Hitler’s Third Reich Munich Free Tour: the “Capital of the Movement”

Long before Berlin became the Nazi regime’s center, it was in Munich—dubbed the “capital of the movement”—that National Socialism took root. From beer halls steeped in political unrest to today’s memorials, the city’s streets reflect the rise and fall of the Third Reich.

Munich was where the Nazi party was born, where Hitler staged his failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, and where the party later built its headquarters, crafted its ideology, and held massive rallies. But Munich also witnessed courageous resistance, most notably from the White Rose student group who opposed the regime at great risk.

Our tour traces this complex past, visiting sites of Nazi propaganda, discussing daily life under the regime, and reflecting on both the crimes committed and the post-war culture of remembrance that defines modern Germany.

Walking through today’s vibrant Munich—with its beer gardens and art galleries—it’s hard to imagine the fear that once gripped the city. But by revisiting these stories, we deepen our understanding of Munich and the broader forces that shaped 20th-century history.