Cultural Center, Munich Gasteig

Equipped with the very latest in conference technology, this modern cultural and conference center, completed in 1985, was designed by the architects Carl F. Raue, Eike Rollenhagen, Gerd Lindemann and Günter Grossman. Located at Gasteig - from "gachem Steig", meaning steep path (to Haidhausen) - it stands near the site of the old Bürgerbräukeller, which became notorious during the Third Reich and boasted the largest banqueting hall in Munich.

The bunker-like building with its glazed, brick-effect facade is home to the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Richard Strauss Conservatoire, the Volkshochschule (adult education center) and the City Library. Amply endowed with space the Center offers the best in facilities for all kinds of events. It is visited by more than two million people annually. The Philharmonic Orchestra alone is always fully booked, apart from one or two days in the year.

Cultural Center Map

Related Attractions

Philharmonie

The Philharmonie, the largest and most striking of the Gasteig's several auditoriums, seats up to 2,500 people. Highly praised for its accoustics the hall also features a built-in system of endlessly modifiable platform drops.

Carl-Orff-Saal

The Carl-Orff-Saal, with seating for audiences of 470 to 590 persons, is intended for a variety of uses, but mainly hosts musical events.

Black Box

The 120- to 240-seat Black Box caters for the more high-brow theatrical performances, seminars and concerts.

Kleiner Konzert-saal

Although sometimes used for lectures as well, the Small Concert Hall (130-190 seats) is primarily devoted to music, with popular studio, lunchtime and evening concerts.

Other Auditoriums

Library lecture theater (136-seater), choir practise hall (230sq.m./2,475sq.ft, with adjustable seating), ground floor multi-purpose hall (110sq.m./1,184sq.ft), adult education center teaching hall (ground floor; 70 seats), adult education center lecture theater (ground floor; 99 seats), Richard Strauss Conservatoire lecture theater.

Foyer

The Gasteig foyer, some 1,300sq.m./14,000sq.ft in area, running the length of the building, is used for exhibitions, video shows and discussions as well as social events. The glazed exterior ensures a well-lit space.

Outside features

The Gasteig Center in Munich has a number of impressive outside features, in particular the boulevard-like Forum enclosed by the building's glass facade. An area of some 3,570sq.m/38,430sq.ft, it is used for a variety of events.

Adorning the Center's south front are a 28m/92ft steel stela by Alf Lechner and an elliptical disc by Rupprecht Geiger; on the southeast side of the complex is a fountain, shaped like a huge wind instrument.

GEMA

The imposing building to the east of the Cultural Center is the Bavarian headquarters of GEMA, the organization responsible for musical copyright etc.