Perhaps you have noticed the green expanse cutting through the urban landscape. This is the Denninger Anger, a green space that provides fresh air to Munich. The Denninger Anger stretches from Richard-Strauss-Strasse to the Munich airport railway line. It covers parts of Bogenhausen, Denning, and Zamdorf.
The Denninger Anger is more than just a park. It is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character. The western part in Bogenhausen is the oldest. Developed in the early 1960s, it expanded after the Arabellapark construction in the 1980s. This area is a classic city park. It features rolling hills, well-maintained paths, benches, trees, shrubs, and lawns. You will find two allotment gardens near Schreberweg. The Rothof sports field is located on Weltenburger Strasse. Additionally, the facilities of TS Jahn Munich are nearby.
The central part of the Denninger Anger lies in Denning. Locals often call it Pühnpark. This section is the least developed. Narrow paths wind through fields and meadows. To the east, you will find the Wagenburg “Hin und Weg” and the Nakibo nature kindergarten.
The eastern part of the Denninger Anger is in Zamdorf. It was completed in 1993. The Zamilapark settlement was built to the south between 1983 and 1991. Sometimes, people refer to this park section as Zamilapark itself. It features a geology garden showcasing Bavarian rock types. There is a small lake called Zamila-See with a lakeside restaurant. A sports facility is also here. In the mid-90s, it was named Bavaria’s most beautiful green space.
Did you know the Denninger Anger played a role in local politics? The construction of the Zamilapark settlement led to a political controversy. It became known as the “Baulandgeschenk” or “Zamdorfer Grundstücksaffäre”.
Denning itself has a rich history. Romans settled the area around the first to mid-third century CE. A villa rustica with a bathhouse was discovered here in 1928. Denning was first mentioned in documents around 1200 as Tenningen or Danningen. Around 1800, Denning was a hamlet with four farms. Only the Alte Kernhof remains today.
In the 19th century, the Obermaier Kiesquetschwerks mined clay for brick production. These bricks were used to build structures like the Ludwigskirche. After the clay ran out, the pits were used for gravel extraction. By the late 1960s, residential developments sprang up south of Denninger Strasse. Because Denning’s buildings were generally low, they were called Denninger Hochhäuser. The former gravel plant stood on Denninger Strasse until around 2000.
Today, the Denninger Anger offers walking and jogging routes. A crushed stone path creates a roughly 2-mile loop through trees, hedges, and grass. This green space is popular with locals and dog owners. So, as you explore this greenway, remember that the Denninger Anger provides a vital connection to nature within Munich.