Stretching along the river Würm, Planegg beckons with a blend of history and modern allure. Planegg, a municipality in the district of Munich, holds stories within its borders. Today, we will explore Planegg’s past, present, and hidden charms.
Planegg’s tale begins in 1409. It was then that Planegg appeared in written records, marking its sale to Bavarian Duke Wilhelm III. He acquired neighboring villages turning Planegg into a stronghold of the Würm valley.
The castle of Planegg stands as a testament to this history. Originally fortified between 1415 and 1420, the castle evolved over centuries. In 1617, the Chapel of St. Magdalena was added. A copper engraving from 1701 reveals a complex structure adorned with a signature onion dome. Around 1730, further expansion gave the castle its current Baroque appearance. The castle grounds, initially designed in the French style, transitioned to an English landscape style around 1800.
The late 19th century brought a new wave of change to Planegg. Its mild climate and the Würm’s pure waters drew people seeking a healthier lifestyle. The 1854 opening of the Pasing-Starnberg railway further connected Planegg. Residents from Munich flocked to Planegg for rest.
By 1930, Planegg’s growth necessitated a new place of worship. The church at Martinsried could no longer accommodate the increasing population. Planegg continued to evolve as a hub for scientific research. The Max Planck Institutes for Biochemistry and Psychiatry gained international recognition. Scientists working there earned three Nobel Prizes. Adolf Butenandt won for Chemistry in 1936. He researched and isolated sex hormones. Feodor Lynen, namesake of Planegg’s secondary school, shared the Physiology and Medicine prize in 1964. His work focused on fatty acid metabolism. Robert Huber completed the trio, sharing the Chemistry Prize in 1988. He worked to understand the 3-dimensional structure of the reaction site in photosynthesis.
Today, Martinsried houses research labs and departments of the Ludwig Maximilian Science University of Munich. Planegg enjoys a privileged location. It lies between Munich and the Bavarian Alps. In good weather, you can see the Alps with the Zugspitze.
Getting to Planegg is convenient. The S-Bahn line S6 provides easy access to Munich within 20 minutes. Planegg is twinned with four towns. Meylan, France, Bärenstein, Saxony, Klausen, South Tyrol and Didcot, England.
Planegg offers a blend of historical charm and modern convenience. Planegg continues to evolve.