Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a large steel arch bridge connecting the city center with the residential areas in the north. Thanks to its sheer size and beautiful location the bridge has become one of Australia's most famous landmarks.

Conception
Plans for a bridge were already made in the 19th century and in 1900 tenders were invited. None of the 24 submitted proposals were deemed satisfactory and the plans were shelved until 1922 when the New South Wales Department of Public Works, supervised by the chief engineer John J.J. Bradfield, prepared a general design for the new bridge. This time, a worldwide tender produced a winning design by Dorman and Long, an English firm.

Construction
The design consisted of an enormous single-span bridge with four pylons. Construction of the bridge started in 1924 and by the end of 1929 construction of the arch had begun. First, the 503 meter long span was built from each shore. Long cables anchored underground held the two structures back. After the two parts joined in October 1930 the deck was built from the center out. In 1932, after 1400 men had worked on the bridge for 8 years, the bridge was finally opened.

Cost
The total cost of the bridge was $A13.5 million. The loan was finally paid off by toll fees in 1988. The toll fee is still levied, it now finances the maintenance of the harbour bridge and the construction of the harbour tunnel, built in 1992.There was also a large social cost: the Bradfield Highway leading towards the bridge cuts 'The Rocks' - Sydney's historic district - in two. Hundreds of buildings in the bridge's path were demolished. The families unfortunate enough to live there were displaced without any com- pensation, unimaginable today.

Pylon Lookout
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is not only one of the city's most photographed landmarks, it is also offers some of the best views of the city, the harbour and especially the Sydney Opera House. From the bridge's pedestrian walkway - accessible via the stairs from Cumberland Street - you have a great view towards the east (and the Opera House). The Pylon Lookout - accessible via the walkway - has an even better vantage point. From a platform close to the top of the 68 meter (223ft) high pylon you have a beautiful 360 degree view over Sydney. There's also an exhibition about the construction of the bridge inside the pylon.

BridgeClimb
The most spectacular way to visit the bridge is the popular BridgeClimb, a three and a half hour tour with a two hour walk to the top of the arch, 134 meter above sea level. Safety precautions and instructions include a 'Climb Simulator' and a blood alcohol reading. If you do have alcohol in your blood, you will not be able to participate and you will not get another chance so make sure you get there sober. There are day, twilight and even night climbs. You will not be able to take a camera with you during the climb, but the guide always takes a group photo, so you will have some souvenir.

Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a magnificent building, rightfully considered one of the wonders of the modern world. Located at a prominent location on a peninsula near Sydney's harbour, it is reminiscent of a ship in full sail leaving harbour.

The audacious design by Jørn Utzon with enormous shell-like roofs was well ahead of its time. The building became an instant iconic landmark when it was completed in 1973 and has come to represent the whole country.

Conception
The idea for the construction of an opera house arose after the Second World War, when Australians realized that the country lacked a world-class opera house. In 1954 the government of New South Wales decided a new opera house was to be built at Bennelong Point, a spectacular location at the end of the Royal Botanic Gardens. An international competition was announced, inviting architects to submit designs for a complex including two main halls, a restaurant and public meeting rooms.In December 1956 a total of 234 architects from nine different countries had submitted designs. It is thanks to the Finnish-born architect Eero Saarinen that Jørn Utzon's entry was chosen over more conventional designs. The visionary design by the Danish architect had already been dismissed by the assessment committee as 'too ambitious' but Saarinen, arriving late, convinced the committee to award Jørn Utzon first prize.

Construction
The construction was estimated to take about five years at a cost of A$7 million. Utzon, aware of possible technical problems since his design required advanced technology not yet available, requested additional time to tackle those challenges. Ignoring his request, the government pressured Utzon into starting construction in 1959, two years ahead of the architect's proposed schedule.The lack of preparation soon backfired. After the completion of the grand podium with an enormous, 86 meter (282ft) wide stair, several years were spent reworking the design of the roof, something that should have been done before ground was broken. In 1961 Utzon revised the scheme for the 'sails', defining them as slices of a sphere with a 300ft (91m) diameter. The shells were built from pre-cast concrete sections clad with white glazed tiles.Unfortunately the roof shells were too heavy for the supporting columns that were already built, so these were demolished and rebuilt. These and several other setbacks led to delays and increasing cost overruns. Utzon now faced a hostile press and a government reluctant to continue the project. Politician Robert Askin exploited the public's fears about the project's escalating costs. After he was elected premier of New South Wales in 1965, Askin attempted to force Utzon reduce costs by withholding payments. In 1966 Utzon resigned and returned to his native Denmark. He never even returned to see his masterpiece completed.

The construction of the Sydney Opera House was now handed over to a group or Australian architects. Fortunately the exterior had already been completed by then so that the impact of the altered design on the overall structure was minimal. The project was finally completed in 1973. Its total cost amounted to an astronomical A$102 million, almost 15 times the estimated budget.

