Au-Haidhausen

Au-Haidhausen is Munich's fifth borough and stretches along the eastern bank of the Isar River. The borough is made up of two districts, Au and Haidhausen. Part of Au sits on the river floodplain and part on the high bank above it, while Haidhausen lies entirely on the Isar's high terrace. Historically, both areas were lodging districts for craftsmen and day laborers; they were incorporated into the city in 1854 and developed into working-class suburbs during the Gründerzeit, Germany's period of rapid industrial expansion in the late 19th century. The area's many breweries once played a special role here, finding ideal conditions for deep wells and storage cellars on the high bank on the right side of the Isar. Today only a few relics, such as the Hofbräukeller and the Paulaner am Nockherberg restaurant, recall that era, as the large breweries have moved to other parts of the city.

The two districts developed quite differently. Au was heavily destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the 1950s with simple residential buildings, so only a small share of its buildings today date from before the war. Haidhausen, by contrast, largely preserved its historic cityscape, especially the Gründerzeit-era French Quarter (Franzosenviertel). Urban renewal projects in the 1970s transformed the neighborhood from a suburb into a popular scene district that rivals Schwabing. The mix of uses has shifted as well, from a blend of homes and small businesses to a residential area dominated by services.

For visitors, the borough offers a rich variety of culture. The Gasteig cultural center brings the central library, the adult education center, the conservatory, and the Philharmonic together under one roof. Nearby is the Muffatwerk, a former Art Nouveau power station that now serves as an event venue. Munich's oldest power station still in operation, the Maximilianswerk, can also be found in the Maximiliansanlagen park. Traditional events such as the Auer Dult fair on Mariahilfplatz and the strong beer tapping at Nockherberg shape local life. Haidhausen is also home to important institutions, including the Bavarian State Parliament in the Maximilianeum and the Klinikum rechts der Isar hospital.