Did you know that the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (a favourite of mine since I was about 6) was filmed mostly in Munich? Luckily I had a feeling about it and checked a few days BEFORE travelling, otherwise I would have been most vexed.
On Friday I got a Munich guidebook, and a £1.50 dvd of said film, and made everyone watch it that evening, while noting down descriptions of the the various external locations.
It seems the famous Wonka factory gates are actually (built on) those of the Gas Works, and are still standing, so that's something to see. Not content with that, I want to see the other locations too. Someone else found the one used for a reporter's position, so that's easy enough too. Somewhat absent from the published findings are Charlie's school, and Bill's Candy Shop.
Sounds like a challenge...
The fog was very dense at 04:00 as I set off for Heathrow, but if Charlie can overcome obstacles then so can I. The off-site parking was easy to find and use, and the reception and drivers helpful and friendly (always nice at 05:00!). We were a little delayed taking off but not too bad, and one bonus from the fog was a picture of Canary Wharf, an island in a sea of white mist. Epic.
I arrive at Munich (yes I know the announcer said we were arriving INTO Munich but he's a poophead) and got a week-long train/subway ticket. At Marienplatz in the city centre I am immediately rewarded with some towers :)
I stroll 10 minutes to the hotel and deposit my bags (bit early to check in yet)
St. Peter's church - huge and impressive, and with impeccable timing I arrive back here to hear the glockenspiel and see the mechanical figures in procession.
I go in, hoping to get up the 308 steps to the top, and am reminded that the Olympics were held here in 1972 - yes I still have the commemorative glass - in my suitcase!
Ornate tower in the interior
High towers!
Highest tower!!
I DON'T BELIEVE IT!
Better luck another time
I am still on the hunt for arched/columned walkways,
to match a scene where Charlie is running
home with the Golden Ticket.
Frauenkirche
She's having some work done
on one of her... assets
Alpine fare - yum
Behind is an ice rink.
So THAT'S what happened to
the Airwolf helicopter!
Recycling indeed.
Zamboni in action
Big building - forget which. Oops
Arches! Still not right ones
Epic Citroen - back
and front - obviously.
Another church tower
- a bit like Charlie's school
- but not quite.
More arches.
This is the closest so far,
but still not exactly right.
Screen shot of arches
semi-rama
Quirky sculpture
Quirky house!
Metal tree - bit like the one in
Washington DC
Tree house...
but so much more!
Looks like a rope ladder
and CAT LADDERS!!!
One to ground,
another to upstairs.
EPIC
Charlie's 'school'
Actually we located this last night
with help from Google images,
Google Maps, Google StreetView
plus GoogleEarth.
Thanks Google!!
This is where the first bunch
of children appear.
Then door opens...
Lastly more emerge from here
Down the steps they go...
Rushing off to the Candy Shop
This is the closest I could get to the
movie opening shot. I suspect an
2nd or 3rd floor room was
used for the real shot.
Screen shot from movie.
Reminds me of Habitat 67
Octoship!
On way back to hotel I spot
two penny farthings.
Or is that one twopenny farthing?
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