Funding
Funds were largely provided by a 'Opera House Lottery'. Since public fund raising campaigns failed to produce sufficient funding, the lottery was created as an alternative source of funds in 1958, before construction had started. The lottery was prolonged as long as construction lasted.

A New Landmark
The financial problems and political disputes were soon forgotten after the Sydney Opera House opened on 20 October 1973. The opera house put Sydney on the world map, both architecturally and culturally. Its events attract some two million visitors each year, making it one of the world's most popular cultural institutions.

Frauenkirche

East of the Marienplatz is the landmark which features on most of Munich's postcards: the Frauenkirche or Church of Our Lady.

The foundation stone was laid by Duke Sigismund in 1468. The building measures 109 meters (358ft) high and is 40 meters (131ft) wide. Its distinctive domes, which were built in 1525 would serve as a model for many of Bavaria's towers.

The Building
The church is huge but simple. Much of the original gothic interior has been destroyed or removed partially by contra-reformists. In the crypt, you will find the tombs of the Wittelsbach family, where many dukes and bisshops are buried.One of the most interesting things inside the church is the memorial grave in black marble of Prince Elector Kurfürst Maximilian I.

Footprint of the Devil
Also inside the church is the 'footprint of the devil'. According to the legend, the architect of the Frauenkirche, Jörg von Halsbach, promised the devil you could not see a window from the inside of the church. In return, the devil would help him build the Frauenkirche.After he completed the building, the architect led the devil to the middle of the church from where you could not see a single window, although all churchgoers would sit in an area where a lot of light came through the windows. The devil would have stamped his foot with so much rage that his footprint was visible in the stone floor.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the heart of the city of Munich. In the Middle Ages, the square used to be a market place as well as the place where tournaments and festivities took place.

In 1807 Marienplatz's market moved to the nearby Viktualienmarkt, but the square still continued to be the city's focal point. Important public events such as tournaments or executions were still held here.The square was originally known as Schrannen but it was renamed Marienplatz (St. Mary's Square) as a way to ask Virgin Mary to protect the town from a cholera epidemic.

Mariensäule
The large column at the center of the square is known as the column of St. Mary. It was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish invasion. The statue is topped by a gilded statue of Virgin Mary which was sculpted earlier, in 1590 by Hubert Gerhard. At each corner of the column's pedestal is a statue of a putti, created by Ferdinand Murmann. The four putti's symbolize the city's overcoming of war, pestilence, hunger and heresy.

New Town Hall
The square is dominated by the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus). The monumental, 79 meters (259ft) high town hall was built between 1867 and 1909 by Georg Joseph Hauberrisser in Flemish Gothic style to alleviate the overcrowded Altes Rathaus nearby.

Carillon
At 11, 12 and 17 o'clock each day, visitors can watch the famous Glockenspiel or carillon. The figures perform the Schläffertanz or cooper's dance, which was originally performed in 1517 at the Marienplatz to commemorate the end of the plague.

Fischbrunnen
Right near the Altes Rathaus is a small fountain, the Fischbrunnen or Fish Fountain. Originally designed by sculptor Konrad Knoll in 1864, the fountain was completely destroyed during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1954.

Old Town Hall
The original Old Town Hall or Altes Rathaus was completely destroyed by fire in 1460. Between 1470 and 1480, the old town hall was rebuilt in Gothic style by Jörg von Halsbach (who was also responsible for the Frauenkirche). The building was completely destroyed again during the second world war, but rebuilt afterwards following the original 15th century plans.

Römerberg

The Römerberg is the central square in Frankfurt's Altstadt (Old Town). For most visitors this is the first stop on their trail.

Trade Fairs
Starting in the 12th century, large trade fairs were held on the Römerberg, drawing visitors and merchants from as far as Italy and France. Some of the fairs like the Frankfurt Book Fair are still being held, although they moved a long time ago from the square to new facilities. The Römerberg was also the site of all kind of festivities, most importantly those celebrating the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperors, who were crowned in the town hall, the 'Zum Römer' or Römer in short.

Ostzeile
The east side of the square, opposite the Römer is known as the Ostzeile. This row of picturesque half-timbered houses are reconstructions of the original 15th and 16th century houses. In March of 1944 bombardments flattened the whole historic district, including the Römerberg. Some of the historic buildings, like the Römer, were reconstructed soon after the war. The Ostzeile however wasn't rebuilt until 1983.

Historisches Museum
Models of the Römerberg can be seen at the Historisches Museum, just south of the Römerberg. It shows the history of Frankfurt, including the destruction after the war. The museum also features a large model of the city in the Middle Ages.

Alte Nikolaikirche
In front of the Historisches Museum is the Alte Nikolaikirche, a small early gothic church built in 1290. It was used as the court chapel for the emperors until the 15th century. A carillon of 35 bells chimes every day at 9:05, 12:05 and 17:05.

Fountain of Justice
The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Fountain of Justice) at the center of the square was built in 1543. The statue of goddess Justitia, holding the scales of justice but without her usual blindfold, faces the Römer.