Pasing has its own Marienplatz with the appendant column of virgin Mary. Munich's largest western district is also one of the oldest settlings of the city. Population can be traced back to 2000 B.C. due to discoveries of cairns. Pasing was first mentioned as Villa Pasingas in 763 and only suburbanized in 1938. Even today Pasing is virtually independent from Munich with its own  infrastructure and a real local feels more like a "Pasinger" than a "Münchner".

The Würm river pervades Pasing coming from the south and is partially led into the Pasing canal at the station. The latter leads from Pasing via Obermenzing to the Nymphenburger Schlosspark, and feeds the Nymphenburger Kanal, the fountain in the flower bed and the Nymphenburg-Biedersteiner canal. Similar to Englischer Garten the Pasinger Park represents the green grüne lung of Munich west. The wide meadows alternate with groves and the Würm river is artificially impounded into several small lakes.

Famous German writers Erich Kästner and Michael Ende have found eternity in Obermenzing, Kästner with a memorial and Michael Ende with a small museum in the Blutenburg castle. But not only they have found a home in the 15th century water castle, but also the international youth library, concert hall and the restaurant „Schlossschänke Blutenburg“ with a lake terrace and seats in the castle's courtyard.

Although almost all of the city's west is ruled by railroad lines and big industry it has kept many green oases. Many of the settlings in Allach, Lochhausen, Langwied and Aubing are marked by small (semi)-detached houses and dthe gastronomy is as well down-to-earth. Outside the city limits, passing the Langwieder See, which is situated at motorway A8 and one of the most popular recreation areas in Munich's hot summers, you will find the tavern "Zum Haderecker", which is part of Olching. Enjoy the fresh and crusty canards in this inviting place with its sunny terrace.

Following a legend the small borough became a place of pilgrimage in 1733. A maidservant of the court's farmer fell heavily ill and in this condition she spoke: "If I was given help by the woman in the oak tree, I would crawl from the field to the oak tree and pray below it". And so it happened and the maid got well again and Maria Eich famous beyond the city's limits. Willi Heide, ex-speaker of the Munich Oktoberfest-makers and owner of the restaurant Heide-Volm in Planegg pilgrimages to the church every September, donates a votive candle and prays for good weather during the Oktoberfest.

A nice stop in Munich's west is the "Forsthaus Kasten" on the way from Neuried to Gauting. The amply beer garden offers Bavarian specialties and a large playground as well as grazing sheep make up a paradise for the little ones.

by Dietmar Stanka