If you look at the results of a Google image search on "Munich" you'll see a lot of cityscapes, specifically the Rathaus (town hall), Frauenkirche (the most famous church here), and then a smattering looks of the BWM tower, sports stadium, etc.
I took a photo-walk of the city (in Summer) with the intention of looking at more detail -- the figures carved in / placed on buildings, rather than the whole structure. I soon realized that an afternoon is much too short -- so many buildings have intricate designs, and some literally have dozens of statues on top or figures along the side. In this post I'll share a few things I found along the way.
I espeically like the fountain in front of the Rathaus. Dramatic scenes of battle, probably telling the story of a myth or stylization of a biblical event. I should look this stuff up -- there's probably books dedicated to such details...
In this shot you can even see the Glockenspiel in the background. (Note: There is really deep focus because I was using a compact camera -- can't get much bokeh.)
My fifth grade English teacher would want to know all the symbolism here. Until then, I'll just appreciate the visuals.
Update (19 April 2011): I did finally find info about these figures. As usual, Wikipedia to the rescue. It says that at each corner of the base of the Mariancolumn (the column is in front of the Rathaus on Marienplatz) is a statue of a putto (cherub). Each of the four putti are slaying a different beast, representing the city overcoming adversity of war (a lion), pestilence (a cockatrice), hunger/famine (a dragon), and heresy (a serpent). None of my Munich friends knew this and were happy to learn with me.
As you walk more into the shopping district, the figures get less serious and more colorful, fun. This guy represents a traditional cooper, or barrel maker. You see the ring in his hand, which presumably would become part of a barrel. (Probably beer barrel in Munich!) At the bottom reads: Schäffler Eck., or "Cooper Corner". There are others figures about in this style that represent other trades or roles (I think there's a town jester somewhere out there too... got to find him).
I don't remember where I shot our friend here, but he stood out because he is so simple and rustic. Has a very different feel than the usually ornate carvings and figures found in Munich. He's also found along one of the main shopping streets... and who doesn't want to be blessed while searching for the perfect jacket?
He is the one figure in the post that I never could find the background on. Will keep looking.
This last one always amuses me. It is right on the main shopping street Kaufinger Strasse. This guy is 2 stories up, and on the end of a long beam. I have no clue as to who he might be or represent, but he's been watching over shoppers for as long as I've been in Munich. It looks like he has a security camera on him!
Update (19 April 2011): Again, I finally figured this one out too. This is the "man with outspread arms" created by the artist Stephan Balkenhol. The Kaufingertor group of shops opened in 1994, but this guy went up in 2007 as an invitation to 'relaxed shopping'. It appears to have worked -- on Saturdays the Kaufingerstrasse is completely packed, and is the home of Late Night Shopping festival!
Sometimes one gets immune to the things you see every day. In Germany/Europe, it is the old churches and buildings, but day in/day out one tends to gloss over the details. It's nice to take a fresh look at the little things.