Beneath Munich’s sky, a school stands tall. The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It holds stories of growth and change.
The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium has a rich history. It began at the start of the 20th century. Munich was growing fast. More people meant more students. The existing five Gymnasien were overcrowded. They were designed for 400 to 500 students. But each held 700. The city council decided to build a new one.
In 1906, they agreed. A sixth college was approved. Some worried about leaving outer Munich behind. But they moved forward. They chose a spot near Hackerbruecke. It was easy to reach by public transport.
The first stone was laid on September 17, 1906. They had to work fast. The school needed to open the next year. It was finished just in time. Prince Luitpold named it Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium.
The building was praised. It was a modern design. It showed genuine German style. The first year had 490 students. They were divided into 13 classes. Each had about 50 students. The first students graduated in July 1908.
Over the years, the Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium changed. In 1934 and 1935, it got bigger. A modern gym hall was added. But in 1944, bombs destroyed the gym hall. After the war, it reopened. It became a College for the Humanities. The gym hall was rebuilt in 1958 and 1959. The old building was fixed up in 1963 and 1964.
In 1965, the City of Munich took over. The inside was redecorated. It was now a College for Humanities and Modern Languages. Girls were allowed starting in 1974 and 1975. An annex was added in 1980 and 1981. The schoolyard got a new design in 1987 and 1988. A basement theater opened.
The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium formed partnerships. One was with Kreuzschule Dresden in 1990 and 1991. The school’s art gallery, PS2, opened in 1997 and 1998. A special program called “European College” started in 1999 and 2000. The school café opened in 2001 and 2002. A “Room of Silence” was added in 2002 and 2003.
In 2004, a new library opened. In 2008, the school worked with the German Aerospace Center. The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. Special choir classes started in 2013. These were in cooperation with the Munich Dom-Singschule. Spanish became a regular subject in 2014.
Today, the Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium focuses on languages. Latin is the first. English is the second. Students can choose French or Greek as a third language. Older students can switch Latin for Spanish. They can also take Italian.
About 700 students attend. There are about 50 teachers. There are also teacher trainees. This makes it feel like a family. Classes usually have fewer than 28 students. The school promotes motivation. It encourages independence and creativity. It values responsibility and respect.
The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium offers student exchanges. They go to France and Italy. They also go to Boston. Students in year 12 take a trip. They visit places like Madrid, Rome, Dublin, London, or Provence.
The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium stands as a beacon. It represents education and growth. It has seen Munich change. It has adapted to the times. This school continues to shape young minds. It prepares them for the future. It is a place where students learn and grow. They develop into responsible citizens. The Wittelsbacher-Gymnasium is more than a school. It is a part of Munich’s heart.