Celebrities, Mansions, and Curious Stories: Munich's Surprising Bogenhausen

Bogenhausen is considered one of Munich’s most exclusive neighborhoods: tree-lined streets, stately villas, long-established affluence, and prominent names continue to shape its character to this day. But this district on the high banks of the Isar has far more to tell than stories of glamour, wealth, and grand facades. After all, Bogenhausen wasn’t always an upscale neighborhood. Famous personalities lived and worked here; several well-known Munich residents are buried in the small cemetery near St. Georg; and many of the stories surrounding the villas are sure to surprise even die-hard Munich locals.

So: What do Thomas Mann, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, and “Monaco Franze” have to do with Bogenhausen? And what other stories are hidden among the beautiful houses?

Our discount partner, Herz und Heimat Stadtführungen, takes you on a walk through Bogenhausen and reveals some of the stories hidden behind the beautiful facades and famous names.

1. Celebrity Cemetery - Why So Many Famous Munich Residents Are Buried Here
2. Thomas Mann - The Villa Where Thomas Mann Learned He Had Won the Nobel Prize
3. Hildebrandhaus - Where Röntgen, Richard Strauss, and Others Met
4. From Village to Villa District
5. A Curious Tour Anecdote - Hardly Anyone Knows This Story

Celebrity Cemetery - Why So Many Famous Munich Residents Are Buried Here

In the heart of Bogenhausen lies a cemetery that, at first glance, seems almost unremarkable. It certainly isn’t large. But the list of people who have found their final resting place here is all the more remarkable.

Buried in the cemetery near St. Georg are, among others, writers, actors, artists, and other well-known figures: Erich Kästner, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Helmut Fischer, Liesl Karlstadt, Oskar Maria Graf, and Bernd Eichinger are among them. Anyone strolling along the narrow paths between the graves will therefore come across quite a few names familiar from Munich’s city history or from film, literature, and culture.

But why here, of all places?

The cemetery belongs to the old parish church of St. Georg and is thus located in the heart of the historic part of Bogenhausen. Many of these well-known figures had a personal or professional connection to Munich and chose this special place. Today, the small cemetery is therefore almost like a piece of Munich’s cultural history under the open sky.

Photo: Herz und Heimat Stadtführungen

Thomas Mann - The Villa Where Thomas Mann Learned He Had Won the Nobel Prize

When people think of Thomas Mann, they probably think of great literature rather than Bogenhausen. In fact, however, the writer spent many years of his life here in Herzogpark, which was one of Munich’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods at the time.

In 1909, Thomas Mann had a spacious villa built there for himself and his family. The Mann family lived in the house for nearly two decades before Thomas Mann received some special news in 1929: he had won the Nobel Prize in Literature. And where did he find out? Right here, in his villa in Bogenhausen.

Unfortunately, the villa was severely damaged during World War II and later demolished. Today, a new building stands on this site, modeled after the original plans.

Hildebrandhaus - Where Röntgen, Richard Strauss, and Others Met

More than 100 years ago, Bogenhausen was already a popular gathering place for Munich’s artistic and cultural scene. A great example of this is the Hildebrandhaus on Maria-Theresia-Straße.

The magnificent villa was built in the early 20th century for the sculptor Adolf von Hildebrand and his family. But the house was not only a residence; it was also a gathering place for Munich’s high society. Artists, scientists, and other well-known figures came and went here.

Among the guests were Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and the composer Richard Strauss.

Today, the Hildebrandhaus is home to the Monacensia, the City of Munich’s literary archive. The building has thus retained its connection to Munich’s cultural life to this day.

Photo: Streetflash von Getty Images

From Village to Villa District

Bogenhausen was originally a small farming village outside Munich’s city limits. It wasn’t until 1892 that the village was incorporated into Munich. At that time, the village still consisted of relatively few houses and predominantly agricultural properties.

That changed rather quickly. With its incorporation into Munich and the city’s expansion, Bogenhausen began to develop into a popular residential neighborhood. What was once a small village evolved into a neighborhood with many faces. Prestigious villas replaced farms, new streets were laid out, and affluent Munich residents were drawn to the Isar. Even today, amid the magnificent villas and upscale addresses, you can still find corners that evoke the old village. However, if you don’t look closely, you’ll quickly walk right past them.

A Curious Tour Anecdote - Hardly Anyone Knows This Story

The “Walk with Heart and Home” city tours aren’t just about famous residents and magnificent villas—they’re also about the little things behind the big stories. Bogenhausen has never been just a neighborhood for the “big shots.” Here you’ll find drama, happy coincidences, change, and contradictions—and that’s exactly what gives this neighborhood its special charm. If you look more closely, you’ll discover, behind its posh reputation, a vibrant part of Munich full of history, stories, and surprising facets.

For example, you’re sure to be unfamiliar with this little anecdote: In the cemetery stands the tomb of Johann von Lamont, director of the Sternwarte. He is depicted there as a half-figure, covered in patina, though his open right hand is polished to a shine. How so?

Lamont died in 1879 and is said to have stipulated in his will that, from a bequest he set aside for this purpose, the sexton should place a few small coins in the hand each day as a donation to the poor schoolchildren at the nearby school. Is it true? In any case, coins still appear from time to time in the open bronze hand, and schoolchildren still stop by to take a look. Whether they’re still as destitute today as they were 150 years ago, we’ll leave that open to question. 😉

Photo: Herz und Heimat Stadtführungen

Come along and see for yourself - starting September 18, 2026

Has Bogenhausen piqued your interest? Then join us starting September 18 and discover this exciting and charming Munich neighborhood together with Herz und Heimat Stadtführungen (in german only), and learn many more interesting stories and facts!