum are presented almost all models ever produced. In 1955, BMW returned to the production of cars. This year the country saw "Izetta". This unusual model of the company had a motorcycle motor. The next room features a motorcycle with an aluminum frame, which significantly reduces its overall weight compared to the weight of previous models. The body of this motorcycle (BMW M6) is made using plastic, light steel and carbon. In order for each visitor to be convinced of their weight, each exhibit of this hall is on separate scales. A little farther you can see the BMW 328 Touring Cope in 1939, and in the next hall a collection of produced engines for airplanes, boats, racing and conventional cars is collected.

But this exposition does not end there. Guests will be able to see the line of the BMW 3 Series, where all generations of this model are placed in chronological order. It is impossible not to mention the collection of posters for BMW, for which a separate room is allocated.

Dream of every collector of cars

One of the most beautiful models of the company is the BMW 700 LS (1964). The car is installed near the wall of the posters. Under the hood of the car there is a 2-cylinder motor for 0.7 liters, the power of which is 40 horsepower. The maximum speed of this model is 135 kilometers per hour. No less attractive model is the BMW 3.0 CSi, for which many collectors compete. For the BMW 327/28 there is a separate room, which resembles an aerodynamic pipe. For those who already wanted to visit the BMW Museum in Munich, the address will be left a little lower, but for now it is necessary to pay attention to a couple of exhibition spaces.

Racing cars

The two following stands will attract the attention of speed lovers. On the first placed the best racing cars, and on the second - well-known BMW M. The greatest attention is attracted to the BMW M1 (1978). They were released only 400 copies, so it's impossible to meet such a model live. In the corner, behind the race cars, the BMW X Coupe is installed, and next to it is the GINA Light Visionary Model, the body of which is made of fabric.

Another hall was occupied by roadsters. It is here that you can see the most expensive brand of BMW 507. The company produced only 271 copies of this model. Next, a rather unusual roadster Z1 is installed, the doors of which open not like in all cars, but fall down. And the most successful roadster company, which has won popularity among women, is the BMW Z3. Now, having familiarized in advance with the exposition of the museum, for sure, many will want to know where the BMW Museum is located.

How to get to the BMW Museum

Those who decided to visit Munich (the BMW Museum), how to get to it, maybe and do not know, but with our tips to do it can be quite easy. The most accessible way is to take the metro. You need to get to the station Olympia-Eisstadion, at the exit from which you can see the building "World of BMW." Before the museum you need to go by tram on the route number 20 or number 21. The stop is located on the side of the Olympic Park, therefore, to get to the museum, you need to walk a short distance from the stop. Taxi - this is the fastest way, with which you can get to the BMW Museum in Munich.

The address where the museum is located: 80809, Munich, ul.Olimpiskiy Park, 2.